Page 18 of Rejected Pretend Mate

"Are you...going to get dressed?" I asked, waving a hand toward his towel. "Or do you normally walk around with a towel?"

He looked down at his towel and then back up at me. "Sorry. I was going to get dressed. I thought you had left. I didn't realize you were still out here."

I wanted to ask if he normally walked around naked, but I didn't. I could picture him as the type to hang around his apartment naked. He was high enough up that people couldn't see in.

I watched as he turned and headed back down the hallway. I turned my attention to the eggs. I started scooping them onto a plate. I slid the plate across the island for him.

I took a sip of my coffee and waited for Weslie to come back. Weslie came back wearing a pair of jeans and a deep red shirt. He took a seat at the island and looked at the eggs. His eyebrows went up as he turned the plate.

"I added salt and pepper for seasonings. I wasn't entirely sure how you liked your eggs."

He took a bite of the eggs and nodded his head. "They're good."

I scooped my eggs up and took a bite. I took a sip of my coffee and glanced outside the windows. I had to hand it to him. The apartment was nice. It wasn't large, but it was clean andupdated. And the view—it was pretty breathtaking. I would buy the place just for that alone. It looked over the town, and when the sun went down, the town twinkled with life.

"Nice view, isn't it?" Weslie said, noticing I was staring. "I wasn't sure about the apartment since it is small, but that view was worth it."

"It is," I said, looking back at him. I took in his outfit, seeing he was dressed for work. "Are you going to be at work all day?"

"Yeah, and running to get groceries afterward. What about you? Got a busy day planned for yourself?"

I applied at the bank but haven't heard anything back. I was thinking of calling and seeing if they were interested in setting up an interview. I should look at other places to apply and really try to get a job. I needed one. I could watch only so much TV before I was sick of it.

I looked through the newspaper, but nothing piqued my interest.

"I don't know yet." I took a bit of my eggs and watched as he shifted in his chair. He looked uncomfortable again, and he had bags under his eyes. Had he not been sleeping well? I felt a little bad that I'd been taking the bed. We could share. I didn't mind sleeping on the couch.

"Have you not been sleeping well?" I asked, pointing to his eyes.

He shrugged, taking another bit of his eggs. "The couch isn't that comfortable. I really should have thought about that when I bought it."

I scowled, drumming my fingers on the counter. "Maybe we should be thinking about getting a bigger apartment. I can look while I'm home. Would give me something to do."

He paused and scowled at me. He looked a little insulted. "No."

"But why not? If we got a bigger place, you and I could have our own rooms. We could both have a bed."

He softly sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Because it needs to look like we're happily married, April. While yes, some married couples would look to move into a bigger place for children, we both know this has an end date. When this is over with Ivan, you'll return to your place. It wouldn't be worth it for me to be left with a big place."

I sighed, seeing his point. But I still felt bad. Something had to change. "Well, this isn't working. You look like you haven't been sleeping. We can switch up who has the bed, and I'll sleep on the couch some nights. You should be the one sleeping in the bed since you're the one working."

He shook his head. "It's fine, April. Just eat your eggs."

I tightened my grip on the fork, suddenly angry. I was just trying to figure out a way for us both to be getting decent sleep. Just because I came into his space didn't mean he needed to suffer.

"I'm just trying to help."

He ran a hand through his hair, taking the last of his eggs into his mouth. He swallowed and leaned back. "Everything is fine. Do you need me to help you look for a job?"

I ground my teeth together. Everything was not fine. It was written on his face. And now I felt like I was a burden.

"No."

I took his plate and mine and tossed them into the sink. I ground my teeth together painfully, not wanting to snap at him. It wasn't his fault my life was a mess.

"Are you sure? I don't mind helping you look."

I turned and crossed my arms, glaring at him. "Why? Do you think I can't find a job on my own? Do I need help with that as well?"

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