Page 20 of Playing With His Heart

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Haven’t you ever heard that three’s a crowd?”

“Hey Jenna, it’s not like that. I promise.”

“Then what is it like, Zayn? Because I don’t think it would be too comfortable for me to be living with my landlord and his girlfriend.”

“She’s not my girlfriend, she’s married.”

“And that makes it better? I think it’s time for you to leave. I’ll let you know when I’ve found something.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Fine, I’ll call the cops. You may own the building, but I pay rent so it’s still my apartment.”

“Jenna, please just listen. The woman that answered my door is a long-time friend of mine. Sheismarried, but happily to one of my best friends. We are not together in any capacity. I hired her to help me make over the spare bedroom so it would be more appealing to you if you chose to move in.”

“No way is she a decorator. She’s too perfect.”

“Not perfect, by any stretch, just used to living well. She knows how to spend her husband’s money, even though she makes plenty of her own.”

“Okay, so maybe I can see why she was there, then. But why was she answering your door? My friends don’t answer my door when they come visit. Not that I have friends.”

“Because I was in my bedroom on the phone. I had no idea you were coming over. I swear the front desk is slacking at their job. Ann was only helping out, and she feels horrible.”

Jenna left the door open for him to come in while she put her cell phone on the counter. If he were really telling the truth, she wouldn’t need to call the police. But should she trust him? Looking back, she should have stayed and demanded to see Zayn and caught him in the middle of something. From what he says, though, she would only have caught him decorating.

When she turned back toward the door, he was still standing in the hallway.

“Does this mean you believe me?”

“I’m trying to figure out whether I should. You might as well come in.”

* * *

Thrilledthat she was letting him come in her apartment, Zayn had convinced himself that she would slam the door in his face when she saw him and he would then go home broken-hearted. Worse yet, having broken the heart of the woman he was really starting to care about. That revelation was a pretty big step for him, that he cared about her. At the same time, though, it felt great. He was more determined than ever to not leave her apartment until she’d forgiven him and he could make things right again.

“Are you hungry?”

Zayn put the bags on the table and unpacked everything. He’d asked for plastic silver wear at the restaurant so things would be easier just in case he got the green light from her.

“I suppose I could eat.” But she didn’t budge. Arms remained crossed over her chest.

“Listen, Jenna. I’m not even real sure where to start. I feel horrible about today, I really do. I never once thought about you showing up at my place. Ishouldhave though, and that’s my fault.”

Jenna shrugged; her features defeated.

“It’s not completely your fault, Zayn. I just figured showing up would cut out any of the anticipation I was feeling about the whole thing. I worry about a lot of things and procrastinate even more. Basically, I couldn’t bring myself to call. Took me from the night before to even decide I was going to show up in the first place. I was afraid if I called, then I’d talk myself out of going.”

“I definitely understand that.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you enough to stick around and find out who the woman was answering your door. Trust me, I thought about it after the fact. I thought that I should have charged in there and given you hell.”

“I wish you would have. I would have deserved it. It’s not your place to apologize. I was wrong to not tell you what I was thinking about doing. It would have cleared up a lot.”

“Well, Mr. Holden, I think we can chalk this up as a learning experience for both of us. You’ve never had anybody live with you obviously, and I’ve never lived with anyone, so we’re both going into this prospect blind.”

She walked away, moving toward the window.

“I need to be honest, though. You’re not at all what I expected or accused you of being. I’ve never known a millionaire before, but I already had a preconceived vision of who you were and I was wrong, so I am sorry for that.”

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