Page 25 of Fierce Lies
Jackson pulled up to the curb and frowned at the building. "Couldn't you find anything in a better area?"
"This was the only place within my budget." I tried to keep the defensiveness out of my voice. "It's not so bad inside."
"I'm sure it isn't." He didn't sound convinced. It was a lie anyway, inside wasn't all that much nicer.
He studied the building for a moment longer before turning off the engine. "I'll walk you to your door."
"You don't have to?—"
"It's a rough neighborhood, Elena." The use of my first name made me pause. "Humor me."
We dashed through the rain to the building's entrance, trying to dodge the waterfall from the broken gutter as best we could. We still got drenched anyway. I fumbled with my keys, finally getting the door open. The lobby light was out again like the first night we were here, leaving the stairwell dimly lit by emergency fixtures.
"Second floor," I said apologetically. "I'm happy to just?—"
"Lead the way." He was not about to walk away, and I knew when to concede.
Jackson followed me up the stairs, his presence solid and reassuring behind me. When we reached my door, I turned to thank him again.
"Thank you, really. I'd hate to have had to call in sick with a cold. I definitely need a shower now though. Would you like to come in for coffee? I can dry your jacket and shirt or something…" My cheeks burned as I tried to stop the words coming out, realizing they could come across suggestive.
He hesitated, then nodded. "Sure."
Crap. What if he thought I wanted something more?
Did I?
I unlocked the door and led him into the small apartment. It was clean but cramped, with a combined living room and kitchen, while a short hallway led to the bedroom and bathroom.
"It's just the one bedroom?" he asked, glancing around as I slipped out of my jacket and hung it on one of the dining chairs.
"Yeah, but Ivy and I are on opposite shifts. She works nights, so it works out. Plus, the sofa pulls out if needed." I moved to the kitchen area. "Make yourself comfortable. I guess I can't just use the dryer for your jacket…" I chewed my cheek as I realized I'd fumbled. The best I could do was use the clothes rack and set it up by the oil heater and hope it would dry it, maybe blot it down with a towel…
"It's okay, coffee is fine." He shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on the back of the other dining chair while I plugged my phone in to charge on the counter.
I filled the kettle and set it on the stove, acutely aware of Jackson taking in my humble living space. The coffee I pulled from the cabinet was store brand, nothing fancy.
"Sorry, I don't have anything better to offer," I said as I measured it into the French press. A splurge purchase from better days.
"This is fine." He leaned against the counter, watching me. "You said you only just moved in?"
"Yeah, on the weekend actually. Hence me still having bags in my car and such. I had a place with my mom out in Shenton, but..." I trailed off, not wanting to get into my financial troubles and my mom's condition.
"But?"
"Life happens." I shrugged. "Sometimes you have to adjust." I glanced around and managed a lopsided, awkward smile. "Do you mind if I change into something dry? I won't take long."
"Of course." He nodded, and I hurried down the hall. I changed in record time, snatching up an oversized sweater I'd gotten for Christmas one year. It was all I had that could possibly fit him. The oil heater did little to actually warm our crappy apartment, and the guilt at being a bad host was gnawing hard now.
The kettle whistled just as I exited the room, and I returned to find Jackson in my kitchen, pouring the hot water over the grounds I'd gotten ready.
"Oh, sorry, I can do—" As I reached for mugs, Jackson moved at the same time, and our hands brushed. The brief contact sent an unexpected tingle through me, and I nearly dropped the mug.
"Sorry," we said in unison, then shared a small laugh.
He stepped aside, allowing me to take over.
"Here, I have this, it's all I have that could fit," I mumbled as I offered him the oversized green Christmas sweater.
