Page 6 of The Fragile One

“Wow, look at how well we already get each other,” she jokes.

I’m feeling more relaxed too. Lindsey will be an easygoing roommate now that we’ve seemed to get the initial awkwardness out of the way.

“I’m going to lie down for a few. The champagne made me tired. I’ll leave you to it.” She smiles at me for a moment before going to her room. I begin unpacking, feeling much better about my decision than I did earlier today.

This will work out just fine.

Chapter three

Lindsey

IhearAidenmovingaround the apartment when I wake up from my nap. Seeing as sleep seems to elude me at night, naps are a lifesaver. Honestly, it doesn’t matter how much coffee there is in the world; if a nap doesn’t happen, I’m dog-tired by dinner, but still won’t sleep through the night. After the kidnapping, I would be lucky to get an hour or two of slumber before the slightest noise would wake me up, then the cycle would start all over again. I went from being blissfully ignorant of the things or people that go bump in the night to hyperaware of anything slightly off, like a car driving down the street of our otherwise quiet neighborhood or a dog barking late at night. That one had me curled up in bed for hours, praying the boogeyman wasn’t right outside my door.

My therapist has done wonders for my acute fears, but I’m still working on being able to leave the apartment without having a full-blown panic attack. The one time I tried with my sister to meet my therapist in the office, it went horribly wrong. The first car we pulled up next to had a brown-haired woman driving. I knew in my head it wasn’t Helen—it couldn’t have been, considering she’s dead—but simply being that close to a stranger with the same color hair as Helen had me shaking and crying, barely coherent in a matter of seconds. We turned around and came home, calling my therapist, all of us agreeing that online video calls were the right decision for a while. That was three months ago. My sleep has improved, but I haven’t tried to leave the apartment again. My therapist hasn’t pushed too hard on the subject, but she’s suggested if I feel ready, she thinks it’s something we can talk about and work on together. Honestly, I have little desire to attempt it. That’s squirreled away in the “things not to think about” file for the time being.

I decide to venture out of my room to see what Aiden’s up to. You know, to make sure he’s figured out where all the essentials are, like the coffee. That’s the worst, not knowing how to work a coffee pot in a new place. Trying to figure it out before you’ve had a cup first thing in the morning is like a sick cosmic joke.

He’s lounging back on the couch in the living room, barefoot and watching sports highlights on TV.

“Don’t tell me this is what I’m going to be forced to watch now that I live with a guy.” He turns off the TV, giving me a wide smile.

“As long as I’m not forced to watch some sappy romance movies, I’ll gladly keep the sports to a minimum,” he replies.

“Nah, no sappy movies for me. I love anything superhero related or action. I love the big shoot ’em up scenes.” I walk into the kitchen to grab a cup of water and smile to myself before I turn back to Aiden.

He gives me a surprised look that I knew would be there. Most guys have that reaction to my taste in movies.

“Well, color me impressed. How about we order some pizza and watch a movie then? I could go for some action tonight,” he says, with no idea how that sounds to my ears.

I know he doesn’t mean it in any sexual way, but I feel the heat creeping up my cheeks. It’s been so long since I’ve had even an inkling of desire, I don’t know how to react. I’m frozen like an idiot for a beat. It’s not as if a guy like Aiden would ever have the faintest interest in me. He’s a no drama or frills kind of guy, and right now I’m nothing but issues.

“Sounds good. How about a large pie with all the meats?” I ask him. Again, his eyebrows rise in surprise, and he gives me a toothy grin.

“You’ve done it again, Lindsey. I thought for sure you would insist on rabbit food on the pizza.” He nods in agreement, while I pretend to gag at the thought of anything green on my pizza.

“I think we’re going to be great roomies after all,” he tells me, still smiling.

He grabs his phone to order the pizza while I pull up Netflix and search for a movie. We settle on an off-beat superhero movie. Like the ones I used to watch with my dad. It’s sure to be cheesy, but I could use a laugh after the emotions that ran through me today.

The pizza arrives, and Aiden pays the delivery kid, giving him a generous tip.

“It’s nice not having to worry about rent for a while. Might as well spread the wealth a little.” He looks at me and lowers his head, clearing his throat. He’s embarrassed by what he said, as if I didn’t know the situation.

“Hey, I know Donovan is paying the rent here for both of us. It’s not a big deal. Not like he can’t afford it.” I’m trying to make him feel less self-conscious about the financial side of our living arrangement. Look at me being a thoughtful roommate. Aiden’s shoulders relax as he carries the pizza to the kitchen and sets it on the counter. It seems to have worked.

He lets out a deep breath. “I wasn’t sure if you knew or not. I didn’t want you to think I was here because of the free rent. Besides, it still makes me uncomfortable staying here without having to pay. I’m not used to living on someone else’s dime.”

That doesn’t surprise me in the least. Aiden strikes me as the type to pay his own way.

“It’s a little strange for me, too,” I tell him. “Since I moved out of my mom’s house, I’ve been fortunate enough not to have to ask for money, but I hustled. Always chasing a story.” The memory makes me a little sad. That was my old life, when I was brave and took risks. The one where I had dreams I was convinced I would fulfill. The one before the mess it is now.

Aiden must sense my mood shift and nudges me in the arm.

“One slice or two?” he asks, opening the pizza box. My maudlin thoughts are quickly forgotten as the delicious scent of meat, cheese, and grease fills my nose and I take a huge whiff of all the pizza goodness.

“Uh, three, please.” I smile at him and grab plates. “Aiden, I’m not one of those salad-eating health nuts. I like meat, cheese, bread, and just about any dessert on the planet. If you think I ordered a large pizza so you could have most of it, think again, pal.”

He laughs and nods.

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