I can’t help it. I explode, “I never said you were. I’m just trying to help.”

“Well, I don’t need your help,” she counters, the sadness in her eyes replaced with anger, “I’ll figure it out myself. Like I’ve always done.”

I throw my hands up in frustration. Chloe is sweet, but when she wants to be a stubborn mule, it can get very infuriating.

I lower my voice and try to be calm, “Let me help, Chloe. Can I call the owner of this building to see if I can outbid the buyer?”

Her eyes widen, and she exclaims, "Absolutely not. Don’t do that. I don’t even like this apartment anyway.”

“So, what do you want?”

She deflates, shrugging, “A house of my own, I guess. But it’s completely out of the picture,“ she shakes her head and sighs, “I’ll stay with Fiona until I can figure something out…”

This is the one thing that drives me insane, and not in a good way. Why does she go out of her way to push me away like I don’t matter to her or I can’t be enough for her? How else do I make her realize I’m a part of her support team and that I would be willing to buy her a house if she wishes?

“Stay with me, Chloe,“ I cut in, “Live with me instead. “

She opens her mouth no doubt to protest, but I put my foot down, “There’s lots of space and you’ll be very comfortable.”

She starts to shake her head again, “Kane, I don’t want to bother you…”

“Then come with me,“ I say, extending a hand for her to take. If she disagrees one more time, she can go live with Fiona, but I’m happy to buy her a house and give it to her as a birthday present.

She seems to read the determination in my eyes because she swallows and gingerly places her hand in mine. “Fine, I’ll come with you,“ she agrees.

That wasn’t so hard, was it?

“Good,” I praise and pull her in for a hug. This time, I feel her body relax visibly.

I look over her shoulder to see Skye playing by one of the living room windows, completely oblivious to how close she came to losing her home.

But I’ve got her and her mother. I’m not letting anyone down again.

Chapter 15

Chloe

Kiss And Make-Up

After being told to move out of my apartment and nearly becoming homeless, I’m now living in an expensive home that costs millions of dollars, thanks to Kane.

The Day Before

Kane helps me move out of the apartment to his house. The movers he hired help me with the furniture, and he helps me with other smaller items. Fiona comes over to help pack my stuff into carton boxes and take them out to load into the mover’s truck. It’s a tiring and painstaking process, but Fiona makes it fun with her endless teasing.

“Let me get this straight. I give you advice, and you follow the steps,” Fiona cackles as she throws the last of my dishes into the box, “You’ve moved past the dating stage right into the living together stage. I’ve got to hand it to you. You move fast!”

“Okay, you’re just being mean,” I retort, “Maybe you’re just jealous I’m going to live with him instead of coming back and living with you.”

She makes a fake crying face, pouting, “Ohhh… He’s already stealing you from me. Never mind, I was the one who gave you the advice that sent you right into his arms.”

Shaking my head at her antics, I pick up the box containing the kitchen utensils and start going downstairs. Fiona follows closely behind, determined not to give me space.

“So, when you finally move in with him, are you two going to be sharing the same bedroom or what?”

I almost drop my box when I turn to face her, “Will you just shut up already? I've told you there is nothing going on between Kane and me.”

“So you guys are like roommates benefit or friends with benefits… Or even better, co-workers with benefits.”