Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
I’m not sure what Adam told her about himself—that he’s a ballplayer looking for his own place? Or who she assumes I am—a friend, probably. A boyfriend, possibly.
But Adam’s not quiet for long. He squares his shoulder. “This is…” In slow motion he turns to me, his cheeks splashed with heat. In a heartbeat, I know he’s thinking of last night. Trying to find a definition for what we were, what we are.
It’s borderline entertaining. I could put him out of his misery, but it’s a little too fun.
“I’m his current landlord,” I say innocently.
He snorts, shaking his head in amusement. “And driver,” he adds.
A crease forms in Audrey’s brow, then smooths. “You’re Derek Miller.”
“Nice to meet you.” I offer my hand.
Audrey shakes it. “Okay, let me show you upstairs.”
As she heads across the lobby, I hang back. “You could have told her I’m the guy who made you come hard last night,” I whisper.
Adam rolls his eyes.
I shrug happily. “Can’t argue with the truth.”
He steals a glance at me as we reach the elevator. “True. You can’t.”
We follow Audrey up a long elevator ride to an apartment near the top floor. Once inside, she sweeps out an arm. “Why don’t you both look around? I’ll be here to answer any questions.”
She hangs back as we explore.
The place is nice, though with little in the way of personality beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room that’ll likely provide a good view of the rain for most of the year. We find ourselves staring out of them. Adam’s hands are balled in his pockets the way he does when he’s unsure.
The light mood of the lobby slips away.
The reality of his moving out hits me. That I’ve gotten used to him being around all the time and will be sad to see him gone. I peer at the open concept living room-slash-dining room. “This place might echo, given all the space.”
Adam doesn’t point out that my condo is laid out the same way. “I can get rugs.”
I nod to the windows letting in a stream of mid-morning light. “Might get too bright in here.”
His lips twitch. “In Seattle?”
“You never know. Let’s check it out one more time?” I suggest.
We do another lap of the apartment. The more I look at this place, the more it won’t suit a ballplayer. We need curtains to sleep late, thick walls to cover up parties. Some place like my condo. When we return to the living room I ask, “Do you think this would work for you?” I don’t want to say This place is all wrong for you. Unlike mine. I’ll sound like I’m trying to apartment-block him. A new form of cockblocking where you don’t let your too sexy, too sweet, too thoughtful roomie move out even though you should.
Audrey coughs politely, reminding us she’s there. “What do you think, Adam?”
“Not sure this one is right for me,” Adam says.
I can’t tell if that’s because I said something or if he truly doesn’t like it. Now I feel slightly guilty for bad-mouthing the place. Audrey gives him a professional smile. “I totally understand. We’ll keep looking till you find the right one. Bear in mind the market’s pretty aggressive right now.”
“That’s what I’ve heard.” Adam looks around at the wood floors and high ceilings one more time. “It’s just that generally I like to know a place a little better before I commit.”
“There’s a good chance it won’t be available if you take your time. No pressure. But we do need to remember that,” she says.
Adam frowns, like he’s been called out by a teacher for wasting the class’s time. “Would it be helpful if I gave you a clearer list of what I’m looking for?”
She nods, overeager. “A more detailed list would be very helpful.” And he smiles at that, until she adds, “Perhaps one both of you contribute to.”
I blink.
Adam flinches. But he glances at me for a hot second, looking equal parts amused and abashed. Then he turns back to her. “Of course. We can make a list,” Adam assures her.
“If you’re not ready to decide, I have another couple coming to see the place later who are in a hurry to buy,” she says. Another couple. Neither of us corrects her.
I don’t want to.
I hope that’s his excuse too.
Audrey shows us two more places. Adam finds something wrong with one of them. I find something wrong with the other one.
And we go to the ballpark for a game with no more prospects than we started with. But at least we win the game.
11
Adam
That night at Derek’s condo, I deal with reality.
Three failed apartments today.
And it was my damn idea to look for one ASAP. I’m the one who said this morning I need to move out.
But what did I do? I stalled. I came up with reasons each place was wrong.