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“It’s very kind of you to offer, Justin.” She gives me her pretty smile, although it’s small. I force my attention back to the road. “But I’m sure your girlfriend wouldn’t exactly be thrilled with me being there.”
I scoff. I don’t think she’s fishing for information…I think she probably has dated information thanks to my sister. “There isn’t a girlfriend to worry about but even if there was… You’re family.” The word feels like lead, falling off my tongue.
My mom and stepdad may look at her as a daughter. My siblings may treat her like a sister.
But I feel everything but brotherly affection toward her.
I’ve fallen for the woman who posts silly memes on her socials.
The woman who laughs in videos of her falling off balance beams and not sticking what she calls “easy” vaults.
The one who doesn’t take herself too seriously when she messes up, but has a work ethic, a passion for her sport, that rivals my own.
“Think about it,” I add. “But if it comes down to it, I’m sure you can stay at the house and use Liv’s car, if you decide to stay in Broomfield.” When she stiffles a yawn, I hit the ‘off’ button for the radio, even though the music was barely audible. “Why don’t you close your eyes?” We’ll get to my parents’ in about a half an hour, so not quite enough time to nap but maybe enough to give her the energy to deal with the family.
Not surprisingly, she doesn’t argue and soon, her arms have relaxed, her hands loose in her lap, as her head rests against the seatback.
The drive to my parents’ is uneventful, and Lennox wakes as soon as I turn into the driveway.
“It’s like my body recognized the drive,” she says around a yawn.
“Memories are funny like that,” I chuckle lightly, putting the SUV in park. “Do you need anything from your carry-on or backpack?” There’s no sense in her bringing them into the house.
She’ll be coming home with me…
Lennox unbuckles and gives me the first look of worry I may have ever seen on her features.
But maybe that’s just the way her face has relaxed with her short nap.
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay at your place? I can pay rent, for as long as I’m there. I don’t want to…I don’t know, mess with whatever you have going on.”
“Promise. I wouldn’t have offered otherwise. Besides, it makes sense. It’s where you need to be.” I hear my words and shake my head. “I mean, not that you need to be at my place. But it’s near the school. Near your job.” Have I ever blundered a speech so spectacularly?
I’m usually smooth with women.
“We can give it a go, I guess. But I’ll be looking for a place straight away tomorrow. After I’ve gotten a solid sleep.”
I won’t argue.
But I wouldn’t mind taking the next days or weeks to convince her it would be okay with me if she stayed.
* * *
It’s nearly eight by the time I walk Lennox into my apartment.
Her reunion and dinner went well, and when her rental falling through was brought up, even Mom suggested it would make sense to stay at my place.
I’m not sure she’d have suggested it if she knew what I was thinking about when it came to her dear Lennox.
But thinking and acting are two different things, and I can absolutely be a gentleman.
Walking down the small hall, I push my hand into the doorway of the spare bedroom, finding the light switch. “This is the room you can take. I just put the furniture together a couple of days ago, so the linen is fresh, but if you want, I can find a different sheet set for you.”
She shakes her head. “No, this is more than fine. I appreciate your help with all of this.”
“Not a problem.” I step to the side to let her into the room. “Do you need anything? The bathroom is right across the hall. There’s only one, unfortunately?—”
“I promise, I’m nothing like Olivia with the bathroom,” Lennox laughs lightly. “I shouldn’t take up too much time or space.”
