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It was Tillman.
“Whoa!” Tillman held up his hands, palms out. “It’s just me, Laith.”
Laith’s brain needed a moment to catch up to the fact that it wasn’t an intruder. That it was Tillman, the owner, standing in front of him.
“Why are you sneaking around your store like some thief?”
“Lower the candy cane and I’ll tell you.” It looked as if Tillman was fighting a smile.
Laith lowered the candy cane, feeling a bit foolish. “Sorry about that. I heard noises coming from the store and thought someone had broken in.”
Tillman gave an understanding nod. “No need to apologize. I’m glad you came to check it out. Shows you care.” He gestured around the cluttered storage room. “I was just doing some inventory and made a bit of a mess in the process.”
Laith took in the boxes strewn about, some with contents spilled across the floor. “At midnight?”
“Yeah, it’s the only time I can get some uninterrupted work done around here,” Tillman said with a chuckle. “Probably should have locked the front door though. Didn’t mean to cause alarm.”
Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Laith felt exhaustion creeping in. But there was still one thing puzzling him. “Why didn’t you say anything when you heard the bell above the door jingle? You nearly scared me half to death.”
Tillman looked sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Honestly, I didn’t hear it. I was too occupied with what I was doing. Were you really going to confront a burglar with a candy cane?”
Heat flooded Laith’s cheeks. “It was the closest thing I could grab as a weapon,” he muttered.
“A pretty fearsome weapon it was,” Tillman said with a teasing grin. Then his expression turned serious. “Really, though, I appreciate you coming to check on the place. It means a lot.”
Laith felt his cheeks grow even warmer under Tillman’s sincere gaze. “Of course,” he said quietly. “I know how much the store means to you.”
An awkward silence fell between them for a moment before Laith gestured to the mess surrounding them. “Do you, uh, need any help cleaning up?”
Tillman’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You don’t have to do that. It’s late. I’m sure you were about to head to bed before hearing the ruckus down here.”
“I don’t mind, really,” Laith insisted. Truthfully, the thought of returning to his empty apartment held little appeal. He’d much rather spend more time with Tillman, even if it was just sorting candy boxes. “I’m wide awake now anyway.”
“Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind...” Tillman trailed off as he looked at the mess around them.
Laith nodded and began gathering armfuls of spilled treats to sort back into boxes. They worked in a comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the crinkling of wrappers and an occasional question from Laith about where something belonged.
As they organized, Laith’s thoughts kept straying back to the way his heart had leapt into his throat at the sight of Tillman’s hulking silhouette earlier. He knew it was just surprise and adrenaline, but something about Tillman’s presence tonight felt different. There was a new awareness humming between them that hadn’t been there before.
Laith shook his head, trying to clear away the strange thoughts. This was Tillman, his landlord. There was no need to read into things that weren’t there.
Yet, as they continued working, Laith found his eyes drawn again and again to Tillman’s broad shoulders and large hands as they efficiently packed away each item. He moved with a graceful ease that seemed at odds with his imposing physique.
Laith must have let his gaze linger too long at one point, because suddenly Tillman went still, his tawny eyes meeting Laith’s with an inscrutable look. Heat flooded Laith’s face at being caught staring, but to his surprise, Tillman didn’t call him out on it.
The moment stretched between them, weighted with possibilities, before Tillman finally dropped his eyes and returned to his task.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Laith ducked his head and tried to focus on the work at hand. But the air seemed charged now, humming with an undercurrent he didn’t dare put a name to.
When the last box was sealed, they stood surveying their work. Laith hesitated, not wanting to leave but unsure what to say.
“It’s late,” Tillman rumbled finally, his voice low. “You should get some rest.”
Laith nodded, ignoring the pang of disappointment in his chest. “You’re probably right. Goodnight then, and call me if you need anything else.”
He turned to go but paused when Tillman’s hand caught his wrist, impossibly gentle for such a large man. Laith looked back in surprise.
“Thank you,” Tillman said simply. “For everything tonight.”
