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She walked over to the drop box for the checks and pulled the envelope with next month’s rent out of her purse. Thankfully, she had some savings and wouldn’t struggle too hard over the upcoming month. School started for her and Cory when Isaiah got back. Not working would free up time for her to study during the day while Cory was at school.
Sheila, the weekend property manager, came out of the office and grinned. “Hey, Angela, what are you doing here?”
Angela held up her envelope. “Paying the rent for next month.”
Sheila’s eyebrows drew together. “Why?”
“So I’ll have a place to stay for another thirty days?”
“Don’t be silly,” Sheila said with a hand wave. “Your rent is covered for the next six months.”
Angela cocked her head to the side. “What are you talking about?”
Sheila’s eyes widened. “I thought you knew. He didn’t say it was a surprise.”
“Who didn’t say it was a surprise?” Angela asked sharply.
“Your boyfriend, Isaiah Reynolds. He stopped by earlier this week and covered your rent. There’s only six months left on your lease, so that’s what he covered. I do hope you’ll consider renewing with us after that time.”
Angela crushed the envelope in her hand. He’d paid her rent. Without consulting her or saying anything. She’d asked him to wait and let her try to figure things out first. Why hadn’t he? Did he think she couldn’t handle herself? Did he think she’d want him to spend money on her like this? Was that what he thought their relationship was about?
She wouldn’t become dependent on him. She wouldn’t become dependent on anyone. Depending on someone increased the risk of struggling even harder when they left her high and dry. She wasn’t going through that again.
“Thank you for telling me. I didn’t know.” She looked at Cory. “Come on, let’s go.”
Cory didn’t say anything as he followed her out of the office. Once they were in the car he gave her a wary glance. “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy about having the rent paid.”
Angela used the time it took to back out of the parking space to take a deep breath and get her frustration under control. When they were out of the complex she spoke. “I appreciate his effort, but he shouldn’t have done that without talking to me first.”
“Maybe he wanted to surprise you. There’s nothing wrong with surprising you, is there?” Cory sounded genuinely confused.
“We’d already talked and I told him I didn’t want him to step in. I have things under control. For him to step in and take over like that after I asked him not to means he doesn’t respect my wishes.”
Cory plucked at a string on the edge of his gray khaki shorts. “Or he just really likes you and wants to help. Like when you tell me to eat my vegetables because they’re good for me.”
“Not the same.”
“Sounds the same.” Cory’s phone chimed and he got sucked into a text conversation.
Angela welcomed the interruption. She didn’t know how to explain the dynamics of relationships to Cory. He’d seen her look for a job every day. They’d make it through the upcoming month and then the next. The third month would be hard. She couldn’t lie; not having to worry about rent would be a relief, but that didn’t mean Isaiah could just step in and handle her life.
Cory focused on his phone for the remainder of the time it took to get to Isaiah’s place. There were two cars there besides his that she didn’t recognize. Maybe a few of his teammates, which meant she’d have to save the discussion about him overstepping his bounds until later.
They got out of the car and rang the bell. Isaiah answered the door. His face brightened the second he saw her. Her heart fluttered and tightened. Damn, she was crazy about him.
“Right on time,” Isaiah said. “Come on in.”
He gave Cory a shoulder-bump hug. When he pulled her into his arms for a hug and then kissed her neck, her body hummed. She was really crazy about him.
You’re mad at him, too.
She stiffened and pulled back. Isaiah frowned but since Cory watched them she didn’t want to get into the argument now.
