The sun’s starting to set by the time I pull into Korie’s apartment complex, painting everything gold and orange. When did life get so… vivid?
The apartment smells of tomato sauce and cheese when I let myself in. I look to my right and grin.
Korie is bundled on the couch in the world’s fluffiest purple blanket, knees tucked up, and only the top half of their face visible over the edge. Damp red hair is sticking out in every direction.
“There’s my little burrito,” I say.
Korie narrows their eyes at me. “Rude.”
I toss my keys onto the table before dropping onto the couch beside them. The blanket shifts enough for me to catch sight of striped pink socks.
Damn. How is it possible they get cuter every time I go to work?
Korie watches me for a second, then hesitates. “You know, I’m seriously considering charging you half of this month’s rent.”
I snort immediately. “Eh. I’m sure the dust bunnies are fine at my place.”
“They might miss you.”
“Not as much as you would if I went home.”
I grin at them, expecting the usual immediate comeback.
Instead, Korie smiles—but it flickers strangely fast. Their gaze drops away almost instantly, fingers tightening slightly around the blanket. It’s tiny. Most people probably wouldn’t even notice it. But I do.
Something in my chest tugs. “Did you want me to go?”
They jerk their head up. “What?”
“You got weird.”
Korie rolls their eyes dramatically, but there’s a beat too long before they answer. “No, I didn’t.”
The hesitation hits me harder than it should. Not because I think they’re lying exactly. More because… well, I don’t know. I don’t like when Korie keeps things from me. It takes me back to a time I try not to think about.
I open my mouth to say something, preparing to back off, but Korie shifts closer and bumps their socked foot against my thigh.
“Besides, I already have dinner in the oven for us, dummy,” they say, a little shyly. “So get over here and act like you missed me.”
Their grin this time reaches their eyes. But still, something uneasy settles in the back of my mind as I slide an arm around them. Maybe they aren’t leaning in as much as I thought.
Or maybe I’m bulldozing ahead. Overreaching.
I glance down at Korie, heart clenching. I really don’t want to mess this up. Korie reaches for my hand, idly playing with my fingers.
I search for something to say that isn’t about the sudden weight in my chest.
Korie adjusts the purple blanket around us, covering our legs.
“I don’t even want to know what your electric bill is in the summer. Keeping your apartment cold enough to bury yourself in blankets.”
They elbow me. “Oh, shut up. You like it.”
When the oven dings, Korie dishes up a pasta casserole, then settles right back in at my side, feet tucked under them.
I glance over at them while they add hot sauce to their bowl. “I want to take you out again.”
Korie looks up. “Like a date? Or hanging out again?”
