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Chapter Sixteen
“It’s nice?”I said as Esme, Chuck, the building owner, and me walked around the empty apartment. It was shiny and new like Linley’s place. In fact, her place was right across the hall. I guess I just couldn’t picture Esme living here. Couldn’t see Stormy sleeping in a dog bed by the door. It just wasn’t her, and I couldn’t put my finger on why.
“You said the same thing about the other place,” Esme pointed out. I wasn’t trying to be a pain, but I didn’t want to lie either.
“I think it’s because it’s hard for me to picture it without furniture or anything in it,” I said. “Sorry.”
Esme sighed and ran her hand down the granite countertop.
“Why don’t I give you two a minute?” Chuck said, checking a new message on his phone. “I’ll be right outside.” He started to make a call and stepped into the hallway, shutting the front door behind him.
“Why don’t you like either of these places?” Esme asked, as soon as the door closed.
“I don’t know. They just don’t seem like you. I can’t explain it. But it’s not my decision, it’s yours, and I’ll support you no matter what. It’s a great building. Linley loves it here.” I was going to suck it up and be there for her. It would be great to finally have a place that was hers that we could stay at without worrying about waking up her dad.
Esme looked around and crossed her arms. “I don’t know. I’m not getting the right vibe. You’re right. There’s something off.”
“It’s probably just because it’s empty,” I said.
Esme sighed again. “I mean, I shouldn’t be so picky. Right now I’m sharing a bathroom with my father. The rent is affordable, and Chuck is giving me a good deal. I know he’s not going to fuck me over.”
She sat right down on the floor, crossing her legs. I joined her.
“You could always just move in with me,” I said, laughing. “Then Stormy and Potato could hang out all the time.”
She laughed for a minute, and then stopped. “Wait, are you serious? You want me to move in with you?”
I didn’t think I was serious when I said it, but now that I pictured it? Yeah, I was serious.
“Yes. I want you to move in with me,” I said.
Esme’s eyes went wide. “We literally just started dating and had our first fight. Doesn’t that seem way too soon?”
I lifted one shoulder. “Probably. But I’ve never been one to go by normal timelines for things. Once I’m in, I’m all in.” I leaned forward, putting my hands on her shins. “I’m all in with you, Esme.”
She blinked a few times and shook her head. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course. I don’t expect you to be as impulsive as me. One of us has to be the voice of reason.” I’d been in relationships with other impulsive people, and they always ended in complete unmitigated disaster.
She exhaled, as if she was relieved. “Now I’m thinking about it.”
Esme scooted her back up against the bar and I moved so our shoulders touched and leaned my head onto her shoulder.
“I like the idea of coming home to you, Paige. Seeing you on the couch with your laptop and your glasses. Watching you make dinner. Waking up to you every morning. Plus, you have a great yard for a dog.”
That was true. This building didn’t have much of a yard, so there was no place for Stormy to go.
“See? I can come up with good plans.” I hadn’t been referencing my previous awful plan, but I winced when I remembered.
Esme put her arm around me.
“It is a good plan. My dad is going to wonder what the hell I’m thinking,” she said.
I sat up. “Wait, does that mean you’re saying yes? I thought you wanted to think about it.”
She met my eyes and smiled slowly. “I did think about it. And I decided. I would love to move in with you, Paige.” She reached for me and our lips met.
“I promise I’ll get rid of a bunch of my crap. And we can get new sheets. And if you hate my curtains, we can get new ones,” I said in a rush, but Esme just quieted me with a kiss.
