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“Can I make a suggestion without you getting upset?”
She blows out a breath and turns to face me.
“You could spend the night at my place.” When her expression turns into a scowl, I hold up my hands. “You’d stay in the guest room. I’m not suggesting this to try to get you into my bed or anything. Believe me, you’ve made it abundantly clear you don’t want to be there.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “What I mean is that you could stay there, and then in the morning we can sort out your purse, where Bryce might be, and how to get you into your apartment if we can’t locate your purse in the light of day.”
She bites her bottom lip, staring at me.
I sigh. “I swear I’m just trying to help you. Nothing more.”
Shayna doesn’t respond for a beat. “It wouldn’t mean anything if I stayed over.”
“I know.”
“It doesn’t change anything.”
I nod. “I know that too.”
“All right.” She leans back in her seat and crosses her arms.
I get the sense that she’s sulking. That’s okay though. We’ve made progress tonight and I’ll take what I can get—even if she’s giving in reluctantly.
Fourteen
Shayna
On the elevator up to Lee’s condo, I act as if it’s no big deal that I’m going to spend the night at his place, but the truth is I’m freaking out.
Tonight is the most interaction I’ve had with him since I arrived in San Francisco, and the fact is, we’ll be alone all night in his condo. Even if everything has been completely platonic tonight, it’s hard not to let my mind wander. What if he was just taking me home? What if we had been on a date? Memories of our times together in college distract me until the elevator dings.
I startle as the doors slide open right into Lee’s condo. The decor is exactly what I expected from a single guy, but homier. When I follow him into the large living area, it’s not stark and void of life. You can tell someone really lives here.
There are photos of friends and family on the built-in entertainment center, and a fewSports Illustratedmagazines litter the coffee table beside a half-drunk cup of coffee. One seat cushion is more indented than the rest, revealing he has a certain spot he always sits in to watch television.
Through the wall-to-wall windows, the city lights sparkle below, and the Golden Gate Bridge is lit up in the distance. His view alone says he paid a lot for this place.
“It’s really nice.” My speech is stilted because I feel so awkward being here.
Lee looks just as uncomfortable, his hands shoved into his tuxedo pants as he rocks back on his heels. “Can I get you anything? You hungry? Thirsty?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m good. Just…” I glance at my dress and inwardly scream. “Can I borrow something to sleep in?”
A strangled noise slips out, but he quickly clears his throat. “Of course. Sure. Yeah. I’ll show you the guest room, then I’ll grab you something.”
I follow him through the kitchen and dining area, past an office, and down a hallway. He walks into a room with a large bed covered in a cream comforter. The walnut headboard and furniture give off a natural and cozy feeling.
I step into the room as he asks, “Will this work?”
I chuckle. “Yeah. Barely.”
He laughs and runs his hand through his hair. “I’ll go get you something to change into.”
He disappears from the doorway. The condo is so quiet, I hear him heading farther down the hall to what I assume must be his bedroom.
I plop down on the bed, testing its firmness. I wonder if anyone has ever even slept on this mattress. It’s like brand new. Lee appears in the doorway, so I jolt up off the mattress.
“Here you go.” He offers me a pile of folded-up clothes. “They’re gonna be big, but hopefully you can manage them. If not, just let me know.”
I nod and accept the clothes. “Great. Thanks.”
