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He swings my suitcase through the door and drops it just inside off to one side before stepping out of the way to let me in. I brush past him, trying not to be too aware of how that leaves me tingling.
I step into a sunny, neat room with a queen bed covered in homey quilts in various shades of green hexagons, from forest to soft pastel sea green. White lace curtains, a dresser, and a trunk in matching grey ash wood, cozy throw rugs scattered around.
The place is simple, neutral, clean, and cozy.
That’s Grant, all right.
Makes sense when this used to behisroom when he was a kid.
It hits me that I’ll be sleeping in the same room he’s laid in every night before his parents moved out and he took over the master bedroom.
But I really shouldn’t think about that.
Behind me, he clears his throat.
“Listen, this house is old and I’m working on fixing up the insulation. Still gets drafty at night even when the furnace kicks on. There’s an electric blanket in the trunk, if you need it. If you’re still too cold with that, then I’ll buy you a new one.”
I turn back to face him.
There he is, standing awkwardly in the doorway, scrubbing the back of his neck with one hand and looking anywhere but at me.
The big moose cares so much.
I can’t help a small smile.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine with the electric blanket. Jeez, I feel like me being cold all the time is turning into a running gag,” I say. “Thanks, though. You don’t have to go to the trouble.”
His expression darkens into a smoky glare.
“It’s no trouble.Youain’t trouble, Philia.”
I blink quickly and duck my head.
Wow.
NowI’mthe one being awkward and turning away as I blush.
“I, um... thanks.”
Way to go, Ophelia.
There’s a long silence before he grunts and tosses his head. “Right. I’m gonna start dinner. Come on down once you’re settled in and we’ll have a chat about Ros.”
Blech.
How could I forget?
Hearing my sister’s name rips me back to grim reality, away from this beautifully angsty fairy tale where we both try to hide confusing feelings rearing their heads.
I nod slowly.
“Yeah,” I say faintly. “Okay. Thanks again.”
Grant doesn’t say anything.
He just looks at me for a long, hard moment with a gaze I can’t decipher.
Then he’s gone, leaving me standing in that quiet sunlit room, wondering why everything keeps throbbing with uncertainty.
