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“You look tired. Come on, I’ll buy you some soup at the diner and then walk you home.”
He starts heading towards Nosh, the diner a few blocks away, and I roll my eyes. Townes has a habit of ordering me around and expecting me to do as he bids. I never do.
“I’m going home, but you have fun,” I call, turning and heading towards my apartment.
“Wait,” he says as he grabs my arm.
I don’t know how he can move so quickly or so quietly. The guy is huge, but I feel like he’s always sneaking up on me.
“Are you really feeling alright?” He asks again, his hand going to my forehead, and I sigh as I let him take my temperature. “You look kind of pale.”
“I’m fine,” I tell him again, pulling out of his grip.
He frowns down at me and I turn and start to walk faster towards my apartment. I only live two blocks from the bookstore, so the walk is over quickly.
Townes falls into step beside me, easily matching my steps with his long legs.
“Did you eat enough today?” He asks, and I roll my eyes.
He asks me this question a lot. It seems like he’s always trying to feed me. I’m already curvy and plus size, so I definitely don’t need the extra calories, but that doesn’t stop him from trying.
A few guys stumble out of the Wolf Pack Bar on the corner, and Townes moves closer to me, pressing me closer to the building next to me as we pass them. I glance over at Townes as the guys laugh and push each other as they trip and stumble in the opposite direction. Townes is glaring at them, watching until they turn the corner and disappear from view.
“Down, boy,” I joke, and he frowns at me.
He’s been frowning at me a lot lately. Maybe he’s getting tired of me.
That thought hurts, and I clear my throat and look up at my apartment building.
“You shouldn’t be walking home alone,” he tells me.
We have this conversation about once a week, and I sigh.
“I never do. You’re always there, shadow.”
“It’s not safe for you to be out here after dark by yourself,” he continues, acting like I didn’t say anything.
“Uh huh.”
“I’m serious, Mira.”
“I’mfine,” I stress, and I don’t need to look at him to know that he’s frowning again.
My steps slow automatically as I dig my keys out of my purse. I turn towards Townes to say goodnight, and my breath stalls in my lungs as I see the look in his eyes.
There’s heat and longing in their blue depths. He’s been staring at me like that when he walks me home for the past few weeks, and I keep waiting to see if he’s going to kiss me or make some kind of move.
“Good night, Mira,” Townes says quietly, and I nod.
“Night.”
I try not to let my disappointment show as I unlock the door and head up the stairs to my apartment.
“Lock the door,” he calls through the wooden front door, and I want to scream.
He’s always telling me to do the most basic of tasks. It’s like he thinks I’m an idiot or incapable of taking care of myself in any way.
I ignore him as I let myself into my apartment. I live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment above Manci’s Pizza Parlor. The place always smells like tomatoes, garlic, and oregano, and I’ve found myself craving pizza more than ever since I started living here.
