Page 25 of So This Is War
Levi studies me. “Yeah, so I truly think it’s best if you just stay where you are, and we can work out an arrangement with dropping things off at my place. Maybe we can fashion some sort of drop box.”
And he’s adorable.
Adorable when he’s clearly reaching for any reason I shouldn’t stay with him.
But that won’t be acceptable. He’s my only hope for housing.
“If I’m honest, I don’t currently have a place of residence,” I say.
His face softens as he asks, “You don’t?”
“Not at the moment. I was going to look for a place tomorrow, but I’m sure you live in a fancy area, right? I’d wantto be close to you so I can help you out, but given my salary and savings, I’m not sure I can afford anywhere near you.”
He looks away from me and mutters something under his breath.
“What’s that?” I ask. “I didn’t catch what you said.”
He sighs heavily and then presses his fingers to his forehead as if working through a complex equation. After a few seconds of silence, he says, “I have this spare room meant for a nanny. I don’t use it. I don’t even bother with it, honestly. It has a separate entrance and is just a room with a bathroom. That’s it. It’s connected to my apartment, and you can use it until you find a place that works for you, but you can’t tell your dad.”
“Really? I can stay there?” I ask, relief washing through me. I don’t care if it’s a closet. It’s a roof over my head that I don’t have to pay for. I will take just about anything.
“Yes.” His eyes connect with mine. “But like I said, you can’t tell your dad. I’m not fucking kidding about that, okay?”
“I promise. I won’t say anything. Thank you, Levi. This is a huge weight off my shoulders. I really appreciate it.”
“Sure,” he begrudgingly says.
He might not be happy about it, but I am. Sorry to say, that’s all that matters to me.
“When can I move in? Tomorrow?”
His eyes flash to mine in surprise. “Uh, if you want.”
“That would be great. The sooner, the better.”
“But you’re not going to tell your dad, right? That I’m housing you?”
I tilt my head, studying him. “I told you I wouldn’t. Why are you so adamant about this?”
“Because,” he says, sitting taller. “I don’t want him thinking I’m, uh, taking advantage or anything.” Levi drums his fingers on his coffee cup, looking nervous and twitchy. After a fewseconds of silence, he says, “Fuck, I’m just going to level with you, Wylie, okay?”
“That’s probably best since I’m going to be your assistant,” I reply.
He drags his hand over his face, looking pained. After a few seconds of mulling over his words, he starts with, “I just want to get this out in the open.”
“Probably best,” I say.
“I think the sooner we say it, the better.”
“Could not agree more.” I nod in approval.
“So I think if I just say it, then we can?—”
“Oh my God, Levi, just say it.” I laugh.
His Adam’s apple bobs as he nods. “Yeah, so, uh . . . we had an almost night together.”
“We did.” I can’t hide the smirk that appears because he is clearly distraught over this.
