Page 51 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“I think it’s perfect,” she told him earnestly. “If you decide to rent to me, I’ll be the most unobtrusive roommate you ever had. Seriously, Eliot, I really appreciate you being willing to take a chance on me, and I’ll make sure you don’t regret it.”
He nodded. “Look, there are some things in my past that I’m not too proud of either. I do have two or three other people coming to see the room, but I’ll let you know in the next few days, okay?”
They talked for a little while longer, and when she left, she felt cautiously hopeful. And she wasn’t quite ready to go home yet, probably because she dreaded hearing more about Mia’s upcoming date with Beth. Lauren boarded the subway and rode to Prospect Park, making her way to her and Craig’s oak tree—the tree where they would meet after they’d been separated in foster care—as darkness fell over the city
“I might have found a new apartment tonight,” she whispered, feeling almost as close to him here as she did when she talked to his urn. “Which is perfect timing since I’m in way over my head with Mia.”
She rested her forehead against the tree’s cold, rough bark. “I know what you’d say. I need to get over her. It’s silly to fawn over her this way when I’m pretty sure she doesn’t feel the same way about me.”
The wind whispered through the branches overhead. The oak tree’s leaves were dry and brown now, still clinging stubbornly to its branches as winter approached. Lauren shivered. Her jacket was getting too thin for the weather. She’d have to invest in a coat soon. At least she’d been able to save up some money while she was staying with Mia so she could afford one.
Lauren stood, giving the tree an affectionate pat before she walked away. As she left the park, she became aware of a man behind her on the sidewalk, the steady thump of his shoes against the concrete seeming to follow her down the street. When she darted a glance over her shoulder, she saw the outline of a hoodie over his head and a hard, stubbly jaw.
Fear slid down her spine. Probably, he was harmless. She’d lived in Brooklyn almost her entire life, and while she’d had her fair share of experiences with men making unwanted advances or gestures, nothing worse than that had ever happened to her. But still, it was dark, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was following too close.
She turned left a block early, hoping to lose him, but he turned too. He was walking more quietly now, as if he hoped she wouldn’t notice him. Or maybe she was just being paranoid. She picked up her pace, and as a bodega came into view at the end of the block, she darted toward it and dashed inside the well-lit space. The man kept walking.
Lauren exhaled in relief. Her knees were shaking, which was silly since nothing had actually happened. She hated feeling helpless, and she especially hated when men made her feel that way. Maybe she should look into taking self-defense classes once she could afford it.
Since she was in the bodega, she wandered the aisles and picked out a couple of sandwiches to bring home. If she and Mia didn’t eat them tonight, they could have them for lunch tomorrow. Mia still had a tendency to skip meals if Lauren didn’t remind her to eat.
Lauren paid for her purchases and headed out, grateful to see no sign of the man who’d tailed her earlier. She boarded the subway, headed home.
* * *
Mia stoodin front of a pot bubbling on the stove as her favorite playlist streamed through the speakers in the living room. The scent of tomatoes and herbs filled the air, and she smiled, adjusting the apron her father had given her years ago. This was the first time she’d worn it. She felt so domestic, and that felt surprisingly good.
She hummed along with the music as she stirred the soup. Garlic bread rested on a tray to her left, ready for her to pop in the oven as soon as Lauren got home. As if Mia had summoned her with her thoughts, a key turned in the lock, and Lauren walked into the apartment carrying a plastic grocery bag.
“Hi,” Mia called from the kitchen.
Lauren turned, eyes widening when she saw Mia. “Are you cooking?”
She grinned. “I am. Minestrone soup.”
“It smells amazing.” Lauren walked into the kitchen and put her shopping bag in the refrigerator. “Sandwiches for lunch tomorrow. What inspired you to cook?”
“You,” Mia said. “You’ve cooked so many meals for me, and I wanted to return the favor. I never used to cook because I was working such long hours. It felt like a chore, but maybe I’ll enjoy it more now that I have the time. Anyway, it’s nothing fancy, just soup.”
“I love minestrone,” Lauren said, “and it’s perfect soup weather out there.”
“How was the apartment?” she asked.
“Good. The room is the size of a closet, and they’d want me to pay cash so they don’t have to officially add another person to the lease, but it’s fine. I can’t be choosy with my record.” She scrunched her nose.
Mia frowned. She didn’t like the sound of any of that. “You need to make sure you still sign some kind of official lease paperwork to give yourself legal recourse. Otherwise, they could raise your rent any time they feel like it or kick you out without notice. It’s not legal. If they aren’t adding you to the official lease, the building management could have you evicted if they found out.”
Lauren patted her shoulder. “I know your lawyer brain rejects it, but people do this kind of thing all the time.”
“And tenants get screwed by these types of agreements all the time,” Mia countered. “I don’t want that to happen to you.”
“I have a felony charge pending, Mia. For robbery, of all things. Most reputable landlords don’t want anything to do with me, but I know Eliot. I think he’ll be fair.”
Mia wanted to argue with that, but she couldn’t. “Just…be careful.” She bent to put the garlic bread in the oven.
“I will,” Lauren said. “He’s seeing a few more prospective tenants before he decides, but for the record, you didn’t have me sign an official lease agreement either, so it’s not necessarily a red flag.”
“I’m your friend,” Mia said, but dammit, Lauren had a point. “And I’m not in a hurry to kick you out, so please don’t take this room if it’s sketchy.”
