Lib Novel Page 120
I put my hand on my chest. “You scared me. How long have you been standing there?”
“Not long.”
“How did I not hear you come in?”
He shrugged. His eyes flicked to my computer screen, then away again. Without a word, he stalked away.
Quiet and broody was one thing, but this was getting ridiculous.
I got up and followed him into the living room. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“It doesn’t seem like nothing. You’ve been acting weird since last night.”
“No, I haven’t.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Yes, you have. Are you stressed about the remodel? Or something financial? Or is it the stalker thing? I wish you would just talk to me because I’m afraid it’s none of those things and the problem is me.”
“You’re not the problem.”
“Then what is the problem? You show about as much emotion as a rock but I can see it simmering inside you.”
He glanced away. “What are you going to do if the job doesn’t work out?”
“I’m not sure. Is that what you’re worried about? I have a little saved so even if I can’t find a job right away—”
“I’m not worried about money.”
“I just mean I’ll try really hard not to get behind on rent.”
“I don’t give a shit about that,” he snapped.
“Then what’s wrong?” I yelled back.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
His reply was so unexpected, I just stared at him, my lips parted.
“My life was fine,” he said. “I didn’t have to answer to anyone. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, and I liked it that way. Then you showed up.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. “Sorry?”
“I’m not good with people, Audrey. I don’t know how to do this.”
“Keep trying because I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say.”
He hesitated, his eyes stormy. “I didn’t think I wanted this. But I do. Every morning when your stupid dog wakes me up with his wet nose in my face, I look at you sleeping next to me and I can’t imagine losing you.”
“Why do you think you’d lose me?”
“You’re not here because you want to be.”
“What, in Tilikum? It wasn’t exactly my first choice, but that doesn’t mean I’m looking to leave at the first opportunity.”
“You sure about that?”
“I really want to be on the same page with you, but I feel like we’re still talking past each other. Is this because you saw job postings on my laptop just now? Why are you jumping to conclusions that I’ll just up and leave?”