Page 13 of Elevate With Me

Glen picked this moment to be helpful in the most unhelpful way possible. “Mathematician,” she whispered.

“Nope, just a realist, although I do like the last guess.”

“What? Mathematician?”

“No, Christ. I imagine worship could be fun when done right.”

It was in my head. Only in my head, right? Staring at his smirk, though, it was clear he had actually said it out loud. Oh my goodness. I shook my head trying to encourage blood circulation, then rolled my eyes. I was not imagining that along with him. Of course, I wasn’t! Okay, fine, my brain was very eager to go there. Way too eager. Over-eager. I really needed to stop thinking about it. Like right now would be great.

“I can help you carry it upstairs,” Mr Umbrella suggested casually, flicking a button open on his blue jacket without waiting for a response. He continued to loosen buttons in a lazy manner while studying my reaction. I was flushed already, so there wasn’t really anything more he could get out of me with his playful undressing. Perhaps he expected me to decline the help.

Of course, it would have been stupid to refuse the offer since we already experienced the two small steps in front of the building. An actual staircase with just me and Glen was not going to be in our power to overcome. Also, I was too stunned to outright deny him.

“To the twelfth floor?” I gaped at his neat button-up shirt under the jacket he hung on a railing, while he resumed to unbutton the cuffs and fold them up, revealing strong forearms in the process. My mouth was not going dry.

He smirked. “I remember the floor you live on, Red Cheeks.”

Was he for real? Was he actually for real?

“I could always call my dad for help.” I should have done that to begin with. Should have begged him to come with me and make sure I’d be fine. But no, my pride had to get the better of me. Some things I really couldn’t do on my own.

“Or that boyfriend of yours?” He cocked an eyebrow, daring me to spill it.

I’d stayed silent last time he mentioned the nonexistent boyfriend and planned to do so this time, too. Glen, however, reminded me I was not staring at Mr Umbrella’s bare forearms all by my lonesome. Oh no, Glen was also gaping, and she was invested in our conversation.

“Boyfriend? Hallie doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

I swear he grinned. I wasn’t looking, but I swear he did. “I will not ask about your midnight walk of shame if you’ll allow me to help you.”

“I told you, cat patterned pyjamas are in fashion,” I huffed.

“Mhmmm, I’m sure they are. Now tiptoe over to the other side of this bad boy and help your friend lift it, we’ve got stairs to climb.”

Nicknames are for forever

EVEN WITH GLEN AND?and me putting all our efforts into pulling the mattress up the stairs and an umbrella-less Mr Umbrella supporting the bottom side with unmistakable prowess, it took us a long sweaty while to get that damned thing up to the twelfth floor. The entire weight of my king-sized bed fell on his shoulders, and he still somehow managed to keep staring at me. That more than anything made me stumble on the steps countless times.