Page 82 of A Cold Hard Truth

Sebastian disconnected the call without saying goodbye.

Remington finished his apple, finished his wine, then started to scroll through the delivery apps on his phone to find something worth ordering in. He settled on Italian, grabbing some lasagna and spaghetti, with two cannoli for dessert. He placed the order and waited. Thankfully, it wasn’t more than half an hour before Sebastian showed up, curious eyes giving a casual onceover to Remington’s living space after he opened the door.

“So this is where you live,” Sebastian observed, peeking around Remington’s shoulder. “Do I need to take off my shoes?”

“You can.”

Remington stepped to the side. Sebastian looked down at Remington’s bare feet, then kicked off his shoes and closed the door behind him. His stare lingered on the wine bottle on the counter, but he didn’t ask for a drink.

“Do you want a tour?” Remington asked, trying to find some form of manners.

With Sebastian in the apartment, everything felt different. The air somehow felt heavier and lighter all at the same time, Sebastian’s presence acting like a taunt to Remington’s loneliness. Sebastian was like a cure to his ailments, but with unknown side effects.

“Sure.”

“It’s pretty basic. This is the living room, kitchen.” He guided Sebastian down the short hallway. “This is my room.”

The door was closed and Sebastian reached for the knob, pausing when his hand connected with the wood. “Can I peek?”

“If you want.”

Sebastian pushed open the door and peered inside, giving Remington’s bedroom one of those careful and calculated appraisals he was so good at, then he pulled the door closed and blinked up at Remington.

“Is it what you expected?” Remington asked.

“Not at all. What else is there?”

“Just Jace’s room. Or the spare room now, I guess.”

“Let’s see it.” Sebastian gestured toward the general direction of the apartment.

Remington led him back into the living room and down the hallway on the other side of the apartment that mirrored his own. He pushed open the door and Sebastian stepped inside.

“So, this is it,” Sebastian mused, turning in place and checking every corner of the room for suitability.

“This is it. It was. It’s nothing now,” he said.

“Are you going to get a new roommate?” Sebastian asked.

“No.”

“An office?”

“I can’t really bring my work home.”

Sebastian stepped deeper into the room and Remington followed behind. The door swung closed, latching quietly and leaving them together in the empty space. The air turned heavy and thick, and Remington swallowed, watching Sebastian as he moved and talked.

“Library?” Sebastian tried.

“Maybe.” He leaned against the wall and fidgeted with his glasses.

“Dungeon?” Sebastian turned with a smirk.

“I wouldn’t even know where to start,” he sputtered.

“A sex bed.” Sebastian laughed.

“What’s wrong withmybed?”