Page 52 of Chasing After You

“Hey, Dori… Where have you been staying? Did you end up renting somewhere?” Josh asked one day as we were looking over the lunch menu at a cozy Thai restaurant in town. I held back my smile.

“Yeah, I got a house out by that park I took you to the other day.”

“Oh, really? How do you like it?”

“It’s nice. I’ve been working on it, setting it up the way I want, and all that. It’s not huge, but it’s three beds, two and a half baths.”

Josh looked impressed, eyebrows rising slightly as he stabbed at the ice in his water with his straw. “Three bedrooms? Damn. Planning to start a commune?”

I shrugged, keeping it casual. “I like space. Makes it easier to think.”

He laughed, but there was something thoughtful about the way he was staring at his menu now, not really reading thewords. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, like he was weighing something in his head.

I waited.

Then, after a beat, he exhaled and said, “So… my landlord isn’t renewing my lease.”

I didn’t react. Not outwardly. I kept my expression carefully neutral, though my pulse surged with satisfaction.

“Oh?” I asked, feigning surprise. “When did that happen?”

“Got the notice yesterday. Said the building’s going through ‘necessary renovations,’ but that feels like a load of crap. Rent’s going up in the area—he probably wants someone who’ll pay more.” He frowned.

I hummed sympathetically. “That’s shitty.”

Josh nodded, lips pressed tight. “Yeah. I’ve got about a month left, but I don’t know what I’m doing after that. I haven’t found anything I like yet, and most of the affordable stuff is for students or old people.” He hesitated, his voice quieter now. “Would it be weird if I stayed at your place for a while? Just until I find something? You uh… you mentioned before that we could live together… Is that still on the table?”

There it was.

The question I’d been quietly grooming into existence.

I tilted my head, taking a slow sip of my tea to hide the grin that threatened to break free. “Why would that be weird?”

“I dunno. We haven’t lived together since we were kids. And you’re… you know.”

“I’m what?” My jaw ticked.

His eyes darted up to mine. “Weird.”

I smirked. “You like my weird.”

He gave me an unamused look, but the blush spreading across his cheeks gave his true feelings away. “You sure it wouldn’t bother you?”

“I have an empty room with your name on it,” I said smoothly. “Unless you’d prefer mine.”

Josh groaned, “Don’t be gross.”

“I’m not. I’m being hospitable.”

He rolled his eyes, but looked relieved. His whole body softened, like a weight had slid off his shoulders. “Thanks, Dori. Seriously. You’re saving my ass.”

I shrugged. “No need to thank me, it’ll be fun living together again. Like a family.”

He didn’t know I’d met with his landlord two weeks ago.

Didn’t know I’d offered to buy the building outright in cash in exchange for one small favor: non-renewal of a particular tenant’s lease.

Didn’t know I’d chosen this house with him in mind.