Page 38 of Scrap Metal & Love Reforged

I whistled between my teeth. “That many, huh?”

He wassomuch more experienced—and confident—than me.

“I never kept track. I’ve gone on plenty of dates. Long-term? Maybe four or five. Not counting high school. I couldn't tell you how many I dated back then,” Seth trailed off.

“Did you go to public or private school?”

“Both really,” Seth said. “I did private most of my life, then public for my last two years. You?”

I shook my head. “Public school,” I replied, “All the way.”

“I think it broadens your worldview,” Seth said, “because you meet more kinds of people.”

“High school feels both close and far away,” I said.

Seth nodded. “Yeah.”

“Did you do college?” I asked.

Seth waved a hand. “On and off. No degree. I took classes because I liked them—and the people—but I didn’t finish. I’m… I’m a bit like Brandon, I guess. He bounced from hobby to hobby until he found his passion in film.”

“And you?”

Seth gave me an intense, unreadable look. “I’m still looking for it. It may not be film, but I think my passion might be people. Meeting them. Learning from them. Or maybe I just like to hear the sound of my own voice.”

“I suspect it’s both,” I said.

“Yeah, maybe it is.”

For a few seconds, silence stretched between us. Seth kicked his feet over the arm of his chair and adjusted, sitting sideways. The phone in my jacket felt heavy.

Rooming with Seth didn't seem so bad. I'd help out, pull my own weight—even though he'd probably insist I do nothing.

“I was thinking…” I paused.

“That can be a dangerous pursuit.”

I raised an eyebrow. Seth chuckled. “It’s something my mom always says. Force of habit. What were you thinking about?”

“This apartment issue.”

“Ah. Are you any closer to finding one?” Seth asked. “I could help you look. I don't know what makes a place good and I might miss some red flags, but I can bring someone who won't.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m going to keep looking. It’s just that I have two weeks left on my lease, and I was thinking about what you said. If the offer's still open, would you mind if I stayed with you for a little while?”

Seth nodded. “Sure! You could stay with me as long as you need. I don’t mind at all.”

“Well, I don’t anticipate needing to stay long. I don’t want to impose.”

Seth winked. “A handsome guy staying with me is never an imposition.”

I swallowed hard. We would really be a thing now, wouldn’t we? Moving in with him, even for just a little while, was a big step, one that might change our entire relationship. But even with that uncertainty, excitement fluttered in my chest.

“Just until I can get a down payment together for a new place,” I said, “No longer than that, I promise. I’ll help around the apartment, too. Maybe buy groceries or something.”

Seth waved a dismissive hand and climbed to his feet. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got plenty of groceries.”

That wasn’t really the point, but I suspected he knew that.