Clark said, “I highly doubt that.”
“I highly don’t, and really? Because not gonna lie, the thought of staying here is way better than crashing with my mom. I love her, but…well, you know how it is.”
He gave me a sad smile. “Yeah, yeah I do. And yes, I’m sure. Like I said, I had fun today.”
“Well, then, I’ll make it my goal while I’m here to make sure you have even more of it. Should we shake on it? We can spit on our hands and shake. It’ll be like one of those my-word-is-my-bond things.”
Another chuckle, but then his eyes widened and he looked slightly mortified. “I’m not spitting in my hand.”
“Boring,” I said playfully, then, “Thank you. This means a lot to me.”
“You don’t have to thank me. Now, I really need to get to bed. We can figure out specifics later.”
I nodded, gave him another cheek kiss, went into my room, and closed the door. Twelve-year-old Skylar was totally twitterpated right now. Good thing I was smart enough never to let myself crush on anyone ever again. I was definitely looking forward to rekindling my friendship with him, though.
8
Clark
Have I really invited Skylar to stay in my apartment?
I was in the shower, getting ready for work, while he was sleeping in the guest bedroom, and the idea of him being here felt surreal. I’d met him for lunch, we did some gymnastics—well, he did—and then his building caught on fire. So if to me, spending fourteen hours with a friend I’d just reconnected with felt intense, Skylar had to be even more out of sorts.
That was one of the reasons I’d asked him to stay—hoping to help normalize his next few days, or however long it took for his building to be livable again. Plus, he’d made it clear he wasn’t that excited about staying with his mom, which I got too. Just because you loved your parents didn’t mean you wanted to live with them again.
Besides, we were on different schedules and had our own lives, so there probably wouldn’t be that much overlap. Not that I would mind getting to know him again.
“I’m pretty bad…like, incredibly wild and crazy.”
Christ, what the hell did that mean?
Yesterday had been pretty fun—outside of his building catching fire, of course. Jesus, what a mess.
Once I changed and made coffee, I pulled out a pad of paper to leave him a note.
* * *
Sky,
Off to work, but text or call if you need anything at all.
I’m also leaving some cash so you can go to the store and get any necessities—toiletries, clothes, whatever.
Clark
* * *
When I swung into work, Mom immediately pulled me into a conference call with a big client she wanted my help with. I had the urge to laugh because she’d doubtless pop a blood vessel if she knew I’d reconnected with Skylar and he was currently staying at my apartment.
Sorry, gotta get home so I can practice gymnastics again with Skylar.
I must’ve snickered to myself because Mom cleared her throat and gave me a look that snapped me out of it. I was normally very professional at work, but Skylar always had this way of bringing levity to my life. And now I’d need to return the favor because whenever I thought about how vulnerable he looked standing in front of his burning building, it brought out this protective instinct in me.
By lunchtime I’d checked emails, negotiated a couple of contracts, and set up appointments with clients for walk-throughs on new listings.
When my cell buzzed with a message from Skylar, I nearly dropped my phone, I’d been so lost in work. And then I couldn’t stop grinning when I read his message.
Guess this really is a Pretty Woman scenario. By day’s end, I’ll be loaded up with shopping bags, telling store owners they made a big mistake not taking my business, and Eddie will share a secret smile with me as I walk through the lobby in a new dress.
LOL! Be sure to give them hell.
I’d only seen the movie once—okay, maybe twice—but I knew the exact scene he was referring to. I almost joked that I’d be at the piano in the bar after midnight—not that my building had one—but that would’ve sounded like straight-out flirting. And I was not going to flirt with my friend. Nope.
Listen, while I appreciate it, I will absolutely not be taking your money. If anything, I should be paying you for room and board.
I supposed I’d expected as much, but it was worth a shot. Skylar was a friend, and right now he was down on his luck. Still, I didn’t want to offend him. I suspected he might be too proud to accept a handout, but I also wanted him to be comfortable while he stayed with me. I’d just have to find other ways to make sure he was.
You’re not renting a room. You’re staying with a friend. Big difference. No ifs, ands, or buts.
But I like butts.
Cheeseball.
I like balls too.
I rolled my eyes even if he couldn’t see it. OMG, I walked right into that one.
Anyway, I have to work tonight, so I’ll be heading over to Jesse’s place to borrow the stuff I’ll need to perform. Thankfully, I have plenty of costumes in the dressing room at the Playground too.
Damn, I hadn’t thought of that. What exactly do you wear?
Not much, he replied, adding a smile emoji.
Before I ran away with that visual, I needed to end this conversation. So hey, I need to show a property around dinnertime but thought I’d order a pizza on my way home. Does that sound okay?
Sounds perfect. See you later.
Coming home from work was strange, to say the least, and when Eddie waved at me near the elevators, I almost smirked, thinking about Pretty Woman. I’d ordered pizza from an app, and when I entered the apartment, I saw it was already sitting on the kitchen counter. I must’ve been starving because the smell alone made my stomach growl.
I could see the light on in the hall bathroom, so I called out, “Honey, I’m home.”
So not flirting. Just something funny to say.
“Okay, I hope to never hear those words again,” he replied, and I chuckled because obviously I was the exact opposite—I mean, if the situation was the right one for me. “Just started getting ready for work,” he said. “Be right there.”
I reached for plates and set them on the kitchen island next to the pizza box.
“Anything to drink?” I asked, and when he requested water, I retrieved two glasses as well.
Sinking down on a stool, I was just lifting the pizza-box lid when Skylar appeared, and I nearly swallowed my tongue.
He was only wearing a simple T-shirt and shorts, which he must’ve borrowed from Jesse, but he also had makeup on. I’d never been particularly fond of that sort of thing on guys, but something about how it enhanced Skylar’s features made me love it.
“Wow,” I said, sliding a couple of slices onto our plates.
“You like?” He tilted his face to the light, and I could see how his eyelashes stood out, as well as his rosy cheeks and lips. “You haven’t seen anything yet. I put on all the extra-special touches when I get there. But Jesse let me borrow some clothes and a makeup kit, so I’m good to go for a few days.”