“You’re ridiculous.” She rolled her eyes, but then smiled. “But that was the right thing to do. I’m sure she’ll thank you, if she doesn’t kill you first.”
“I like to ask for forgiveness. Not permission. And I knew that look. She’s overwhelmed. I might as well take something off her plate.”
I didn’t mention the fact that I was the reason she was overwhelmed. I didn’t know when I could.
Grace and I had a lot to talk about, which was why dinner was a good idea. I needed to make it clear that she could ask anything she needed of me. I wished she’d called me and not Wren first. I needed to fix what I’d messed up.
“That was actually sweet. Who knew you had it in you?”
My shoulders tensed. I still didn’t want to be seen as what I wasn’t. Maybe I should’ve worked out the deal when Grace and I were alone.
“Now, our job,” I reminded Wren. “We’re working in the apartment above Theo’s coffee shop, right?”
She blinked at the topic change, but nodded. “Yep. I have all the permits and just need to rewire it.”
“What’s the plan here? Is Theo gonna live here?”
“No, he has his own place. This is for someone else to move into.”
“Is Theo okay with that?”
“He doesn’t own it,” Wren said. “He rents it from the grant, and they approved me to fix up all the apartments I want to.”
“Allof them?”
“Yep. So you can join. They’re even paying the full rates.”
I turned to her. “Agrantagreed to the rates we usually charge the big businesses?”
“Yep. Didn’t even bat an eye.”
“I ... what grant is this?”
“You’re asking the same questions I am.” She only shrugged. “But it does pay, and I wanna use it while it’s here. Besides, I have to be competitive to keep you here.”
“I thought you didn’t want me here to cause problems.” It was supposed to come out light, like a joke. But bitterness had crept in.
“I only meant don’t break hearts,” she said. “But I figured you would do what you wanted. And then you surprised me.”
I hadn’t surprised her. She just didn’t know what I’d done.
The fact of the matter was, Wren was right to try and warn me. I didn’t listen, and look at where I got. I did hope that when the news came out, it didn’t reflect badly on her. That would only make me feel worse.
“Yeah, I surprised you.”
“Anyway, I’m sorry if I came off rude. I just really like it here.”
And she didn’t want me messing it up.
“I know,” I said. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Even if you’re not?—”
“The apartment,” I said. “Can you show me around? I don’t wanna keep you too late.”
“Right, the apartment. You’re always very on topic when you’re avoiding things.” She smirked at me and led me inside.
I was glad when I knew what I needed to do and was able to get to work. I had a lot on my mind. I needed to figure out how long I could stay before I ruined what I had with Clyde. Mom had talked to him, and he told me to take the time I needed, but I hated having to use that. I’d never left him high and dry before like this.