We walk past the girl’s rooms to get to mine. I turn to Harmon before we go inside.
“My bed is smaller than yours,” I say.
I don’t know what size bed he has, but it’s bigger than the king I have. I didn’t know they made beds bigger than that.
“Good. That means there’s no way you’re escaping my grasp.”
I smile as I walk into my room, flipping on the light. I shut the door behind him. He looks around, taking in my lack of things, I’m sure. There is nothing on the walls other than thecurtains over the window, and they’re the same dull navy blue that matches the comforter on my bed.
Harmon turns to look at me. “Why haven’t you decorated? Your sister’s rooms are pretty.”
“What’s the point?”
“To be comfortable. To enjoy your space. To be surrounded by things that make you happy.”
“Is that what your house is?” I ask, feeling both on the spot and defensive.
He grimaces. “No. And that’s exactly why I know it’s what you should do.” He steps closer to me, his hand going to my waist. “You’re not going to lose this apartment, Cassius. Not ever. I won’t allow it. Make it a home. Settle in. Let yourself be happy.”
I clench my jaw and look away, but his fingers grasp it and make me look at him again.
“I am here for you in any and every capacity you need me. I will do anything you ask and give you anything you need.”
“But… why?” The words come out raspy.
“Because you give me the one thing I’ve always wanted.”
“Which is?” I question.
“Acceptance—truly and completely.” His mouth goes to my neck, kissing me softly. “Let’s get to bed. You must be exhausted.”
We undress to our boxer briefs and crawl into bed together. I rest my head on his chest and throw my arm over his stomach. That’s how we fall asleep.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Harmon
I dress myself in the same clothes I wore yesterday, since I have no other options here. Nothing of Cassius’s would fit me properly outside of a sweater, and that won’t work for me.
I run my hands down each item after putting it on, hoping to brush out some of the wrinkles, but it hardly makes a difference.
The bedroom door opens softly, and I’m careful to close it once out of the room. Cassius is still sleeping soundly, and I won’t wake him if I don’t have to. Sounds come from the kitchen, so I walk that way. Chrissy is at the table eating a bagel with an inch of cream cheese and laughing at something on her phone. Cammy is at the stove cooking something in a pan.
“Good morning,” I say.
They both look at me, their smiles bright.
“Morning,” they both return.
“Would you by chance have an extra toothbrush?” I ask.
Chrissy looks at Cammy, who smirks as she shuts off the stove and slides pancakes onto a plate.
“Pretty sure we do,” she says, moving by me to go into the bathroom that’s off the dining room. She digs around in the narrow closet for a few moments and hands me a purple toothbrush.
“Sorry, it’s the only extra.”
“I’m not afraid of colors,” I say.