“Eh.I’ll feel it tomorrow, but it was worth it.”
The look of concern she gives me is as appreciated as it is adorable.
“Here you go, G-man,” Anastasia says as she hands me my cup.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”Her smile widens as she looks between Katelyn and me.“You know, there’s no line; you could take a quick break.”
Katelyn looks hopeful.“You sure?”
“Yeah, go for it.”
“Okay.Be back in ten.”Katelyn hangs her apron on the hook, then comes around the counter.“Feel like taking my break with me?”
I grin at her, overjoyed at the fact that I clearly didn’t make her so angry this morning that she second-guessed what’s between us.“Lead the way.”
She turns and heads toward the back of the house that Anastasia had converted into her shop.Just past the stairs that lead up to Anastasia’s apartment is what used to be the original kitchen.It’s now been turned into a break room, outfitted with a plush couch, a set of lockers, and a bathroom.
Katelyn takes a seat on the couch and pulls out her phone.“Look what Thomas sent me today.”Her grin would have knocked me off my feet if I weren’t already on my way to sitting.
I drop next to her on the couch, trying to leave enough distance so she’s comfortable, but she completely eliminates it by scooting so close that her thigh brushes against mine.
Heat radiates up through my body, but I beat it back down.
Something that becomes a whole lot easier as she distracts me from our close contact with photos of the baseball field and Thomas with his friends.
“He looks like he’s having so much fun, doesn’t he?”she asks, turning to face me.
“Absolutely.”
She hugs the phone to her chest for a moment, then sets it aside.“I’m really glad I let him go.I was so nervous about it, but it’s been really good for him.”
“I think so, too.”I take a sip of my coffee.
“Look, about this morning,” Katelyn starts.“I’m sorry I got so defensive.It’s just—Garrison, that is your apartment.”
“It’s just a couple of rooms and a kitchen,” I tell her.
“It’s your home.”
“My home has never been a place,” I tell her.
She sighs.“It feels selfish of me.”
“I offered.”
“I know, but…” she trails off.“Okay.”
“Okay?”Absolutely delighted, I set my coffee aside and take her hands in mine.
“Okay, but I want to talk to Geoff first and confirm what you said about the rent.I refuse to let you keep paying the two-bedroom rates if you’re staying in my apartment.”
“Go right on ahead and call him.”I grin at her, glad I already made that phone call first.Geoff confirmed that he hadn’t changed prices and that he had no intention of doing so.Since he inherited the building from his late mother, his only goal is to make sure it doesn’t get sold to a builder who will tear it down and turn it into condos or a multi-purpose structure.
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”I lean in and press my lips to hers.“I think we should go out tonight and celebrate your new apartment.”