"I'll walk you out," he said.
We stepped into the cold February night. The street was empty, quiet, the kind of stillness that only existed in the hours between very late and very early.
"You should quit," Xavier said.
I stopped walking. "Excuse me?"
"The bar." He turned to face me. "You shouldn't have to work two jobs. I can increase your compensation. Cover whatever you'd lose here."
"No."
"Kim—"
"I said no." My voice came out sharper than I intended. "This job is mine. It has nothing to do with you or our arrangement. I'm not giving it up."
He was quiet for a moment. "Let me drive you home, at least. It's late."
"My car is here."
"Leave it. I'll bring you back tomorrow to pick it up."
I should argue. Should insist I didn't need his help, didn't need his concern, didn't need anything from him except the money he'd promised.
But I was exhausted. Bone-deep tired in a way that made the thought of driving home feel impossible.
"Fine," I said.
The drive was quiet. Xavier kept his eyes on the road, and I kept mine on the window. When we pulled up to my building, neither of us moved.
"Thank you," I said. "For the ride."
"Kim." He turned to face me. "I'm sorry about tonight. I didn't know we were coming to this bar. If I'd known…”
"It doesn't matter." I cut him off. "We have an arrangement. What you do outside of that is your business."
"Is it?"
I didn't answer. Couldn't answer. I reached for the door handle, but his voice stopped me.
"I'm too tired to drive back to Manhattan." He said it quietly. Honestly. "I've been up since five yesterday morning. I'll fall asleep at the wheel."
I should tell him to call a cab. Should send him on his way. Should maintain the boundaries I'd insisted on.
Instead, I heard myself say, "You can sleep on my couch."
His eyes widened slightly. "You sure?"
No. I wasn't sure. I wasn't sure about anything anymore. I thought about Zoe. It was Friday night, anyway. Dani always turned in early on Friday nights. Besides, I didn’t want my daughter here while Xavier spent the night.
Not that I wanted to get him alone or anything.
"Just for tonight," I said. "And you're gone first thing in the morning."
"Deal."
We walked up the stairs in silence. The building was quiet, everyone asleep, the hallway dim and empty. I unlocked my apartment and led him inside.
Xavier looked around, taking in the small space. The secondhand furniture. Zoe's toys were scattered in the corner. The drawings were taped to the refrigerator.