Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
I made it all the way to the door before Clark said, “Sky?”
I turned to look at him. “Yeah?”
“You should stay here.”
“Pretty sure that’s what I’m doing,” I teased.
“You know what I mean. It might not be that long. I have an empty room going to waste, and you’d have to sleep on your mom’s couch otherwise. Seriously, stay here.”
“I…” Really, really wanted to do that. Also, I really, really didn’t want to stay at Mom’s, but it was more the fact that I’d have fun staying with Clark. “I’d make you lose your shit. You saw my apartment. I’m messy. I come in late at night from work. You’re all order and responsibility while I’m chaos and party! Though I wouldn’t throw a party at your place. Cross my heart.” With my finger, I drew an X on my chest for good measure.
“You’re not that bad.” He walked over, and now we stood in the hallway in front of my door—the door. It wasn’t truly mine.
“I’m pretty bad…like, incredibly wild and crazy.”
He laughed. “Well, just know the offer is there, but if you don’t want to…”
“Um, I’d totally pretend I was Pretty Woman-ing it. It’s not that I don’t want to. I’d make all the boys in the Playground jelly.”
He laughed again. It was fun making Clark laugh. I liked it.
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.