"I don't want to take advantage of you," I say. "I wouldn't ask if I had another way to pay for school."
"I know."
"How?"
"I can tell." He shifts closer. His eyes find mine. "I want you to live with me. I have air conditioning."
Tempting.
"And a pool."
More tempting.
"I skinny dip every night."
Incredibly, painfully tempting. But it's still out of the question. This apartment is mine. I spent hours arranging the flower decals on the walls. I perfected the cacti garden on the windowsill. This is the first time I've ever had my own space. I can't give that up.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not leaving this place without a good reason." I look Pete in the eyes. It takes great restraint not to crumble and beg him to take me to his place for skinny dipping under the moon.
"There's a lot of fame bullshit. You sure you can handle that?"
"No. But it can't be worse than giving up on law school." I offer my hand to shake. "Do we have a deal?"
"Yeah. I'll take care of the money tomorrow."
We have a deal.
I'm going to law school.
Screw the handshake. I jump into Pete's arms, pushing him onto my bed and knocking his glass of water to the floor in the process.
He laughs. "You want something, ask."
"I want a hug."
He looks at me like he can't believe my response. Still, he pulls me into a close embrace.
I can feel his heart beating against my chest. Hear his steady breath.
It feels right in his arms. Too right. If I keep holding him, I'm going to fall for him.
The doorbell rings. Our food. He goes to get it. By the time I've cleaned the spill, he's back and the room smells like hot sauce and ginger.
"What is that?" I ask.
He sets the food on the counter and unpacks it, checking each dish carefully. There's a vegetable curry in coconut broth and a colorful stir fry with chicken and a dark sauce.
We eat dinner on my bed. Both dishes are flavorful and rich. Pete even admits that the vegetables are fantastic.
After we're finished, he clears the trash, lays me on the bed, and plants a long, deep goodnight kiss on my lips. His hand slides between my legs, skimming the edge of my skirt.
Then it's at his waist, and he's at the door, wishing me goodnight in a voice that says he knows I'm about to touch myself thinking of him.
* * *
The morning is beautiful. The air smells better. The sun shines brighter. Even the graffiti plastered over my shitty neighborhood is more appealing.
I take a long jog. It's hot but even that feels good. I don't have to worry about money for the next year.
