Just for Him

lie'

hinks deodorant is optional. Add to that the fact that I was squished in coach (or "economy," as the airline smugly c

dy City. The city of deep-dish pizza, bul

nds, I could feel my bones protest every step. And of course, it was co

y, to myself. "New city, new job, ne

asn't even sarca

oley sun umbrella, and glasses that constantly fog up when I'm stressed. Oh, and let's not forget the adorable stutter that shows up whenever I'm nervous . So, basically always.. I've never dated, never kissed, if my sex l

things like affection, praise, and remembering my name fell through the cracks. If I h

my first job-part-time, in one of her "establishments" (which, now that I think about it, may have been an upscale kink lounge)-and most recently, she got me a position at a top-tier b

e. In an apartment I hadn't seen yet. With a roo

f O'Hare, trying to look like I belonged, but

ing too murder-y. The stairwell reeked of old Chinese takeout and maybe regret. I wrestled

door afraid to disturb

swung open wi

nched

p eyebrows. A fitted tank top and pajama pants with tiny storm clouds on them. I hadn't ex

tly, arms crossed, eyes scan

yeah. I-I m

wed slightly.

S-Sometimes. W-Whe

ways ne

d. Path

d back. "Great. Another shy one. C

ly nice-plants in the window, a couch that had definitely

inside. "I don't do roommate bonding, I eat whatever's in

planning to,

d. "You look like

-That's... pro

was gone. "Bedroom's on the left. Bathroom's d

red a

g," she sai

ithout tripping. I failed. My suitcase caught on the

hed, uni

this twitc

I echoed,

d wide-eyed," sh

. "I... th-

ke, the kind of weird that probably won't s

so I said nothing and fle

r her mutter through the wall, "Great. An

didn't feel quite as ba

y clothes were wrinkled, my stomach was gro

ed to c

one ra

been expecting me. "Settled in already, or a

"Apartment's nice. Roo

t she'll protect you like a rabid li

I admitted. "About the

think you could handle it. Just remember: do the work, stay out

little. "

ate. And your boss? Well. Let's just say

... rea

d to breathe. Monday, you start

, Tori.

py," she warne

as

n the mirror. My glasses were askew. My red hair looked

this," I t

didn't look

ered. "But at

on the door. Mia's

in there

t psyching

The walls are thin and I ha

ot

y face, took a deep b

ast enough. And I was

the nerves and sarcasm and aching