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Oliver doesn’t argue with it; yet another uncharacteristic action for him, but one I’m thankful for in the moment. He gives me a friendly smile and bows his head, respectfully letting me go.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he says. “Goodnight, Paige.”
“Goodnight, Oliver.”
As if on some cosmic cue, the crowd in the bar parts slightly, giving my petite frame enough space to bolt into the open lobby.
Well, that was casual, all right.
Casually embarrassing.
CHAPTER 19
OLIVER
“I have something for you.”
Richard held up his hand and my eyes instantly locked on the flat, golden key pinched between his fingers.
“What’s that?” I asked, annoyed and ready to leave.
“It’s the spare key to my apartment,” he said, keeping it between us.
Richard, you charming devil.
What are you up to now?
I turn the page with a quick glance at the clock next to the bed. Just after midnight. I told myself I wouldn’t read past twelve, but I can’t help it if this chapter goes long, right?
And besides… I don’t know if I can sleep anyway after what happened earlier.
I shake it off to focus on the literary distraction in my hands instead.
I nodded. “I can see that. It’s very shiny. You must be proud.”
Richard smiled, pleased by my sarcasm. I’m sure he thought that means his charm was working as intended, but no. It was not.
I wanted to go home.
He moved the key a little closer to my hand. “Here,” he said. “It’s yours.”
“Why are you giving me a key to your apartment?” I asked with a snort. “We barely know each other.”
“I’m giving you a key to my apartment because I want you to use it.”
“You...” I shifted on my toes. “You want me to use it?”
“That’s correct.”
“Like, you want me to move in with you? Richard, that’s?—”
“No,” he said over me. “When you find yourself at home… all alone, late at night...”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, I see.”
“With an itch you can’t scratch.” He smiled. “I’ll be waiting.”
I smile. Nice move, dude.
