Page 90 of Pretty Thing

We walk up two steps and head down a hallway.

“This is the main bathroom.”

Felix flicks on the light, revealing an equally modern space before we continue.

“This is my spare room,” he says, pointing into a room decorated in grey and white.

Then he opens a door that leads into the main bedroom. It is spacious, with a wall of windows and a king-sized bed. Everything is done in black and grey with accents of turquoise and yellow.

I couldn’t have designed a nicer space. It’s a masculine version of what I have at home. Right down to the style of lamps. I love it.

“So…what do you think? Can you picture yourself here?”

I turn around and look at him. Is he serious?

“I think it’s amazing.”

Felix walks toward me and gently tucks a wild piece of hair behind my ear.

“Thanks, I love it too. But it gets lonely. Just having you here makes it feel like a proper home. You know what I mean?” His eyes search mine. “Can you picture it?”

My heart speeds up.

“A home, like living here? Live with you?”

The corner of his mouth twitches.

“You want to live here? Yes, of course you can.”

“Oh, no…I…that’s not what I meant,” I stammer, all flustered.

Felix takes my hand and walks us over to the bed. We sit, and I force myself not to fidget like crazy under his stare.

“It’s not a bad idea. Think about it…why wait? Some people won’t understand, but we do. Life is too short, and I know what I want. Don’t you?”

I chew my lip, my mind racing.

This all seems to be moving far too fast. And leaving my home…I know that was the plan for university, but this is different. That was when my parents were still living there, and the prospect of coming home meant visiting my family.

“Living here with me will make it easier to get to your appointments, and we’d get to spend more time together.” Felix takes my hands into his. “I know you want to get a job while you think about what’s next, and I need someone to handle answering phones, checking clients in, and managing my website,” Felix explains, and it sound reasonable.

But…we haven’t known one another very long and leaving the house so soon seems wrong and…there is a dozen reasons why this is not the right time.

“Felix this is really fast…I don’t know…”

“Eden, when you’re out of the house, you’re so much brighter. I’m genuinely worried that the ghosts are pulling you backward. Even though the familiarity is comforting, it’s stalling your healing. All I want is to keep you safe and make you happy.”

I feel like I’m on an out-of-control ride.

Felix is exciting and so wonderful, but I know my mother would say it’s way too fast. What’s the rush? Slow down. I try to look away, but he moves, so I’m forced to meet his eyes.

“You believe me, right?”

“I do believe you, Felix. But…I’ve never even dated anyone before as embarrassing as that is, let alone date seriously and you want me to move in? I’m not sure I’m ready to leave the only home I’ve ever known. It’s where all my memories are.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes, of course.”