Page 99 of Paradigm

“I don’t know. I didn’t think about it.”

“Eline, I could have brought, like, one bag and had the rest of the stuff shipped or just bought some here. I’m already sweating from carrying all of it this far.”

“You’re sexy when you sweat,” Eline said with a wink.

Arlowe hadn’t expected that, and it had her swallowing, but then she decided to pull off the light sweater that she’d needed for the flight and tie it around her waist instead, leaving her in a short-sleeved scoop-neck T. Eline pushed open the green front door and turned just in time to see her lift one of her bags the few stairs in front of her.

“Oh.”

“Like what you see?” Arlowe teased as she set the bag down and flexed her small muscles.

“Yes,” Eline said. “I’ll get this one upstairs, unlock the door, and come back.”

Arlowe laughed and lugged the other bags inside, closing the door behind her. It felt like hours but was probably only ten minutes later that they had all of her stuff upstairs and inside Eline’s apartment.

“Well, what do you think?” Eline asked after she closed and locked the door. “Please keep in mind that I didn’t decorate it.”

“Wow! It’s nice,” she replied as she went to remove her sweater from her waist and lay it over a chair by the table in the small kitchen that was just inside the door.

“I know it’s way smaller than what you’re used to back home, but it’s good for just us, don’t you think?”

The living room was straight ahead and had a small sofa with a modest TV on a stand across from it, along with a table in the middle. There was some pretty standard artwork on the walls and a big window that faced out to the street.

“The bedroom is just through there, and the bathroom is in the bedroom, so this is pretty much it. Tell me you like it, because if you don’t, I–”

“Babe, it’s great,” she interrupted. “You know I don’t need much.”

“But this place could probably fit inside your entire bedroom.”

“I don’t think that’s true, and it’s fine, Eline. It’s much better than my dorm room or your old apartment.”

“Right, but we’re both going to be working from home.”

Arlowe turned and pulled Eline into her.

“How is that any different than us studying together on my twin bed? Besides, if I bother you, you can just kick me out, and I’ll go work at a café or something.”

She kissed Eline quickly.

“You won’t bother me. I’m so happy you’re here, Arlowe.”

Eline kissed her this time.

“Me too, but I feel gross, so is there any chance that this tour can take me in the direction of a shower?”

“Yes.” Eline nodded. “You can borrow my stuff for now until you get unpacked.”

Eline pulled her down a short hallway and into the bedroom after she pointed out that the door across from the bedroom was a small storage closet where the water heater was also located.

“Okay. So, this is our room,” Eline told her, motioning around the space.

“A full bed, huh? We’ll have to snuggle real close every night,” she said before she kissed Eline on the neck.

“Pity,” Eline joked, which made Arlowe laugh.

“Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be right out.”

Arlowe hooked her thumb toward the bathroom.