Page 11 of The Deadbeat DILF
“You have a week left to find a new place, right?” I asked.
He nodded. “If I can’t find anywhere, I might stay on a buddy’s couch for a bit. If I get really desperate, I’ll beg my ex-wife for a place to stay.”
So they had divorced. I wondered why, but didn’t want to pry.
“I’m sorry about your situation,” I murmured. He was on the verge of being homeless. I didn’t know him very well, but he seemed like a kind guy.
“Hey, don’t apologize,” he said. “It’s not your fault.” He smiled at me. Despite everything, he didn’t want me to worry about him.
But I did. Despite what my family said, I wasn’t completely selfish. I wanted to help him.
The realization slowly dawned on me.
Icouldhelp him.
“You could stay at my place.” The words blurted out of me before I thought twice.
His eyes widened, and then he paused, like he wasn’t sure whether he misheard. “What? No, I couldn’t do that.”
But I was already nodding. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
Besides,a small voice said in my head,if you let him live with you, this proves you’re definitely not a bad person.
“Just listen,” I said, sitting up straighter. “My apartment is in a good location. I have two spare bedrooms, so there is more than enough space.” He deserved a comfortable place to stay, and a bedroom was way better than a friend’s couch. “It wouldn’t have to be forever, just until you find somewhere decent.”
“Brooke,” he said, his brow creasing. “That’s generous of you, but I can’t accept charity.”
“It’s not charity,” I insisted. “I would still charge you rent.” I tossed out a number that was reasonable but still much cheaper than the market rate. “I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t really mean it. I’ve lived by myself for a few years now. It’ll be nice to have someone else in the house.”
Robert blinked at me. “I … I mean … this is an amazing deal. But are you sure?”
“I’m very sure,” I said. “Just say yes. I’m a lawyer, so I’m automatically very stubborn.”
A laugh broke from him as he shook his head at me. “Well, you are very persuasive. If you’re a hundred percent fine with it, I’d be a fool to say no.”
My heart fluttered, briefly catching me off guard, but I gathered myself. “Then it’s settled. I’ll fix up one of the bedrooms for you.”
Robert leaned forward, and his relieved expression faded into a more serious one. “Thank you, Brooke. You’ve been one of the only people in my corner through this. That means more than I can explain.”
Something soft spread through me as I held his gaze. I knew how he felt — how much it meant to have someone in your corner. That was part of the reason I loved my friends Alison and Emilia so much. They provided me the support and encouragement that my family never gave me.
“I’m just happy to help,” I said.
CHAPTER FIVE
The following Saturday, I no longer lived alone.
“Come in! Set everything down in the foyer,” I said to Robert as he stepped into my apartment with a cardboard box in his hands.
His eyes moved as he took in my large foyer, including the paintings of gardens and pastures that hung on the walls. “Wow. It’s like a museum,” he said, setting his box down on the floor out of the way.
“Thank you,” I said with a laugh, as I led him into the main living area. “I hope you don’t mind that my place is a bit… feminine.” I had a vase of roses sitting on the dining table and my cream colored sofa was covered with pale pink throw cushions and a baby blue blanket.
“I don’t mind at all. It smells good in here.”
I pointed to the wax burner on a nearby wall. “Cotton candy paradise.”
He raised a brow at me. “Cotton candy paradise?”
