Page 17 of Just One Spark

I wondered if he'd leave once he'd seen me to my door.I certainly didn't want to let him in.My apartment wasn't anything to get excited about.It had the bare necessities, and most things worked.That was all that mattered.Once my business took off, I'd look for a nicer place.

But the yellow sheet of paper taped to my door had me drawing to a stop.

Rowan ran into the back of me, then placed a hand on my hip to steady me.

I was busy trying to breathe when he said, "Your apartment has been condemned for mold."

"What?"I asked incredulously.

He moved past me to read the rest of it."Apparently, one of your neighbors found mold in her apartment, and the landlord inspected all of them.It says you can't live here.But you can take your things, and they'll be in touch about fixing it."

My heart was racing.Where was I going to live?

"Can you live with your mom for a few days until you figure something out?"Rowan asked.

My mom stayed in her house with the blinds drawn.She preferred to be alone."I don't think she'd want that."

He frowned."You have a friend you could move in with?"

"Clara's living with Beck now."There was no way they'd want a friend moving in with them.They were still in that new honeymoon stage of their relationship where they were always touching and kissing.Meg was particular about her space after being in foster care as a child, and I didn’t want to ask Jovie since she lived with her grandfather.

Rowan sighed."You can stay with me if you want."

"Oh, that's not necessary.I'll figure something out.Maybe I can get a room at a hotel until I hear back from my landlord."I didn't have insurance on my apartment.Just for the truck.I figured that was more important to protect than my meager personal possessions.

"Hattie, you're staying with me tonight.Let's pack up a few things and get home before the snow gets worse."

I frowned."I couldn't stay with you."

"It doesn't sound like you have a choice.Besides, we're engaged.They'll expect you to move in with me."

I couldn't argue with that, and his place was more attractive than a random motel."Fine."

He waited for me to unlock the door, and I walked inside.

"I'll just be a minute."I hurried toward my bedroom, not wanting Rowan in the apartment any longer than he needed to be.It was a one bedroom with a kitchen and a small living room.I'd been proud to be living on my own, but it wasn't nice.

I grabbed a duffle bag and stuffed clothes and toiletries into it.When it was full, I moved to the living room where he was looking at my family pictures.

He looked over at me."These were taken before?—"

I cleared my throat, not wanting to talk about what my family was like before Dad became addicted to alcohol.I always thought he'd come out of it, holding out hope that he'd go to rehab and get better.But he never had."Are you ready to go?The snow's coming down harder."

He nodded, thankfully not asking any more questions about my family or why all my pictures were from before.I'd thought of my life as before and after Dad's addiction, and Rowan was firmly in the before camp.

He took the duffle from me without asking and slung it over his shoulder as if it weighed nothing."Is this everything?"

"Yup."I held my breath, hoping he wouldn't ask why I didn't have anything else that was worth anything or why I chose to live in this rundown apartment.

He waited for me to lock up, and then we headed down the stairs to his truck."Will your truck be okay here?Or do you want to bring it to my place?"

I chewed my lip."I don't have another vehicle."

He raised a brow."Probably want to drive it to my place then."

Thankfully, he didn't ask why I didn't own a personal vehicle.I'd sold it to get the truck.I told myself everyone made sacrifices when they started a business.

He put my duffle bag in his truck, as if he was afraid I'd change my mind."Follow me.I take a different entrance to get to my cabin."