She wasn't really doing a good job of convincing me she was okay with me walking her home but she didn't tell me no so I guess that's something. Was it the sigh that gave it away? I watched as she thanked the bartender like an old friend and carefully made her way to the door. I kept myself close in case she lost her balance but it was hard to find that line between looking creepy like I want to touch her and giving her so much space that it's like she disgusts me. That last one certainly wasn't the case. The woman was hauntingly beautiful, but she definitely had secrets. Did I really need that in my life? Probably not, but then again, maybe it would be a good distraction from the shit hole that was my life lately. When Emmy suddenly stopped outside the bar and turned to face me, I pulled up short and almost stumbled, catching the wall with my hand while I furrowed my brows in question. I definitely wasn't expecting her to say she'd been living on the street. For a moment, I was frozen, left blinking as I tried to process it. How could a girl like her be homeless? She wasn't unkempt and trashy looking like one would expect. I could tell she didn't exactly want to share that information with me. Guess she didn't want me to just walk her to an alley and wonder why she didn't give me a house number or something. Then again, I probably would have just thought she considered me a creep and didn't want me to know where she lived. I watched, still speechless, as she ran a hand through her hair and said that she lived in a tent beneath the bridge. Glancing down at the sidewalk, I put my hands in my pockets and slowly licked my lips as I tried to take it all in. So she was really homeless? "Huh." Was all I could think of to say at first. Her next words really made my chest tighten though and that's what finally spurred me to lift my gaze and find words. "What? Why would that make me run? Do I seem that shallow?" As soon as the words were out of my mouth though, I couldn't help but shake my head with a small chuckle as I held my hand up. "You know what? Don't answer that, cause it probably wouldn't help my argument." My face sobered as I searched her expression for a moment. "No, I'm not running, Emmy. I'm sure you can handle yourself, but what if you don't have to?" Sighing, I ran a hand through my own hair this time as I looked back at the ground, feeling sheepish for a minute as I slowly chose my words. "At least for tonight, could you come to my hotel? I just...I can't stand the idea of you sleeping out on the street after you've been drinking." Trying to guess where her own thoughts might go, I quickly put up my hands in surrender. "Nothing will happen. I'm not expecting any favors. I just...I would sleep better knowing you passed out in a bed behind a locked door...." My brows furrowed again as my voice trailed off. I could already imagine the leeches that roamed beneath that bridge at night, who might think a drunk girl is easy prey. It made my neck hair stand up to even think about it. ![]() |