Gripping my mug how I was, I nearly dropped it in my relief when Garrett’s voice permeated through the wood. “Madison.”
I set the mug on the bar, shuffling over and unlatching the door. Pulling it open, I hid behind it, embarrassed. I knew I’d have to thank him eventually; I just hadn’t realized it’d be right now.
He removed his shoes, never taking his eyes off the side of my face peeking around the edge. “Is it okay that I’m here?”
I nodded, stepping around the door to shut it. “Yes. I made coffee; would you like some?” I watched him set his shoes—and mine—on the floor and wrang my hands, aware I looked even worse than I had that morning. The thought was depressing.
When he didn’t reply, I looked up, worried he was already regretting getting involved in my mess. His eyes were on my exposed legs, and his lips pressed into a flat line as he trailed his gaze up to my face. He cleared his throat, “Is it spiked?”
That drew a laugh from my throat. The man never failed to catch me off guard. “I wish. Liquor is usually above my budget, but after everything that happened today, I might make an exception.” I offered him a tentative smile, walking back to the kitchen.
He cleared his throat a second time, eyes darting away. “Coffee would be great.”
Thankful for something to do, I grabbed a second mug and poured him a large cup. He looked uncomfortable, and I had a feeling it had to do with my choice in clothing and the fact it was his. And why wouldn’t it? I’d practically answered the door looking butt naked underneath his hoodie.
Good job, Madison. Now the neighbor thinks you strut around naked in his clothes. Perfect.
“So, you going to tell me what that was?”
I handed him his coffee, pushing the creamer toward him. “It was nothing. I’m sorry you had to deal with it. I promise I don’t normally have drama.” At least, not anymore.
“I’m going to need you to do better than that. He told me he was your husband.”
He might as well have struck me. “No! I mean, he used to be. But we’ve been divorced for about three years, so I don’t know why he’d tell you that.”
I felt Garrett’s gaze like it was nestling inside my chest, making itself at home and searching for answers. “You said everything that happened today. What else happened?”
“Just something with an asshole guy at work.”
“What do you mean? What’d he do?”
“Decided he was entitled to something he wasn’t.” I flicked my wrist. Rob was definitely not something I wanted to get into right now. “It’s fine; it was taken care of.”
His jaw tightened. He wanted to ask more. So, I did what I did best. I wiped the pained expression from my face, morphed it into something calm, and changed the subject.
“Did you see the landlord when he came out today?”
His brow creased, “No, but I was at work for most of the morning. Why did he come out?”
I took a sip of my coffee, leaning over the counter and sliding my socked feet back and forth across the tile like an ice skater. “I’m honestly not sure. I’ve been sending in fix-it tickets for my dishwasher and patio door, and he’s never shown up.” I shrugged, looking up in time to catch his eyes darting back to my face from wherever they’d been.
“Then how do you know he was here?”
“He cleaned up my fence and yard.”
“Huh.” His expression shuttered, becoming suspiciously neutral.
“I’d thought maybe he’d done it while he was here fixing the dishwasher, but it doesn’t appear so.”