All Your Perfect Imperfections

Chapter Three

-Avery-

I'd been completely focused on work the first three days, but tonight, I had to devote my attention to something else. As soon as we were home, I sat down on the couch with my laptop and opened up a list of nearby apartment buildings. I hoped I'd be able to find something in my price range that wasn't too far from Devin's condo or from work.

It hadn't been more than ten minutes before I was interrupted by Devin.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking at apartments."

Devin sat down next to me. "Why? Just move in with me. You're already here."

As tempting as it was, I shook my head. "No, I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"We've only been in a relationship for about two weeks. That's way too soon."

"Not when you factor in my time at camp. Besides, we practically lived together then."

"That's different."

"How? We were sleeping together and working together, which is the same thing we're doing here."

"But that's kind of the point. I don't want us to spend too much time together and get sick of each other."

Devin grinned. "You really think I'd get sick of you?"

I leaned my head back against the couch and sighed. "Dev, don't take this the wrong way, but you've never been in a relationship before. You didn't even want a relationship, or want to sleep with the same guy more than a couple times. This is going to be a big change for you and I think the smart thing to do would be to make sure we have some time apart once in a while."

The smile faded from Devin's face, and I instantly felt bad. "Do you think you'll get sick of me?" he asked, his voice quiet.

"No, I meant exactly what I said. Sure, maybe I'll want to do things on my own once in a while, but I'm more concerned about how you're going to feel. I'm not projecting my feelings onto you, I promise."

"Okay," Devin said. "I hear you. But you just got here, and I want you around a lot. All the time, if I'm being honest. Can't we compromise by you waiting a month to get an apartment?"

I already knew that wouldn't work. It would be strange going from living with Devin to not living with him. It was the reverse of how things were normally done.

Devin scooted closer. "Think about it. You have a lot to focus on with starting a new job, and you don't have a car yet. This will take some of the pressure off and allow you to settle in before trying to find a place to live. And it'll let me be around you all the time, at least for a while."

"Even if I agreed to that, I probably can't afford the rent."

"The rent?" Devin asked, squinting at me.

"My half of the rent for your condo."

"I'm not going to ask you to pay rent."

I looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "I let you get away with buying me clothes, but I'm not going to live here for free."

"Well, I don't pay rent. I have a mortgage."

"I know. How much is half of that?"

Devin stared at me. "I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? It's your mortgage."

He shrugged. "My dad pays it."

Now it was my turn to stare. "What do you mean your dad pays it? I thought this condo was yours."