Risk & Reward

Twenty

Shi breathes out heavily as she turns the ignition, leaning her head back on her seat. She'd felt on edge the whole day. The last person she would have guessed to show up in her real life was C, and after the intense feeling of discomfort she'd got from him at Ashton's show, she's not sure how she feels about him working for her now.

She startles hard as a soft knock comes from her window, turning in surprise to see Calum grinning at her. In all the mess of the job and C she'd forgotten Tay has given him her address.

"What?" She carefully pushes open her door, grabbing the mess of a pile on the passenger seat from the last twenty-four hours.

"I asked Tay for your address, I was really bummed when you had to leave. So I came to surprise you." Calum's cheeks glow slightly pink as he shrugs.

"You have no idea how wonderful it is that you did." She shakes her head softly, leaning into his shoulder to halfway hug him around what both she and he are carrying.

"Rough day?"

"Definitely not the best." She nods, locking her car and leading him to the stairs.

"I brought stuff to make you dinner, if that might help." He offers as they climb towards the third floor.

"Honestly, I want a shower, and food, and now that you're here, to be class 5 clingy and let go of all of today." She chuckles dryly, finding her apartment key as they reach the door.

"That works for me. Point me in the direction of your pans and I'll have dinner almost ready when you get out of a nice shower." He offers, glancing around her small apartment as he sets his bags on the counter.

"Dig around if you need anything, pans are on the left of the stove in the lower cabinet. Drawer above them is where hot pads and such are. Spices are in the drawer to the right of the stove, cooking utensils are below the spices, and eating utensils are next to the sink." She points out.

"Perfect. I'll figure it all out and I'll only interrupt your showering off the day if I manage to set this place on fire." He jokes, pulling her into a quick kiss.

"Please don't, I need to wash the day off." She laughs, "I'll try not to be too long though."

"Take all the time you need." He offers, turning back to his grocery bags as she heads through the door to the right of the kitchen, sitting between where the living room space is and him.

Re-tying her hair into a messy bun, Shi turns the shower on hot, finding some lounge clothes to change into after she's done. The hot water feels better on her skin than she'd like to  admit, and she stands under it far longer than she'd planned to. Only pulling herself from the steamy haven as the smell of garlic permeates the room, making her stomach growl loudly.

Drying off, she lotions her body before dressing, making sure her minimal makeup hadn't turned her into a raccoon before heading out to find the source of the incredible smell.

"Hey. Feel better?" Calum smiles at her as she wanders back into the main living space.

"Much. Just hungry now." She nods, cuddling herself into his side as he closes the oven he'd been peeking into.

"Dinner's almost ready. Do you want to talk about your day?"

"It really shouldn't have been a big deal." She sighs, "I got the initial issue resolved fairly quickly, but Caleb hired a new guy for his install team and I don't know if I like him..."

"What makes you say that?"

"Remember that guy that was hanging out with me at Ashton's show, that I told you gave me weird vibes?"