Starry Days & Sunlit Nights: Volume 2 - Haze of Shadows

Chapter 2.4 - Sleeping Together

Just her luck to somehow forget her keys in her apartment room. Now she had to suffer the humiliation of asking for her tenant's aid.

The golden-haired landlady sat on the doorstep of her tenant's apartment at the end of the second floor hallway. She was dressed in a scarlet off-shoulder top and a white miniskirt, along with a pair of long, heeled boots. Sapphire studs pierced her earlobes-her favorite set of earrings. In addition to her usual eye shadow and pink lipstick, she had her nails painted to match her top. Sitting on the floor beside her was her folded purple motorcycle jacket and helmet.

Thinking about it again, asking Jay for another favor wasn't so bad, since she usually had him help around the complex anyway. Yeah, this could be easily chalked up as one of those times. Of course, she'd still be open to some of his teasing again, but that was a small price to pay for a roof over her head.

Now that she thought about it, it would be bad for her image if someone caught her in this sort of position. Even if her legs were tired from standing around, it would at least look more dignified.

"Hey Jeanne."

Too late now.

The golden-haired landlady grimaced as she turned to the grinning young man with that ridiculous slicked up hair and olive green eyes.

"Technically, this is the first time you've actually asked for an invitation."

"Shut up and open the door."

Jay chuckled in good humor and unlocked his apartment. The blonde marched in before he could so much welcome her to his abode.

"You sure you want to stay the night here, though?" Jay inquired, letting himself in.

Jeanne's cheeks flushed red, but she continued to face away from him. "It's just one night, and I'm used to your place anyway."

Jay raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you actually feel comfortable in my home?"

Jeanne's blush deepened, immediately recognizing the implications of that. "O-Of course not! Idiot! I mean look at this place, it's a pigsty! I feel sick every time I set foot in here. But at least I know no one's gonna rob this place."

Jay smirked. "So you feel safe here."

"Sh-Sh-Shut up! I never said that."

The more Jeanne frowned, the wider Jay's grin got. Why did this guy have to be so irritating? Even worse, why did she have to fall for such an irritating guy?! No, she refused to believe she had feelings for this idiot; she was probably still feeling desperate for a man in her life, but all of the others are such jerks.

"Anyway, like I texted you? I'll be staying over, and that's that."

"You do remember that I'm a guy, right?"

"So? It's not like you have the balls to jump me anyway."

Jay felt like an arrow hit him. He couldn't deny her provoking words, however. Ever since losing Rebecca, he had lost much of his assertiveness with women, and Jeanne knew that.

She was, after all, the first person in this city who heard the whole story from Jay.

"I've already called for a locksmith; he should be here tomorrow." Jeanne took note of the paper bag her tenant was holding. "What's in there?"

Jay glanced at the object in question. "Oh, it's for the Halloween party tomorrow, at Yumi's school."

"So she asked you to be her date, huh?" Jeanne noted with a sour expression. "That's Marie Florence, right? I graduated there last year, you know?"