Someone Like You Read Free Page A

that route in forever,
    not since she’d arrived from the airport that first day. She had no money to spend on
    taxis or a car, and instead used public transportation as much as she could. Or she
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    walked: to and from college, to and from work. Back and forth to the grocery shop, the
    video store, etc. She walked and yet…she wasn’t losing weight. Sighing, she bumped
    her forehead against the window, and tried to forget about everything but the way the
    car’s air conditioning was cooling down her body temperature. “You can park there, next
    to that blue Honda.”
    “Okay.”
    Two minutes later and they were on the sidewalk in front of her apartment
    building. “Thanks, Nick.” She waved as she walked up the first step, only for him to
    follow her. “What are you doing?”
    “I’m not leaving until I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
    “I’m fine. See, I’m walking on my own two feet.”
    “And you’re also swaying like you’ve been downing shots all day long. Come on,
    Leah, let’s get you inside.”
    “I’m not swaying!”
    Nick only chuckled, his arm once more finding its place around her waist. She
    couldn’t help but stiffen when he drew her closer to him. “Which floor?”
    “Second. Left door.” He stayed with her as they climbed up another flight of
    stairs, stayed with her while she searched for her keys in her purse, stayed with her as
    she opened the door and stepped inside. That’s when she turned around and blocked
    his way. “I’m here now, thanks for getting me home in one piece.”
    “Move, Leah, I’m coming in.” And just like that, he was inside her apartment.
    It wasn’t much, just a tiny bedroom and the kitchen and living space crammed
    together but she’d taken great pains in decorating it with pages cut off from magazines,
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    chipped earthware and even cheaper flowers from the market. The walls were painted a
    bright yellow and she’d made cushions out of saris. All in all, she was damn proud of
    her home.
    Nick stood in the middle of the living-room, feeling like a giant in the tiny space.
    “It’s…nice.”
    “It’s small but I like it.” She shrugged as she dropped her purse onto the love seat
    she’d rescued. “Would you like something to drink?”
    “No, thanks. It’s hot in here, why don’t you turn the A/C on?”
    “I don’t have air-conditioning in here. Too expensive.”
    He froze. “So why did I bring you back here?”
    “I don’t know.” She looked at him weirdly. “It was your choice.”
    “Amazing.” He racked a hand through his hair, making it stand up. “I wanted you
    to cool down a little, relax, but it’s as hot in here as it was in the café!”
    “I thought you didn’t feel the heat?”
    “Oh, come on!” He bit back a retort. “Let’s go, I’ll take you to my place instead.”
    She felt her eyes widen. He wanted to take her to his home? “I’m fine here, don’t
    worry. I’ll just take a cold bath or something.”
    “Okay, go do that.” He slowly lowered himself until he was half-reclining on the
    floor pillows then crossed his arms over his chest.
    She looked at him as if he’d gone mad. “I’m not going to take a bath with you
    here. Are you crazy?”
    He grinned. “Why not?”
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    “I don’t know you!” His left eyebrow rose. “I know of you, I don’t know you.
    There’s a difference!”
    “Not really. You know damn well that if I do anything, you could run to the nearest
    tabloid and tell on me. So why don’t you get undressed and pour that cold bath? I’ll be
    waiting.”
    She gulped. “Nick, I don’t…”
    “I won’t leave until I know you’re all right,” he added, his voice soft. “Trust me,
    Leah.”
    “I don’t know you.” She tried again, but he didn’t even acknowledge her latest
    comment.
    He simply watched her, his eyes doing a slow tour of her body as if he could see
    what she looked like underneath her uniform. She grimaced, imagining how she must
    look like. Sweaty, frizzy