234 Ashton in Sabrina's apartment 1

Sabrina swiped the card key and the gate of the underground parking opened.

Ashton observed that it's a building close to Pike Place Market in the heart of Seattle.

She pulled into an enclosed garage for two cars which opened via remote in the glove compartment.

They exited the car and Ashton gave Sabrina a questioning look. So far, she didn't explain where they are going or why, and he didn't care. But now his curiosity bubbled. This is his first time to see that a building has an enclosed garage, usually, it's just parking spots divided by lines.

"You mentioned that you would need separate storage. Is this enough space?", Sabrina asked Ashton while gesturing at the empty space next to her car.

It's a two-car garage and other than Sabrina's sedan there is nothing else. The heavy-duty shelves on the wall are empty, and the garage is extra-deep so even with two cars, there would be plenty of storage space.

"Absolutely. This is more than enough." Ashton paused and glanced at Sabrina. "Are we still doing that exercise where I get to tell you about my perfect housing situation?"

Sabrina smiled. "Something like that. This is more concrete, so that I can envision the space and you get to see different options."

They went to the elevator and Sabrina swiped her card key and pressed number 27.

The hallway on the 27th floor extends from one side of the building to another, featuring windows with a small lounging area on each side. The floor is tiled with marble and there are plants between doors. Ashton counted four apartment doors and one exit for stairs. With an elevator, that is a total of six doors, and considering the size of the building, he can already guess that the apartments are massive.

Sabrina punched the passcode and opened the door to the apartment.

"Come in.", she invited Ashton to follow after her.

Ashton walked in and after a short hallway, they found themselves in the living room which is larger than his whole apartment. An L-shaped sofa in different shades of grays is facing a massive television mounted on the wall and a fireplace below it. The lamps, the curtains, area rug, coffee table… everything is modern and cozy.

The walls have painted rounded geometric shapes in different shades of gray and they extend to the ceiling. And the metallic decorations on the walls compliment the design on the wall perfectly.

"What do you think?", Sabrina asked.

He assumed that they are in an apartment which she uses to demonstrate her designs. "Did you decorate this?"

Sabrina hummed in approval.

"It's amazing.", Ashton smiled, and his eyebrows shoot up when he saw the kitchen behind Sabrina. There are a gas stovetop and double oven and plenty of cabinetry. The fact that everything is spotless told Ashton that no one is cooking in that kitchen and that also means that no one lives here, so this is definitely an apartment for Sabrina to demonstrate her designs.

Sabrina can see that Ashton likes the kitchen.

"Can you see yourself living in a place like this?"

Ashton looked at Sabrina like she is joking. "In a place like this?"

"Don't think about the money. Look at the space.", Sabrina reminded him.

Ashton walked to the large glass door and opened it before stepping on the balcony. He looked at the amazing view of the Pike Place Market and the piers behind it. He turned to Sabrina. "I assume this place has more than one bedroom."

Sabrina confirmed and gestured to the side hallway where rooms are. "It's a three-bedroom apartment with a bonus room."

Ashton walked in the direction she gestured. After a small hallway, he found himself facing four doors. He opened the last one on the left which revealed a massive bedroom with a king-size bed. The floor-to-ceiling windows covering two walls are providing magnificent views and confirming that this is a corner unit.

The bed has a luxurious white cover with silver curvy geometric patterns and many fluffy pillows on it.

Ashton moved toward the bed and threw himself on it. He spread his arms while staring at the ceiling which has geometric patterns painted in different shades of grays, similar to the ones he observed in the living room.

"Rina, even if I don't think about the money, this is way more than what I need."

Sabrina leaned on the bedpost and observed him with a small smile lingering on her face. She thought that he is unbelievably cute, in a handsome kind of way.

"What if you have a roommate?"

Ashton frowned and gave her a side-glance. "I told you that random people are out of the question and…"

"Am I one of the random people?", she interrupted him.

Ashton shook his head vigorously. "Of course, not. But I can't imagine that you need a roommate."

"It's a three-bedroom with a bonus room. I'm using one bedroom and the bonus is my work area. You can use the other two bedrooms. And half of the garage."

Suddenly, Ashton was hit with a realization. "This is your place?"

Sabrina nodded.

Ashton swallowed hard and scrambled off the bed.

"I am sorry. I didn't know…", he stuttered while clumsily patting the bed cover with his palms so that the imprint of his body is not visible.

Sabrina laughed. "It's OK. I was sitting on your bed without asking for permission." She wanted to say that they kissed as well, but she swallowed those words back.

Ashton turned to Sabrina and observed her face intently like he is trying to find some secret message. "Are you serious about this roommate thing?"

"Do you think I'm joking?"

Ashton exhaled in defeat. "Even if you are not joking, there is no way that I can afford half of the rent."

"Well, there is no need. I own the place. You can pay the HOA dues which are slightly above $900 and cook me dinner once a week. Other than two bedrooms, you will have access to the gym and the game room on the second floor, clubhouse with a complimentary bar on the third floor, and there is an indoor pool on the ground floor and security at the entrance. You can use half of the garage for storage and I promise not to steal your things."

Ashton held his breath. This is much much bigger than what he currently has. Actually, this apartment is massive! And his tiny studio is costing him $1300 a month, he does not want to think how much this apartment costs. If he accepts her offer, he gets to be a roommate with Sabrina! He wanted to pinch himself to make sure he is not dreaming, but his body refused to move.

Sabrina took his silence as a 'no' or 'maybe' at best. "I understand if you need to think about it."

"No, no… there is nothing to think about. I never got a better deal in my life.", Ashton said quickly. He took a deep breath to calm down. "But I need to ask, why are you doing this?"

Sabrina opened her mouth to respond, but instead of saying anything, she inhaled sharply. Her heart was beating wildly, and she realized that maybe she was too rash. But this is what she wants to do, to be close to Ashton.

Ashton took a step closer and they were only a few inches apart. "Sabrina? Tell me…", he urged her.

Sabrina was lost in his hazel eyes and she knew that she needs to respond, it's only fair. She forced herself to break eye contact by lowering her gaze. "I am sorry Ashton…"

His heart sank but he forced himself to stay quiet and not to move because whatever is coming next, he needs to hear it.

"I am selfish. I know that I shouldn't think what I am thinking, and I shouldn't feel what I am feeling, but…" Sabrina lifted her head and she could see how anxious he is. It took her a second to push the rest of her words out: "I can't stop thinking about you."

His eyes widened in slow motion. Did he hear her right? She can't stop thinking about him?

Ashton's arms moved on their own and he pulled Sabrina in his embrace.

She was stiff for a moment and then she inhaled the scent of his aftershave and wrapped her arms around him. It took her a few seconds to relax completely and to realize how enjoyable is to be in his arms. His hold is firm and gentle and solid and it's wonderful.

Ashton took a deep breath and smiled. This is better than anything he experienced so far; and better than a dream or any imagination. Sabrina fits into his embrace perfectly, she belongs there.

They stood like that for an unknown measure of time and eventually Ashton acknowledged that as much as the current situation is beyond amazing, there are few things they need to clarify.

"Rina?"

"Yes?"

"If I move in here, what will happen when you stop thinking about me?"

Sabrina subconsciously tightened her hold on him and spoke while hiding her face at the crook of his neck. "Honestly, I have no idea what is going on. This whole weekend I struggled not to call you, and I even contemplated driving to your apartment. I never felt like this… out of control."

"Why didn't you call me?" When she didn't answer his question for some time, he asked another one: "Is it because of Jackson?"

She responded with a small nod.

"What will happen if he sees me here?"

Sabrina shook her head. "That is close to impossible. Jackson was here only once when I got the place, and that was about six years ago when my family organized a housewarming party."

Ashton thought how that is odd. Sabrina has this apartment for six years and Jackson visited only once? It confirmed his previous assessment that something is off between Sabrina and Jackson, but at this point, he didn't want to ask more questions about Jackson. Maybe Jackson does not come here, but that does not mean that they don't meet somewhere else, maybe at his apartment and Ashton does not want to know about it.

Ashton told himself to stay away from the topic of Jackson, because if Sabrina thinks that he is relevant, she will bring him up.

Sabrina cleared her throat. "Any more questions?"

"Can I see the rest of the apartment?"

Sabrina inched away from him with difficulty. She found it silly that her body is resisting coming out of his embrace.

"Follow me...", she said with a smile, elated by the increasing possibility of Ashton accepting her offer.

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