Rain pattered against the wall window in my living room and I tried hard to focus on it and not the young woman who was currently soaking in the Jacuzzi tub in the room above. I sat on the couch with one leg crossed over my other, drumming my fingers on my knee. After so many years of solitude in my house, it felt strange to have another presence around. Sebastian usually only stayed for a couple hours when he came over, but Henley was staying the whole night.

I looked down at the couch where she'd probably be sleeping. Henley was small, but I didn't think she'd be able to lie down comfortably on it. I'd mostly bought it for the sake of the design in my living room and the fact that it was a good brand. It wasn't meant for sleeping on. But what was I supposed to do? Offer for her to sleep in my bed with me? I'd most likely get slapped- and I definitely wasn't going to be the one sleeping on the couch.

She's been through a stressful situation, I scolded myself. I couldn't be selfish at a time like this. I wasn't sure what drove me to invite her over, but I knew I couldn't leave her alone. She seemed to be handling it well, but she also seemed like the person to not show it if she wasn't handling it well. The only glimpse I'd got was when she found out the dress I'd bought her had gone missing.

"It wasn't even a big deal," I muttered to myself, resting my elbow on the armrest of the couch and plopping my chin onto my hand. She'd cried over it. A silly dress. Had she cared about it that much? Was it because I'd bought it for her? Or was it because she thought that it was a waste of money to have it stolen? I couldn't figure her out.

What I did know, though, was that she didn't rely on me at all. I thought I was a rather reliable person and yet she didn't want my help. I didn't understand. Were all girls this hard to understand? Or was I too used to the girls who wanted any attention from me because of my status and wealth? Henley didn't care about that at all.

A sharp pain throbbed behind my eye and I winced, bringing a hand to it. Tonight was not the night for one of my migraines to make an appearance. I debated about waiting it out. Then I felt that dull pulse of pain and decided it'd just be better to take some pills. Sighing, I pushed myself up from the couch and headed to the master bathroom. It'd almost been a week since my last headache. Why return now? The last thing I wanted was to be throwing up all night when Henley was here.

I pushed open the bathroom door, my hand still over my forehead. There was a small gasp and then a splash of water and I stopped dead. I turned before I even realized what I was doing and came face-to-face with a wide-eyed Henley, who had sunk down to her chin in the water. My mouth went dry and I tried to utter an apology but all that came out was, "umf."

"W-what?" she said, her eyes never leaving my face.

My gaze travelled down to the cloudy water that hid her body then it snapped back up and I felt my cheeks warm. "Sorry, I'm not used to-"

"It's okay," she interjected, her voice a couple pitches higher than normal. "It's your house. Do what you need to."

I swallowed, not sure where to look. There was something sexy about Henley when her hair was wet and I didn't want to be having those thoughts about her while she was staying at my house. Or in general. I had to act confident. "I just have to grab something."

"Sure," she answered as I forced myself over to the medicine cabinet.

I hunched my shoulders as I searched for the right bottle. My head didn't feel too bad, so I didn't want to use any of the more expensive prescription pills. However, I also didn't want to be in here any longer so I grabbed the Excedrin bottle and made a beeline for the door.

"And you said you wouldn't walk in on me," Henley taunted as I stepped out.

I closed the door maybe a little harder than I should've and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. In this situation, shouldn't she have been the one more embarrassed than me? Just what kind of girl was she?

My head throbbed again so I returned to the kitchen and got a glass of water, downing two of the pills. Hopefully, they would be enough. I'd been doing well with keeping my headaches at bay. Maybe it was because Henley was over? I didn't feel stressed by her though. Well, that was wrong. I was a little on edge.

I fell back onto the couch and closed my eyes, trying to rest. That lasted about three seconds because my phone started ringing. Groaning, I pulled it out of my pocket and noticed the screen read Henry. "What?" I answered flatly.

"Mr. Calloway!" he cried in such a dramatic manner I winced.

"What?" I repeated.

"This is bad! Really bad!" I could pretty much imagine him biting his nails as he spoke. "Our construction team for the Hawaii resort have announced they are cancelling our contract!"

I sat up straighter in my seat. "What?"

"I contacted your mother, but she said this is your responsibility. You need to talk them back into it!"

"How did this happen?" I demanded. Hadn't things been going fine? Construction was supposed to start next week!

"I'm not sure. I received the call today and I've been trying to solve any issues, but they aren't agreeing to anything. You need to speak to them. You're going to have to come to the office tomorrow."

Go to the office? "I can't," I told him, thinking about Henley. I couldn't let her return to her apartment alone tomorrow. I didn't even want her going back there period. It was too dangerous.

"Mr. Calloway, I don't mean to be rude, but you've been away almost all week. I've been doing what I can in your absence, but I need you to sign some paperwork. And remember our accountant started her vacation, so payroll needs to be done."

"Have my mother handle it," I told him.

"Your mother has made it clear that you are in charge." He paused. "S-she told me to tell you that your brother would've-"

"Do not start," I snapped, my whole body tensing. "Haven't I told you not to mention him? How can you use that against me?"

Henry sucked in a deep breath of air and tried to recollect himself. "I'm just repeating what your mother said to tell you."

"Don't associate with her. I'm the one who pays you so don't worry about losing your job if you don't listen to her," I told him, trying to lighten my tone, even though my skin was crawling. It wasn't Henry's fault. My mother was an intimidating person; she could make almost anyone bow down to her. "What kind of mother would use that against her own son?"

"I didn't want to repeat it," Henry said apologetically. "Your mother is just very serious about this and has noticed your absence this week. This is a crucial moment in your career, Mr. Calloway."

I clenched my jaw. Unfortunately, he had a point. The Hawaii project was my project. I couldn't try to pass it onto anyone else. What kind of example of my leadership would that be? My employees were supposed to respect me, but who could respect a lazy employer?

"I really wish I could do more to help you," he added quietly.

His words pacified me and I let out a quiet sigh. He was a good worker and a better person and I probably didn't deserve him. It wasn't right to take my frustrations about my mother out on him. "I'll come in tomorrow. How long do you think I'll have to be at the office for?"

"I would request you stay for a couple hours to satisfy Ms. Calloway, but I hope that everything will be settled quickly."

"I'll be in," I promised reluctantly. "Thank you for all your help."

"It's no problem. I have a feeling you're going to make this group even greater than it already is."

"Mm, that's some pressure there," I returned light-heartedly. "Have a good night. Come in late tomorrow."

He gave a slight chuckle. "Even if I come in late, I'll still be in the office before you."

I pursed my lips. "You should treat me with more respect than that."

"Oh, sorry. I'll be in before you tomorrow Sir," he corrected himself and then there was a click as he hung up on me.

I shook my head. He was something else. It took guts to tease your boss like that. But I appreciated it. No one would be brave enough to speak like that to my mother. She would fire them. I never would. I was different than her. For example, I would never use my brother's name to force her into doing something. It was cruel. How could she bring him up? Did she want to lose two sons instead of just one? It was like she didn't care.

I smiled wryly, putting my head in my hands. She probably didn't care. She cared much more about the hotel than her own sons. Her sons who were too stressed out too handle so much at once. Which was why Lee...

"Bennett?"

I straightened back up quickly in surprise, turning to see Henley coming down the stairs. There was a frown on her face as she hiked up the pajama bottoms I'd given her in order to not trip as she descended. The shirt I'd lent her was also too large, so the sleeves flapping as she walked. My current thoughts dispersed, being replaced by just one: Cute.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your clothing," she said as she grew closer, shoving the sleeves of the shirt up to her elbow. After a couple seconds, they rolled back down.

I was never one to be at a loss for words. Yet around Henley, I found it happening quite often. Especially when she was wearing my clothes. "Problem not," I said after a moment, tripping over my words.

"Okay, Yoda," she responded with a little laugh.

I pressed my lips together tightly and grimaced inwardly. Smooth. She dawdled by the side of the couch as if unsure if she should sit or not. Her hair dripped at the ends, sending droplets of water onto the expensive leather. I immediately stood up and reached for her, thinking of tucking her hair into the towel around her neck, but then yanked my hand back when an overwhelming feeling of shyness came over me as I took in the exposed part of her throat and her collarbones.

Her eyes widened slightly and she shifted. "What?"

"The water," I started, but stopped myself. Was I really going to complain over a few drops of water? It would only make her more uncomfortable than she probably already was. "Dry your hair properly," I said instead.

She pulled at the wet strands. "I prefer not to towel dry my hair if I don't have to. It makes it more frizzy."

An awkward silence settled in when I didn't respond. I wasn't sure what to say. You might ruin the leather? What if you get a cold? It seemed a little cliché. So I cleared my throat and slid over on the couch, gesturing for her to sit next to me. She did so cautiously and I noticed how much space she put between us.

The quiet continued as neither of us spoke. I thought about putting on the T.V, but wondered if it would offend her. Would she think I was ignoring her? Was this a common thing hosts felt when they had people over? I could hear the clock ticking in the kitchen. I bet I could hear a needle drop.

"Sorry about today," Henley spoke, scaring me.

I tried to cover it by stretching out. "You don't have to apologize."

"I'll be out of here tomorrow," she continued, staring at her lap.

"Henley, I don't think you should go back to that apartment," I told her, frowning. "You should find a new place."

She lifted her head back up, her expression shocked. "What? Why?"

"It's almost uninhabitable. If it can be broken into once, who says it won't be broken into again?"

"But it's the most affordable place," she argued. "I don't want to give it up because of a minor problem."

Minor? She considered that a minor problem? "I'll find you a better place. I'm sure I know someone who could offer you a good deal. I don't mind giving you some money to pay for it either-"

"No," she cut me off in a hard tone. "I'm not a charity case, Bennett. If you want to give out money, give it to the orphanage."

"I do give money to the orphanage," I said, insulted. "I donate and fundraise multiple times a year. I'm not considering you as a charity case. I'm offering because I..." Why was I offering? Normally I wouldn't bother with someone else's personal affairs, but I couldn't leave Henley alone. She appraised me for a moment, biting her lower lip. I hesitated, unsure how I should finish. Friends helped each other right? I'd help out Sebastian in a heartbeat. Henley was the same way. "We're friends, right?" I said cautiously.

She considered this for a moment and finally nodded. "You're right. If I could help you out the same way, I would. But I'm not going to accept any more money from you. I have enough to find myself a new place."

"So you will find yourself a new place?"

"I didn't say that," she responded, but I could see that she was thinking about something. "Maybe I'll look around. But in the meantime, I still have to stay there, so maybe the landlord will fix it up."

"You can stay here," I found myself saying before I realized what exactly I'd just offered.

Her eyes grew wide again. "What?"

"Stay here," I repeated, more confidently.

"I don't know-"

"Think of it as part of our contract," I suggested. "If my mother finds out we're living together, maybe she'll get off my back."

Henley started playing with the ends of her hair, avoiding my gaze. "I don't want to intrude."

"Just until you find another place. I won't mind at all."

"Your couch might get my imprint."

So she was aware of the worth of the couch. That aside, I figured that was her giving up and agreeing to stay. "It's fine, I can easily replace it."

She gave me a dry smile and I felt instantly relieved. "Okay, I'll stay here for a little. One week tops. If I don't find a cheap place, I'm going back to my apartment though. I still have the rest of the month paid for."

A week? That didn't seem like enough time. "Isn't it better to start looking for two-bedrooms?" I asked. "Your brother will be getting out of jail."

Realization came across her face and she grinned. "Oh, that's right! That's a good point actually."

I found myself smirking a bit. Convincing people to do things was always one of my strong points. "I'll ask around."

"I appreciate it, Bennett," she said, offering me a shy smile. "It's been a while since anyone has helped me out like this. I don't exactly know how to feel and I'm not sure what to say."

"It's nothing," I responded, holding up my hand. I didn't want the awkwardness of trying to explain my actions again.

"If you need anything done around the place, leave it to me. Cooking or cleaning or anything really," she continued, more enthusiastic now. "To be honest, I was a little scared of going back to my apartment. You're a surprisingly good guy."

I nodded and then narrowed my eyes at her. "What? Surprisingly? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Hmm, nothing."

"Was that an indirect insult?"

"Hmm, maybe."

My mouth fell open a little. "After I've so gratefully-"

She burst out laughing, effectively silencing me. "I'm just kidding, Bennett. You're pretty easy to tease, huh?"

I folded my arms over my chest. "You think you're funny."

"I'll be here all week," she retorted with a wink.

That's right. She would be here all week. A week with Henley. In my house. Living with me. Having wet hair...

I gave her a half-smile half-grimace, suddenly unconfident with the situation.

___________