#Chapter 16: That Kind of Invitation

Audrey My face instantly paled upon hearing Edwin’s proposal. “You can stay with me tonight.” Without meaning to, I took a step back and quickly shook my head. “No!” I blurted out. “I can’t. I—” “Relax, kid.” Edwin finished stirring the pasta and tapped the wooden spoon on the side of the pot, then reached over to saute the garlic and spices in the pan. “I didn’t mean it like that. I have a spare room here you can use.” My mouth worked uselessly for a moment as I watched him work. A thousand refusals reached the tip of my tongue, but they all died there. I didn’t have much of a choice; Linda was waiting outside my dorm to get revenge, and besides… Dinner was ready. … The guest room that Edwin showed me to was small, just big enough for a twin-sized bed, a side table, and a dresser. He flicked the lamp on, casting the little room in a cozy amber glow as he began stretching the clean sheets over the bed. In the far corner were some pi