Hopping down into an empty alley, I slip my armor off and stuff it into my backpack. I walk the rest of the way back to my building and breathe a deep sigh of relief once I’m inside.

Heading up the steps, my heart stops for a moment in shock. Sitting on the steps across from my door is Ken. “Oh! How long have you been here.” I walk over to my door and unlock it, holding it open for him.

“Not long,” he stands up and gestures for me to enter first. “I sent you a couple of texts but I figured you must have been out at the gym again since you didn’t answer.” I chuckle with my back turned so that he can’t see my nervous expression. “So I figured I’d surprise you instead.”

“Well, consider me surprised!” I walk to the kitchen to grab a couple glasses and a bottle of wine. “Would you like a drink?”

Ken shakes his head no and sits down on the couch. “Sadly no, I don’t think I should. I’m making my TV debut tomorrow.”

“Oooh! How so? Did you get hired to star in a commercial for being so handsome?” I take a seat beside him with my own glass of wine to sip on.

His laugh is so pure it puts a smile on my face. “No, sadly. It’s more of an interview on the news I suppose.”

“You suppose?” I raise an eyebrow and take a long drink to emphasize my skepticism.

“I guess you’ll just have to watch the news tomorrow to find out.” He leans back in a faux suave manner.

“You realize there’s a lot of news channels, right?” I tilt my head to the side. “Mind telling me which one?”

“Just pick one, I’m sure you’ll get the right one.”

“That’s a lot of faith to put in me…” I place the glass down on the table with a groan.

“I believe in you.” Ken puts a hand on my shoulder to reassure me.

“I’m guessing that means you won’t be staying the night again?” I lean towards him.

He sighs and looks down for a moment. “Sadly, no. But I think I could stay for a little longer…”