“Are you a complete moron?” I shook off his hand and slammed the door. “The only thing you know about me is that I tried to steal your dead grandmother’s ring, and you want me to stay here? Overnight? In your house?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Sure. Why not?”

“Why not?” I pulled my hood off and unzipped the jacket. “I’ll tell you why not: the second your back is turned, I might rob you blind. Did you stop to think about that?"

He laughed, somewhat bitterly. “You lost the only thing I had that was of any value.”

“Maybe I’m a serial killer.” I took the jacket off and threw it on the floor. “Did you think about that?”

“You’re not a serial killer.”

“You have no way of knowing that.”

“Yes, I do. I looked into your eyes.”

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard! How the hell did you survive to adulthood?”

“Why are you being so rude?”

“Because you’re being a dumbass!”

“You’re being the dumbass. I’m trying to help you, and you’re getting angry at me!”

“I’m not angry, I’m exhausted. Where’s my room, Numb-nuts?”

“You know, there’s no need to…You don’t have to be…. Why are you such a…”

I had finally irritated him so much; he couldn’t finish a complete sentence. I felt smug, as if I had accomplished a great feat.

“Such a what?” I asked. “Go on, finish.”

Instead of finishing or launching into a tirade, Lucas took a deep breath and said, “The spare room is this way.”

I followed him upstairs and down the hall to the last room on the left. 

“It’s not The Ritz,” he said, “but it’s comfortable.”

I walked in and turned on the light. “Great, bye now.” 

I started to close the door, but Lucas pressed his hand against it.

“For the record,” he said, “I’m not as naive as people think I am. I know I make decisions that seem crazy, and sometimes it all ends up in disaster, but good things can come out of disasters. I’m just following my instincts. Haven’t you ever done that, just follow your instincts?”

He leaned in, dangerously close. I didn’t know if he was going to kiss me, or if he was only trying to make his point. I decided to deflect, just in case.

“Do you mind if I use the shower? It’s been a couple of days since I’ve had one, and I gotta tell ya, I’m smelling pretty ripe.”

He backed away. “Uh, yeah, that’s fine. You have your own bathroom in there. It should have everything you need. If not, just call me, and I’ll be right in. I mean, I won’t be right in; I’ll knock first. I wouldn’t just barge in while you’re naked. That would be…” He paused for a moment with a faraway look in his eyes, then he shook his head and continued. “Inappropriate. That would be inappropriate. Um, I’ll find some of my sisters’ old pajamas for you and leave them on the bed. So, um, make yourself at home, and I’ll see you later.”

“Lucky me,” I said as I closed the door.

I hurried into the bathroom and locked the door, wondering just what the heck I was doing. Lucas’s friendliness and unsolicited concern made me feel all smothered. It was good to finally have a little privacy. I took a long shower, until the hot water ran cold. When I came out, a nightgown was waiting on the corner of the bed. 

It was a faded baby blue, the fleece was worn thin, but it was still soft. The shapeless fabric fell past my ankles and the sleeves draped over my hands. Lucas’s sisters must be Amazons, I thought, as I turned out the light and tucked myself under a downy, heather-gray comforter. Streetlights shined through the white lace curtains, illuminating the nightstand. On it sat a box of tissues, a book of poetry for children, and three of those damn Serene Sentiments figurines. 

“What are you staring at?” I asked as I turned them around to face the wall. 

Just as I relaxed and felt myself drifting off, there was a knock on the door.

“Are you decent?” asked Lucas.

“No, but I’m fully clothed, if that’s what you mean.”

“Great!” 

Lucas switched the light on and came stumbling in with a rolled-up sleeping bag under his arm.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I can’t keep an eye on you from a separate room, can I? So, it looks like we’re having a little slumber party.”

“Lucas, I don’t need-”

“Hey! That’s a good idea! My sisters never let me hang out at their slumber parties. Girls only! I’m gonna get some snacks and supplies. This is gonna be so much fun! I’ll be right back!”

I laid down and sighed, once again wondering what I was doing here. This had to be one of the worst decisions I had ever made. I looked at the window and thought I could probably shimmy out. But then I saw the Serene Sentiments staring right at me, judging me. That was odd; I could have sworn I had turned them around.