Invite her in

I unlocked the door and opened it.

Jenna looked at me, then at the room behind me.

For a moment, she didn’t move. Then the corner of her mouth lifted into a small smile. She shifted her bag higher on her shoulder and gave me a quick, almost playful look.

I stepped aside.

“Come in.”

Her smile grew.

“Okay.”

She walked past me, brushing lightly against my arm as she entered. Once inside, she turned back toward me, her expression relaxed and curious.

I closed the door behind her.

There was no hesitation this time. No second-guessing, no feeling that I needed to explain myself.

I was comfortable with the situation, and I wasn’t hiding that.

Jenna seemed to notice.

She gave me another small smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“So…” she said, looking around the room. “This is your place.”