The apartment was small but bright, with a large bay window letting in the afternoon sun.
“Well, that’s it,” Bill said, slightly breathless. “Thanks for helping me, Em.”
Emma gave a stiff nod, his arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the doorway. “Yeah, sure. No problem.”
Before Bill could say more, the door creaked open again and in stepped James Atkinson tall, clean-cut, with that frustratingly easy smile that always seemed a little too knowing. He had returned to spite Emma
“Just checking in,” James said, flashing that damned smile. “Hope everything’s settling in okay, Bill.”
Emma’s jaw tightened. “You don’t usually do welcome rounds for new tenants, huh?”
James glanced at Emma, then back at Bill. “Sometimes I do. Just want to make sure he’s comfortable.”
“I’m fine
