Conflicted

Unit 1220

Bing.

Bing.

Bing.

Each time the elevator rises to another floor, the digital screen above the metal doors chimes and displays the number. We eventually get to the 12th floor and the doors slide open. Peyton steps off the elevator and I follow. Our feet sink into a luxurious and thick carpet. This is yet another lobby-type space, smaller and less extravagant than the main one downstairs. Three doors, one to the left, one on the right and one straightahead. Having been here already a few times for the viewing and to pick up the keys, I know the door straight ahead is the largest unit of the three and is also mine. I am suddenly very aware of how sweaty my palms are and how fast my heart is beating. Peyton turns to me, obviously unsure which direction to go, and I gesture towards my door with my chin. I shuffle through my bag to find my key and slide it into the deadbolt. I'm nervous. Super nervous, and I can't really put my finger on why, exactly. The door glides open smoothly to reveal the small entryway and a set of frosted French doors. Once inside, I steal a quick glance at Peyton. Her big blue eyes are wide, she seems impressed... but this is just the mudroom.

"I have a closet here, for your jacket and shoes," I open the double doors to my right to reveal a closet that is nearly the entire width of the entryway.

Peyton nods, slides off her flats and hands me her jacket that was folded over her arm.

"The rest of the apartment is through those doors, I'll show you around a second," I hope I'm not being too awkward, I want to take a few seconds longer to remove my own boots and jacket, I'm internally freaking out right now, and I need to get my s**t together.

Peyton walks through the French doors and I can practically hear her reaction despite the complete lack of sound or words.

I'm standing by the closet feeling nervous and awkward as if this is my first time I bring a girl home. Technically, this is the first time I ever bring a girl here, but this isn't like that, I remind myself. She's got a boyfriend, and we literally just met in a very peculiar way.

I'm reasoning with myself as I put everything away and meet her inside my living room. Besides a small chair and a massive area rug taking up ninety percent of the floor, the room is empty.

"I have furniture ordered... It's supposed to be delivered on Wednesday when I move in," I explain sheepishly.

"Wow, even without the furniture, this place is amazing and really big. Honestly, the whole building is huge and luxurious," the awe in her voice is clear and I can't help but feel relieved that she seems impressed. I realize then how much her approval means to me despite how little we know one another.

"Thanks, this is the first space I've ever called my own. Want the full tour?" I ask.

"Yes, please," she smiles at me. Warmth spreads through my body. My God, that smile could melt even the coldest of hearts.

"Right this way, Madame." I make some cheesy twirling gesture with my hand towards the rest of the condo. She chuckles softly and follows me through to the open concept dining and kitchen area, then next to it, the main hallway. The first door is a guest bedroom, across from it a powder room. Then come the office and laundry closet, the small empty storage area, a full bathroom and another bedroom then finally at the very back of the unit, and my favourite place of all, my master bedroom. It takes up about half of the entire apartment, but it's completely f*****g worth it. When we walk in, Peyton stands in the main space, it's basically another living room, big enough to fit an entire couch and TV into. The wall that faces the door we entered is entirely made of glass. Every single portion of that wall in the master suite is made up entirely of windows, floor to ceiling. The sight is magnificent. To the right are two doors, my bedroom itself and the adjoining master bath. To the left is two sets of French doors for two very big walk in closets.

"This is sort of what sold me on the place," I laugh awkwardly.

Peyton doesn't answer, just gawks at the stunning sight that is the entire city visible from twelve stories up. She is speechless for a moment as she walks towards the glass and stares out at the city below us. I let her soak it all in.

"Peyton, let me show you the bathroom," I interrupt her from her reverie and she shakes her head a little, stunned. I show her the master bath. It's sleek, monochromatic and modern. The shower itself is just half of the room separated by a partial glass wall, the shower head is on the ceiling. It creates a magnificent rainfall effect and across from it is the giant soaker tub. In the dry portion of the bathroom on our side of the glass separation is a double sink vanity, a linen closet and a sliding pocket door that leads to a toilet. Peyton seems overwhelmed by the condo and I start to worry this might be too much on her after the day she's had. I show her how to use the control pad for the shower and set it to a reasonable warmth before I step out to give her some privacy.

"I'll wait for you in the living area. Come find me when you're finished up," I say as I start to close the door behind me.

"I will, but I may get lost," she jokes, the laughter not quite meeting her eyes.

I shut the door and make my way back towards the front of my new place. I really hope this hasn't scared her off.