Chapter Two
Malcolm and Edrisa arrive at his place relatively quickly. Edrisa is one of few people in the city to actually own a car and insisted they use it to not pay for a cab. Malcolm didn't mention that there was a family car if he really wanted to avoid a city cab, but he let her enjoy the ride.
When they arrived Edrisa was hesitant every step. Malcolm unlocked his front door and they headed upstairs. As soon as he unlocked the door to his floor, Edrisa broke from behind him to greet Sunshine.
"Who's this little cutie?" she exclaimed rushing forward towards the cage. Malcolm laughed at her lightened mood.
"That would be Sunshine," he responded as Edrisa laid her finger against the bars. Sunshine nuzzled her head through the wires.
"She's so precious," Edrisa whispered as Sunshine chirped happily.
"I can let her out if you want," Malcolm says, suddenly much closer than before.
Edrisa jumps a bit when she sees that he's only a few steps behind her.
"That's fine. I don't mind birds. Snakes, yes. Birds, no," she says with an awkward chuckle.
Malcolm reaches around her to unlatch the cage door and Sunshine is quick to fly out and soar around the living room. Edrisa and Malcolm watch her for a while before Edrisa's stomach lets out another loud growl.
"I'll order that takeout. Is Chinese okay?" Malcolm asks, reaching for his mobile. Edrisa looks at him awe-struck.
"It's like you can read my mind, " Edrisa exclaims smiling. She stares at him for an uncomfortable amount of time and catches herself. She lets out an awkward chuckle, tucks her hair behind her ear and casts her gaze down.
"While it's getting ready, feel free to use the shower. I have extra towels inside on the top shelf by the sink," Malcolm says gesturing toward the bathroom. Edrisa jumps at the opportunity to remove herself from the awkward atmosphere.
"Yes! A shower, absolutely. I definitely need one of those. I mean-I, yes. Thank you," Edrisa stumbles as she briskly heads towards the bathroom door. She all but accidentally slams the door when she finally makes it to the other room.
"Sorry," she squeaks as the resounding thud echoes through the loft. She doesn't wait to hear a response before she's opening her bag she still had from the car and removing her things.
She takes out her shampoo, conditioner and body wash. She can see the towels Malcolm was talking about and has to stretch to her tiptoes to reach them. When she finally latches onto a washcloth and towel, she takes a moment to just feel the fluffy fabric. These were definitely top-notch.
"Even his freaking towels are perfect," she mumbles while hastily undressing. She steps into the glass container and nearly moans as hot water sprays down on her. A shower was definitely needed and nice. She had been in the morgue for almost five days, not that anyone needed to know that.
After thoroughly scrubbing, rinsing and even shaving, she was finished. Not wanting to cause too much laundry she dried her hair to the best of her abilities and wrapped the towel around her torso.
"Oh no! No, no, no! This can't be happening!" she whispered harshly as she dug around her bag.
Edrisa had been recycling the same three outfits and using her extensive scrub collection to make it through her current predicament. The flood happened above her bedroom, taking out most of her ceiling which fell onto her desks and into her closet.
Finding one clean sports bra and a pair of underwear she sighs and pulls those on.
"Edrisa? Is everything okay?" Malcolm asks, gently tapping at the door. She feels her cheeks flush with embarrassment. It was going to be a long couple of days and already she was off to a horrible start. What if she became too much? What if Malcolm hated her by the end of this? What then?
"Edrisa?" Malcolm asks, a bit more worried.
"Yea, sorry! I just- I ran into a bit of a snag," Edrisa says pulling the towel around her snuggly. Flirting was one thing, but walking half-naked around Malcolm Bright's loft was a whole other level of "creepy flirty stalker" that she was not ready for.
"What happ-" Malcolm stops dead at the sight of a freshly showered and barely clothed Edrisa.
Her hair hadn't been brushed yet and hung in curls around her face, brushing her bare collarbone. The towel clung to every curve of her body, outlining her hour-glass figure that was always hidden under her oversized jackets and lab coats. And her eyes shined bright, not hidden behind thick black frames that normally adorned her face. Up close Edrisa had little freckles adorning her nose. She was a perfect mixture of cute and sexy in one.
"I-um, Malcolm?" Edrisa asks, shifting on her feet, very self conscious at Malcolms analytical gaze. She watched him do the same thing at crime scenes, studying every part and memorizing every feature. Being on the receiving end sent a sharp shiver through her.
"Yea? Yes, sorry," Malcolm says, locking his eyes to hers. His gaze never wavering. Edrisa kinda wishes it would again, only because the weight of his eyes make her tongue heavy in her mouth. God, I need to get over this ridiculous crush she thinks.
"It seems that I ran out of clothes in my non-laundry stay at the precinct. I can go to the laundry mat in the morning but right now I'm.." she lets the sentence trail as there doesn't seem to be a good ending.
"Right! Well, I-I think I have some clothes that could work for now," Malcolm says swiftly heading to the bedroom adjacent from the bathroom. Edrisa had totally been avoiding looking in the vicinity of that area.
Malcolm is quick to return after rifling through a few drawers. He seems pleased to have found what he was looking for because he hands a hoodie and pair of sweatpants out to Edrisa. She takes them with a bright blush marking her cheeks.
"Thank you Malcolm," she whispers, meeting his eyes for a fleeting moment to show her sincere gratitude.
"You're welcome Edrisa," he responds honestly. He lets one hand briefly touch her shoulder to comfort her before he goes to the kitchen where takeout bags are on the counter. Edrisa quietly pulls the bathroom door shut to change into the clothes she was loaned.
The "Harvard" Hoodie was a bit big, but she loved it all the same. The sweatpants were near perfect, they had a drawstring that she used to tighten the waist and only had to roll the legs up once around her ankles.
After she's brushed her hair, she exits the bathroom feeling much more confident now fully dressed.
"Ah, they do fit," Malcolm says smiling from where he's pouring tea at the counter.
"Yes, thank you again! I'm sorry, I didn't even think about checking before leaving. I was going to do laundry tomorrow morning but I forgot after we talked and I don't want to be a bad house guest. I mean, you're being so nice to me and I'm already being a nuisance. I just don't want to be a burden because then that leads to tension and resentment and that leads to anger and tension-And you're my friend and I value our friendship and I don't want to overextend my welcome or cross any boundaries. I already know I make people uncomfortable and I don't want to seem-I'm just sorry," she finishes lamely. Malcolm quirks his lips up at her and pushes a hot mug of tea towards her.
"I promise, it's okay. It's just clothes," Malcolm says smiling at her. Edrisa lets out a relieved smile, not meeting his eyes. She takes attentive sips and sighs in contempt.
"Edrisa?" Malcolm asks. She looks at him with a "hmm."
"You are my friend, so you're always welcome in my home. You're not a burden and you do not make me feel uncomfortable," Malcolm emphasizes. Edrisa nods along with a hesitant smile.
"Just promise you'll tell me if I do? Or if I do something?" Edrisa asks seriously. Malcolm takes a moment to show he's thinking her request over.
"I will if you will," Malcolm promises.
Edrisa chuckles.
"What would you do to make me feel uncomfortable?" she asks sincerely.
Malcolm gestures towards his bedroom.
"You haven't spent the night with me. I've been told my night terrors are pretty epic," Malcolm says, using sarcasm to cover his honest insecurity.
He hadn't had anyone stay with him since he nearly attacked Eve. And then waking up to armed and suited coworkers at work had hurt more than he let on.
Malcolm was dangerous. Sure he used his restraints and guards, but what if he actually hurt someone? Especially someone he cared about?
"Night terrors or not, I would love to spend the night with you," Edrisa says, "totally platonically."
Malcolm laughs at her ability to lighten the mood. He passes out the takeout container and Edrisa talks him into watching some show on Netflix. It has zombies, blood, guts and weapons. Malcolm enjoys every moment of it. Him and Edrisa talk about each weapon and compare it to Malcolms collection, which Edrisa admires. She listens to him talk about each piece and its history. It gets later quickly, nearing the wee hours of the morning before either realizes it.
Maybe having a roommate wasn't such a bad idea after all.