And generous isn’t the first word that comes to mind when I think about Cross and those cold, probing hazel eyes.

“More than likely, he doesn’t want her family to sue. She did it in their house; they could claim she fell, the pool was unsafe, or whatever. Those people always solve issues with money. You really like that skirt, huh?”

Distracted, I look down at myself. I just grabbed the first clothes I saw, the skirt from yesterday and one of my dozens of cream blouses.

“Oh, sorry, I can change.”

“Don’t sweat it, wear it whenever you’d like. It suits you. And in case you hadn’t noticed, I am a bit of a clothes addict.”

She tilts her head to her side of the room, where next to the generous built-in wardrobe, she’s placed a portable one, filled to the brim.

I hadn’t noticed, actually. I just figured the extra space was to fit her cosplaying stuff. She does dress pretty conservatively, from what I’ve seen so far—outside of her fandom outfits. But she always looks very nice.

“Thank you. I like it. Maybe you should take me shopping. After I find a job, that is.”

I remember Keller telling me his sister is looking for a babysitter, but the idea of approaching him about that after last night is preposterous. I’m going to have to start job hunting as planned, after I get my schedule tomorrow.

“I’ll never say no to a shopping trip.” She grins a little before clearing her throat. “So, about yesterday. Are you really going to go to the cops?”

I pause, unsure. Something about that officer really rubbed me the wrong way. He was trying to get dirt on the houses, that much was obvious.

“I don’t know. I don’t want to, but do I have any choice? Won’t I get in trouble if I don’t?”

“Please, they didn’t even get your name.” She rolls her eyes. “You didn’t do anything, and the girl’s said she jumped of her own volition, so the police aren’t even involved any longer.”

I smile, relieved at least one of my worries is baseless. “Good. So, where are we eating?”

“The cafe under the library has lovely, affordable croissants, pastries, that sort of thing, but I feel like something a little heftier is probably the right call. Pancakes?”

“Sure, but didn’t the bus leave twenty minutes ago? I don’t have it in me to walk into town.”

“Oh, I have a car.”

Damn, she’s a useful roommate.

“Well, sort of. I have a criminally ugly vehicle on wheels big enough to carry my cosplay, in any case.”

“Any car is better than what I have, which is a bus pass.”

“You say that now. Wait until you meet Bertha.”