five

The room was illuminated by the distant light in the kitchen area. Night time crickets sounded outside. Pru had finally gotten back to the apartment ten minutes ago and she was exhausted. All week the girl had no luck. Falling back onto the couch in defeat. Finding a job was difficult for her. Being pregnant it seemed to be a red flag to business places. Only catching a few interviews throughout the week, they all seemed to end on an awkward note. She knew that it was best to give the heads up that she was carrying a child so she could make sure she was able to get maternity leave. But right when the interviewers found out, they would clam up and lie telling her that they would be in touch. She just wanted something to get her on her feet. The girl felt useless not being able to work during the day. And she felt bad for crashing in Jay's living room.

The sound of the front door opening pulled Pru's attention towards the direction of the sound. Stepping into the apartment and setting his keys down on the counter. Jay then made his way towards the opening of the living room as he leaned against the wall, looking at the girl. He looked exhausted as he pushed himself off the wall and made his way towards the couch. His eyes had landed on the basketball game that was on the tv. Standing behind the couch with his eyes glued on the game, making Pru internally laugh.

"How was work today?" Pru spoke up as Jay's eyes that were on the tv shifted to focus on the blonde girl.

"The case we've been working on all week was tiring. We had barely any evidence for awhile, but we finally closed it." Jay told her as he ran his hand over his tired face.

"Anyway... How was your job searching this week?" Jay questioned as Pru sighed.

"It didn't go quite well. The one I was so close to getting, choked up when I brought up the need for maternity leave in a few months." Pru replied as she began to pick at the couch pillow beside her.

"Honestly, I'm just trying to find something. I need to keep myself busy and start making some money. I feel bad for crashing here longer than I originally intended. You probably want privacy in your own apartment, so I'm sorry." Pru apologized as Jay frowned.

"Hey, you don't have to apologize. I don't mind at all." Jay told her as he looked around the main part of the apartment then he walked around the couch to sit down on the arm of the couch.

"You only appreciate my presence because I cleaned up the place." Pru pointed out which made Jay chuckle as he shook his head.

"That's not the only reason. You're not a bad person to talk to either." Jay said and Pru smiled at the man. He wasn't a bad person to talk to either. Things kind of just seemed to flow when they talked. It was something the girl wasn't used to. It was nice.

"Have you tried to talk to Voight? Maybe he can help find a job for you. He has a lot of contacts around the city." Jay brought up. The girl shrugged at his idea.

"I don't want to bother him with something as simple as that." Pru trailed off as she turned her attention to the screen in front of them. She just hated the idea of asking others for help. One of the same reasons why she felt bad for staying with Jay. She felt like she was bugging him with her presence.

"He specifically told you to come to him if you ever needed anything." Jay said as Pru continued to look at the tv. That still didn't make her feel any better.

"Wait. What about a job at the district? Weren't you in the academy? What happened to that?" Jay wondered as Pru frowned thinking about it.

"Life happened. And it's too late for that now." Pru told him.

"I wouldn't be too quick to eliminate that option. It's never too late for things like that." Jay said.

"So, what's for dinner? Do you want me to make something?" Pru jumped to change the subject. Truthfully though, her mind was kind of thinking about food. She was starving. The last thing she had was a soft pretzel from a gas station. She had been running around almost all day looking for any places that were hiring. And now her stomach screamed at her to eat something. After all, she was eating for two. Jay caught on that she didn't want to talk about it anymore and couldn't help but chuckle at the girl getting excited talking about food.

"We can order some Chinese food again?" Jay suggested which made Pru laugh at the idea.

"Is that going to be our tradition? Chinese food every Friday night for dinner?" Pru brought the recurrence to the man's attention.

"I mean, I guess. It'll just be our little thing now." Jay said with a smile on his lips.

"Okay, I can call it in. But you should probably take a shower. You stink." Pru teased as she scrunched her nose up. Jay held his hand to his chest in a hurt way with his mouth open.

"I think you would love a hug." Jay commented as he got up from the arm of the couch to advance towards the girl. She was quick on her feet as she screeched out in fear. Rushing away from the man. But her running from him was cut short when he effortlessly grabbed her from behind.

"Eewww. Now I'm going to smell." Pru remarked as they both laughed. His chest vibrating against her back with every chuckle that escaped.

"I don't stink."

"Yeah, you do." Pru stated as she escaped from his grip, pushing him away. He tried to contain his laughter but when he looked at her face of disgust he lost it. She shook her head unamused at him. When he quieted down, Pru stood there with her arms crossed, glaring at the man.

"Do you want your usual?" Pru asked as she walked away from him.

"Yeah." Jay responded as he backed away.

"I'm going to go shower now." Jay announced.

"Good." She mumbled trying not to let him hear her. But once he heard her comment he couldn't help but smile. Then he headed off into the bathroom.

+

"Jeez. He seems to take longer in the bathroom than I do." Pru muttered as she walked towards the bathroom door. Knocking on it, she heard a mumbled,

"Come in."

The girl cracked open the door and instantly was met with a glorious site. Jay had a towel wrapped around his waist while he was using a cotton swab to clean his ear. Trying to pry her eyes away from his chest, she met his stare and cleared her throat.

"Umm, the food should be here any minute. Where did you put your wallet?" Pru wondered as he turned to the basket on the back of the toilet and picked out his wallet, handing the brown leather item over to her.

"Thanks." Pru responded before she quickly shut the door. Taking a deep breath to get herself together, trying to contain her thoughts. Knocking sounded on the front door, making the girl jump slightly before she headed to the door. Looking out the peephole to double-check it was the food delivery person before opening up the door in relief at the thought of the food finally arriving.

Edited: 5/11/2021