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His phone lights up as we’re pulling into the driveway at his house.
Glancing at the screen, he groans. “I was hoping to have most the day off, but looks like this morning’s all I’ll get. You gonna be okay here if I head out? I got a few site visits I gotta do with a framing sub. Then drinks with one of my other subs out in South Port. Probably won’t be home until late.”
Ignoring the way my heart sinks, I nod. “I think we’ll manage just fine. I was going to go see Katie anyway and give Riley and Lu a little break. And because I’m the cool aunt, I always keep her up later than I should. I’ll probably be home late too.” Shifting in my seat, my calves brush. They’re prickly. “Oh, shoot. I completely forgot to get shaving cream.”
Abel frowns. “Want to run back to the Maritime Market?”
“It’s fine. I can get some later.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“All right. Y’all be good. And holler if you need me.”
“I’ve lived alone for close to a decade now. I think I’ll be just fine.”
Abel’s eyes linger on my face for a beat too long before he climbs out of the cart. He almost looks... confused. About what?
We let the girls have a quick bathroom break on our way in, and then Abel heads upstairs to shower. My pulse kicks up a notch when I’m hit by the idea of asking to join him.
Would he look at me like I had two heads?Or would he say yes?
seventeen
. . .
Jen
Tomorrow Problems
I feellike I’ve been turned on for days now. Weeks. Half my lifetime. I’m dying for some relief.
But I can’t bring myself to climb the stairs and say the wordslet’s shower together. My sweat turns cold just thinking about Abel’s gentle but firm rejection. And I can just imagine the look in his eyes.What the hell is wrong with you, Jenny?
So I sit down with my laptop at the kitchen counter and answer some emails instead. Then I grab Katie and we go to the pool at The Ocean Club, where Tuck and Abel are members. Luckily the pool is heated; the water hasn’t had a chance to warm up on its own as the air temperature’s only recently been rising. We have a blast splashing around, playing Marco Polo, and having lunch on the patio.
We FaceTime with my brother and Maren. They’re still at the hospital waiting on their discharge paperwork. And I’m still nervous as hell about sharing the secret I’ve kept from them.
But it’s too late to go back now. So I fake a smile, wish mybrother and his wife luck, and pray like hell it all works out in the end.
I was planning on taking Katie out to eat for dinner. But on the ride home later that evening, she says she’s tired and that she’s ready to go home. I drop her back off with Lu and Riley, and then I head home to Abel’s place.
Dusk settles over the trees. The marsh is spectacular this time of day, the water reflecting the fiery sunset.
The view from the bathtub is going to be insane.
I rummage around inside the fridge and find some leftover cheese and crackers. I eat a quick dinner at the island. Then I pour myself a big glass of perfectly chilled roséand head for the stairs.
But the dogs don’t follow me. Instead, they wait by the front door. I frown. “But y’all were just out.”
I open the door and wait for them to scurry to the grass, but they stay put. Ears perked, like they’re listening for something.
Someone.
I scoff. “Y’all know Abel doesn’t bring home treats and toys every night, right?”
Cher cuts me a nasty look before turning around to lick her bottom.Here’s what I think of that idea.
