Max babbled something, patted my head, then lay down on the floor.
“Oh! Should you…? Okay, I guess that’s fine.”
“Thank you so much for all your help,” Stacia said when she returned to the living room. “I checked the guest room, and there’s a space big enough for someone’s special gift.” She pointed to Max, who appeared to be settling in for a nap on Gage’s rug. “I texted the doorman that he could bring it up. Gage is earning hisbest uncletitle by letting us store it here.”
“That sounds like him.”
“Thatishim. Listen, can I offer you something? Gage usually has decent booze and excellent chocolate, not that I can have either right now. I’ll just watch you and drool.”
“Tempting as that sounds, no, thank you. I need to get back to my apartment. I’m working this weekend.”
“That explains why he’s out with the guys and not taking you out on a Friday night.”
I widened my eyes. “We haven’t actually… Has he said we’re dating?”
She shook her head. “Will said he thinks Gage is interested. Sorry if I’m jumping the gun or totally off-base.”
“It’s fine. We’re… It’s complicated.”
“Isn’t it always?” She smiled and lowered herself to the sofa.
“I suppose so.” I turned to leave, then hesitated. “Can I ask you a question about Gage?
“Depends on what you’re asking. I’m sure there’s plenty about his bachelor life I don’t know, and some things I wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing in his stead.”
“Understood. This is about the way he takes care of people.”
“You mean like his last girlfriend?”
“I don’t know about that.” I let out a slow breath. “I mean, like his mom.”
“Oh! He discussed that with you?” She sounded shocked.
I nodded. “And obviously, he takes care of everyone in the building and people in the neighborhood, and…I just wonder if he ever lets anyone take care of him.”
“Wow, you’ve really got his number. Honestly, Kat, he’s terrible at letting others turn the tables. My opinion, which absolutely no one asked to hear—except you, I guess—is that he needs to learn to receive and not just give before he can find happiness.”
I liked her a lot, and not only because she had verbalized what I’d been thinking. Sure, I’d pushed a button about the issue in order to push him away, but when—if—we started dating again, I needed him to know he could lean on me, too. I had a sinking feeling that to make him trust me, I’d have to tell him the truth. Now the only question remaining was, how the hell was I going to do that?
CHAPTER 17
GAGE
Iwoke up at one in the afternoon, feeling like holy hell. Thanks to Rex keeping his promise, at least I was alone and in my own bed. I shuffled to the kitchen, vaguely remembering that Stacia had texted me about stopping by the apartment last night. I squinted to read her messages, which made my head hurt worse.
Don’t be surprised by the huge box in your spare room. It’s Max’s gym, and it’s very cool!
For now, I’d take her word for it. If I lived until tomorrow, I’d walk all the way to the guest room and take a look.
Check your fridge.
I did not feel up to looking in the cold box with food in it. My stomach churned just thinking about it.
Trust me, even if you don’t feel up to seeing food. xo
I couldn’t remember my sister-in-law ever steering me wrong, so I followed her instructions. There was a reusable bottle on the top shelf. It wasn’t one of mine. It was filled with something green and appeared to be sitting on top of a small envelope. I didn’t mind the occasional kale smoothie, but today was not the day for it. What the hell was Stacia thinking? Bile rose up my esophagus, and I barely made it to the sink in time to vomit up more of last night’s whisky. I rinsed my mouth, then did a quick clean on the sink, and shuffled back to the fridge. Maybe the envelope held a letter that would reveal all to me.
Inside the envelope was a card with a picture of a cat in a Santa hat. Cute, but definitely not Stacia’s style. In fact, I was pretty sure Florence had once left me a note about a delivery she’d signed for on a card just like this. I unfolded it.
