“Great. I look forward to it. We can catch up.” He looked her up and then asked, “Do you need a ride?”
She shook her head. “I’m not far from where I’m going. Thanks, though.”
“Alright, I’ll see you around.”
She waved him off, then began her trek to Reese’s home.
The bungalow was cute, but it looked like it was in desperate need of some TLC.
The once-white prominent columns of the porch were peeling badly, making them look drab. There were a few large cracks in the concrete walkway leading up to the home. She caught movement out of one of the windows that was in desperate need of cleaning. The dirt on it made it look like it was tinted brown.
It didn’t look anything like what she would have expected such a well-put-together person like Reese to own.
The door opened just as her boot hit the first step. She smiled widely, excited to see the woman who had surprised her by asking for help. She was looking forward to spending more time with her.
Yet that feeling was replaced with concern when she spied Reese’s face.
“Uh, hi, Matty,” Reese greeted her, worry lines she hadn’t seen before etched deep on her face.
“Hey, Reese. I wasn’t sure what I would need, so I brought my toolbox just in case.” She held it up, then felt a little lame because it wasn’t like Reese couldn’t see it. She walked the rest of the way onto the porch, stopping just a couple of feet from her.
“Yeah, about that. Maybe we shouldn’t do this.”
“I don’t understand. Did the shower start working?”
Reese opened her mouth to reply, glancing over her shoulder at the door, but stopped. It was then she seemed to gather herself as her shoulders pushed back and a reassuringsmile spread across her face. “I just have so much going on. I’m sorry I didn’t text you before you got here. Do you want me to drive you home?”
Matty frowned. This was a complete shift. She studied Reese’s face a little closer. The worry was still there, just under the surface. There was a shininess to her hair that alluded to it not being washed in a couple of days. Her eyes dragged lower. There was a smudge of dirt on the top of her foot that wasn’t covered by her pale pink house shoe. If the shower was working, she hadn’t been in it since calling yesterday evening. Add the nervous shifting from side to side and the crossing of her arms, and Matty was certain something was off. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, everything is perfectly fine. I just don’t have time today,” said Reese defensively.
“So you have access to a shower for work tomorrow?”
Reese started to speak but faltered. Matty took the opportunity.
“I’d like to help if I can.”
That seemed to put a little wedge in Reese’s resolve. Frown lines formed around her mouth, and Matty noticed her look back at the house. That worried her. “Is there someone in there you’re worried about? Maybe a partner that doesn’t want me in there?”
Reese’s eyes widened. Her ponytail swayed as she shook her head. “No, nothing like that. I just, fuck, I felt so much more confident last night.”
“I don’t understand. Look, whatever it is, I’d like to help.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
Eyes softening, Reese’s rigid posture relaxed. “I’ve been such an ass to you.”
With a half grin, Matty tilted her head. “I don’t mind having to work for friendship. Plus, I kinda like being bossed around by a woman.” She added a wink to the statement, hoping to ease some of the tension.
It worked. Reese’s face brightened as she let out a short laugh. “Are you always a flirt?”
“Not if men are involved.”
That earned her a snort. The cutest little snort she’d ever heard and hoped to hear again.
Reese’s resolve completely crumbled. She sighed. “I guess I should be honest with you.”
