Page 3 of Don't Think

When I finally reach her, I immediately understand why her gasp was so loud.

It has the charming farmhouse vibe we expected from the outside, but inside? It looks like it’s been completely remodeled.

The light-stained hardwood floors practically sparkle, giving the room a much warmer glow from the sunlight spilling through a wide bay window. A navy-blue couch, the exact shade as mine back home, sits in the center of the room, facing a massive flat-screen TV. Below it, a low wooden shelf holds a collection of vinyl records, each one perfectly lined up, not a speck of dust in sight.

“Wow,” she breathes out. “This place is ours for a whole month?” Her eyes are wide as she slowly spins, taking it all in.

She may not be a mom like Nora and me, but she’s helped me practically raise my girls for the last two years while Trevor struggled to get his act together. I know he’s trying, but sometimes “trying” doesn’t cut it when there are little lives counting on you. Through the sleepless nights. The emergency crayon-attack cleanups. Even bringing Charlotte to her playdates when I get slammed with last-minute overtime, she’s been the one by my side the entire time.

So yeah, she definitely deserves this just as much as either of us.

I throw my arm around her shoulder and rest my head against hers. “Damn right, it is,” I say, grinning. “And to think we almost had to cancel.”

She pulls her head away and shoots me a death glare. “Yeah, you and your damn sinus infection almost ruined everything.” Her eyes narrow. “And it would’ve been all your fault.”

“Whoa, whoa—” I start to defend myself, but I don’t get far.

“Alright,” Nora cuts in, completely unaware she’s interrupting. She strolls into the room, leans against the arm of the couch, and glances at her phone. “It’s already six. If we don’t get groceries now, we’re gonna end up eating peanut butter out of the jar for dinner.”

I nod. “Yeah. There’s no way we’ll want to shop after the concert tomorrow night.”

Driving in Boston today was exactly the nightmare I expected, and I have the handprint on my steering wheel to prove it. Trying to navigate that mess after a concert on a Saturday night? No, thank you.

And yet all I want is a tall glass of wine and maybe twenty uninterrupted minutes in the giant, jetted tub upstairs. The one that’s been calling my name since the moment we decided to even go on vacation.

The reminder of there even being a gigantic bathtub here signals a light bulb glowing in my brain.

I slowly start backing away until my heel catches the bottom step. Trying not to make a sound, I tiptoe up the stairs, hoping to slip away before—

“Where do you think you’re going?” Ana’s voice calls from behind me.

Busted.

I wince, turning around to look at her, I plaster on my best innocent face. She has one eyebrow raised, her arms crossed at her chest while she looks at me skeptically.

“Oh, I just thought I’d check out the bedrooms,” I say, tossing a thumb over my shoulder and doing my best to hide the grin trying to break through.

That bedroom’s mine, whether they know it or not.

It’s honestly one of the things I’ve been most excited about. A full bath, a walk-in closet, and a bed big enough for me to sprawl out? Yes. Please.

But just as I lift my foot to take another step, I hear the rush of footsteps behind me.

I bolt.

My flip-flops slap against each step, and our laughter bounces off the walls. When I finally reach the top, I lunge for the nearest doorknob, hoping it’s the right one, and swing it open.

When I stumble inside, my feet immediately sink into a plush, cream-colored carpet, and IknowI picked the right door.

Mental high five.

The first thing I notice is the gray king-size bed with a velvet headboard. Theexactone I’ve always wanted. Off to the side, a large window overlooks the backyard, giving the perfect view of the inground pool and a gorgeous flower garden beside it.

It’s like a dream.

I carefully push open one of the doors inside and find the full bathroom I’ve been drooling over for the last few weeks.

There it is.Thebathtub.