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“Love is thicker than blood,” I said.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
It was then, I knew I would never be alone. I had Jody and she had me. I didn’t need or want a man to complete me. It wasn’t just about a boyfriend or a future husband. It was also about my father. It was the reason I’d taken this job. I hoped to somehow pay Daddy Dearest back so I wouldn’t owe him a thing.
After our call, I felt somewhat better. I ended up falling asleep on the couch without dinner. I felt sick myself but only emotionally. A meal just wasn’t in the cards. In the morning, I left with a note saying I was going to work. I added the words Thank you, just in case. I planned to spend lunch looking for a hotel room of my own.
As required by the hospital, I was changing out of issued scrubs when Ms. Allen approached me.
“I heard you needed a place to stay.”
I’d been working with her every day and had established a good rapport. “Yes.”
“My son is in the service. You can use his room if you’d like.”
As much as I wanted to, I didn’t want to impose. “I couldn’t take your son’s room.”
“He wouldn’t mind. And to be honest, it’s a little lonely without him.”
Inwardly, I was hopping on my toes and clapping. Outwardly, I tried not to sound too excited. “We should talk about rent. I can only afford so much.”
“It’s a room in my house, so it’s not as much privacy as your own place. Plus, I would ask for you not to have overnight guests.”
“No problems there,” I said.
The rent she quoted was less than half of what I had planned to pay at the original place. I agreed on the amount and asked, “When can I move in?”
“You can move in tonight if you’d like. You could come by when our shift is over.”
I thought about Liam. “That would be great, but I would have to take care of something right after.”
Turned out, she had a small two-bedroom brownstone. One bedroom was at the front of the house, her son’s room was at the back. Therefore, every time I came upstairs, I would walk past her bedroom door. The place was older but well maintained. The floorboards squeaked. That didn’t bother me other than hoping if I worked late, I wouldn’t wake her when I came in. It was a solution to a problem that saved me money.
I had all my things and could’ve just texted Liam the good news. Yet, I found myself standing outside the hotel room door. I shouldn’t have been nervous. He’d made his feelings clear. When I opened the door, I planted a smile on my face and hoped I wouldn’t leave in tears.
Eleven
Liam
Highlights of last night’s game were on the screen when Natalie walked in.
“There’s food on the table if you’re hungry,” I said, and turned away. Despite having put our connection on ice, I was still crazy attracted to her.
When she didn’t answer, I turned in the direction of the door as she stopped short of joining me on the sofa.
“Thanks, but I’ve eaten. I do have news.”
That sounded ominous and I muted the TV. “What’s up?”
“I’ve got a roommate.”
“That is good news,” I said, feeling somewhat disappointed.
“Yeah.” Her smile wasn’t a bright as her words. “In fact, I’m moving in tonight. I just didn’t want to text you. It felt wrong.”
“Is it nearby?” I said, managing to sound casual.
“Actually, it’s not. It’s in the opposite direction of the hospital. So I can’t stay long. I don’t want to show up late.”
Awkwardness set in as neither of us knew what else to say. I stood, walked over and gave her a hug. Everything I couldn’t admit was all wrapped up in it. “I’m happy for you,” I whispered in her ear before pulling back.
“Thanks. I think it might work out better than my original rooming situation,” she said, sounding relieved.
“Even better.” I hadn’t let her go and she hadn’t tried to leave.
“Thanks for everything.” Then she lifted on her toes. It wasn’t supposed to happen as she looked as surprised as I felt. Instead of a platonic kiss on the cheek, our lips mashed together in fire. I might have known better but when she gasped, I would have taken things deeper. Only she shrugged out of my hold before I could.
Her cheeks were in flames and the scorch marks of our kiss still burned my lips. I watched as she fled, leaving me alone with the embers of my thoughts. If there had been any chance for us, I would have chased after her. As it stood, it was for the best, because I’d clearly lost all reason. I was ready to step back everything I said for at least one night.
