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“I’m tired,” she announced, as we ate the last bites of the apple sour cream cake Linley had baked.
It wasn’t that late, in my opinion, but she did look exhausted.
“It was so nice to meet you,” I said again.
“Thanks for the candle, I really appreciate it,” she said with a weak smile.
She headed off to her room, which had been Gray’s workroom and the guest room, and closed the door.
“How’s she doing?” I asked in a hushed voice.
Linley shrugged. “She’s really going through a rough time. I’m just trying to be there for her, whatever she needs,” she said.
Gray put his arm around her.
“Well, anytime she wants to hang out, she’s welcome at my place. Even if she just wants to sit and not talk and watch a movie or something,” I said.
“Thanks, I’m trying not to parent her too much, but I can’t help it. I know she’s an adult, but she’s suffering.”
“Been there,” I said with a sigh.
Linley nodded. “We all have. I mean, not quite to her extent, but a broken heart is a broken heart.”
That was true.
“Just tell her not to get any cars impounded,” I said.
“I’ll be sure to mention that,” Linley said.
* * *
“I feel so bad for her,”Natalie said as we drove back to my place.
“Yeah, I know. It’s shitty, no matter how you slice it. And there’s nothing you can do to make it better but to give it time. She should talk to Paige about shitty exes.”
“You mean your brother?” Natalie said.
“Yup. He’s the worst.”
“We’re going to have to be the best aunts for that baby,” Natalie said.
“We’re going to be the best aunts ever, are you kidding? That kid isn’t even going to know what to do.”
* * *
“So, I was thinking,”Natalie said when we got back. “That I might start looking into getting an apartment. Now that I have a job and everything and I’ve saved some money by living with my parents. I think I can swing a security deposit.”
“Yeah? Where would you live?” There weren’t a ton of places in Castleton to rent. Most homes were for sale, and apartments were scarce, except for Linley’s building.
“Linley’s place is nice, and I don’t think it’s too bad. Not like rent in Arizona, that’s for sure.” It was true that the cost of living in Castleton was a lot lower than other places, unless you wanted to have a mansion by the water or something.
“That sounds good,” I said.
“You don’t have to ask me to move in here,” she said. “I really want to be on my own with my own space again, if that makes sense. Not that I don’t want to live with you in future, but…” she trailed off and I put my hand on her leg.
“Nat. I get it. It’s fine. We’ve moved so fast with everything else in this relationship. I think moving in is something we can definitely hold off on for now. I’m fine here. You still want to get your license, and I want to work on my business stuff. I’m not upset.” I really wasn’t. I’d thought she might want me to ask her to move in and it was a relief that she didn’t want to. This, I knew, was the right decision for both of us right now.
“Paige and Esme moved right in, but they’re weirdos,” I said. “Don’t tell them I said that.”
