AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. His best friend pulled him through and they were really close.”
“It’s great to have friends you can count on,” the client in her chair said. Cat’s client was sitting there listening to them talk too. Most times that was the routine.
“It is. But he died in the line of duty almost a year ago. I think it was right after the first of the year. That’s why he moved here. To get away. They were roommates.”
“Wow,” Cat said. “And the way he looked the first time he came in here, now it all makes sense.”
“Yeah,” she said.
“He doesn’t look like that anymore,” Cat said, angling his head. “So you are doing your magic in more ways than one.”
“I’m not so sure how magical I am, though his mother sure thinks I’m a genie in a bottle.”
“One he rubs all the time,” Cat said, laughing.
She smiled back. “I’m not complaining.”
Cat finished her client shortly after, gave everyone a hug and wished them Merry Christmas, then left.
Vivian went home and showered and changed, then texted Brent and told him to come over any time.
Dinner was in the oven, gifts under the tree, and her plans for the night were set.
She wanted to watch old Christmas movies like she always did. She’d let Brent choose because she had a feeling he’d never done it before and it’d be nice for them to share in this tradition of hers.
“That was great,” Brent said when he wiped his mouth. “I could eat roast beef and mashed potatoes every night of the week.”
“I’m glad you liked it. I’ll bake a cake in the morning to bring to your mom’s.”
“Which my mother appreciates. Are you sure you’re okay with us staying here tonight?” he asked.
“Positive. I don’t care if Sammie is on the bed. She might squish us, but that’s fine.”
“Gives us a reason to cuddle more,” he said. He wasn’t much of a romantic person and she could honestly say she wasn’t looking for that. But when he made comments like he just did, it reminded her that she was pretty lucky too.
While she was cleaning up dinner, he turned the TV on to scan the movie listings for the night. The news was on in the background and she heard an advertisement for one of the celebrity gossip shows say, “Stay tuned for more tonight on the upcoming documentary of Christian Carmichael and who from Hollywood will be appearing.”
She almost dropped the plate in her hand but grabbed it fast and looked at Brent. He was still scanning movie listings with the show talking about someone else. He hadn’t been fazed and didn’t notice her movement either.
Crap. Of all the things to hear tonight, it had to be that. It’s not like she could pull out her computer and start looking either.
She’d have to push it from her mind and take care of it another day.
“Christmas with the KranksandBad Santa. Totally need to watch them,” he said.
“Sounds good,” she said, knowing she’d need something to laugh about tonight when all she wanted to do was cry.
26
Living In The Dark
Aweek later Brent was on his way to Vivian’s for the night. It was nice having Saturday and Sunday with her last weekend and he was looking forward to it again.
She’d be home in about twenty minutes and he was going to stop to get pizza on the way with Sammie, then spend the night.
It was actually more comfortable in her house even if her bed was smaller. His house was plain and simple. It suited him, but he knew it didn’t always suit her.
Not to mention he was home all week and could get things done when she was at work. With him there on Saturdays and Sunday, she could still do her laundry and pay her bills or whatever else she needed to. They didn’t have to entertain each other every waking minute. It was more like being in the other’s presence.
