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Seller’s agent: He can move in tomorrow, but you know it’ll take a couple of days at least to get the paperwork finished. Get the money wired and we’ll let him move in as a renter. I’ll get the agreementdrawnup.
Jay:Cool.
I cannot make this stuff up. Once again, I was reminded why my mother was so enamored with this life. Money moves mountains. Being reminded of my past made me more uncomfortable than I cared to admit. On the one hand, wow…easy life. On the other, the constant fear my mother lived with, always worrying it would all go away. Part of this is what killed her. The other part…wasonme.
“You look deep in thought.” Harry squatted beside me and kissed mytemple.
“Just enjoying the view. And the pool.” I sighed happily. “You’re going to love thishouse.”
With one finger, he lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. “You’re going to love it too. This placeisours.”
I pushed his finger out of the way and moved to stand. “For now,” I whispered. I knew how these things worked. I had no delusions. No matter how nice Harry seemed, no matter how different he appeared. At the end of the day, I would always remember where I stood in the scheme ofthings.
He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “I’ll find other ways of convincing you. Ready fordinner?”
My stomach rumbled and I laid a hand over it. “I thought you’d never ask. Where do you wanttogo?”
“Um, let’s go eat at the hotel.” Ishrugged.
“Wait. This is literally our last night of freedom in Vegas and you want to eat at the hotel?” Harry frowned. “I know we can do better than that.” He finger combed hisbeard.
“Oh, I’m sure we can, but after this I need to go back to my house and pack. Tomorrow we move in, right?” I grinned. My stomach wasn’t merely hungry. I battled nervesaswell.
“I see your point. Let’s go eat. I’ll follow you to your house and help you get moved out.” He wrapped an arm around my waist. “You shouldn’t have to do all this alone. After all, you’re helping me. The least I can do is helpyoutoo.”
Soon he had me settled in the passenger seat of his car. Harry hopped into the driver’s side. For a while, we rode in companionable silence. Although he seemed perfectly content, I was racked with worry and doubt. This could go wrong so many ways. Alcoholics were wild cards. Sometimes, I could predict my mother’s behavior. Sometimes, she managed to shock me. I never saw the suicide coming. I’d never make that mistakeagain.
My shoulders heaved as I took a few deep, calming breaths. “Thank you. I appreciate your help.” Harry had no idea how much it took for me to accept his assistance. I was ridiculouslyindependent.
As we neared the hotel, his phone rang. He peeked at the screen. “It’s Ty. I’ll call him back afterweeat.”
“You can answer it, if you want. I don’t mind.” I smiledlazily.
“No way. This is our time. For once, I want us to enjoy a meal in a restaurant without interruptions. You wouldn’t think it’d be so hard.” He shookhishead.
“Agreed.” Ilaughed.
“We’ve hit more than our fair share of road blocks.” Harry reached out and laid a hand on my thigh. Seconds later, his phone chimed and text messages flashed on hisscreen.
“Maybe you should’ve answered his call,” I teased. “Mr. George does not seem to take ‘no’ for ananswer.”
“Never has, never will,” Harry grumbled. “Could you please read themtome?”
“Sure.” I shrugged, then reached for his phone in the cup holder. I touched the home button and his phone opened. “Nopasscode?”
“Eh, no secrets. No need. I live a patheticallyboringlife.”
“And yet the last couple of days would suggest otherwise,” I teased as I tapped on the icon for the text messages. “Oh, hell,” I muttered when the first few words jumped outatme.
“Out loud. What does it say?” Harry glanced at meimpatiently.
“Drew snuck out of the hospital. They have no idea where he is. This is my paraphrase, obviously.” Isighed.
“Obviously.” He blew out abreath.
“They’d like you to meet them in the conference room while they try to figure out where to look for him.” I held his phone, poised torespond.
“And there goes dinner. Could you please tell them I’m on my way? Ten minutes and we should be there.” He rubbed his forehead. “Is there any way, any way at all, I can convince you to wait for me in the restaurant for fifteen minutes? I really want to help you. I really,reallywant to enjoy a quiet mealwithyou.”
