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I grin. “I am.”
“You’re going to do great.”
“Tab?”
“Yeah?”
“I feel really good about this idea. Thanks.”
“Sure. Let’s call it payback for that shirt you let me borrow last summer.”
I hang up on another laugh and roll over onto my stomach. This could work. I have to explain so many things to Evie or customers at the store that I’ve gotten pretty good at teaching people in the simplest way. I’m sure there are a million tutorials on how to be an influencer, not to mention watching other influencers to figure out how to differentiate myself.
I can film a bunch of these when Evie’s at school so I don’t have to work on them when we’re together. And maybe, just maybe, with Tabitha’s support, I can start earning.
I’ll still find ways to let Bill and Lisa take care of us too. I take a deep breath.I am loved. And I am worthy. And I deserve it.
I tuck my pillow beneath my cheek with a happy sigh. A few days ago, I was in a low I didn’t know how to climb out of. I’d offended Henry, alienated my neighbors, failed my kid, and hurt Bill and Lisa.
Now, it’s all better.
Almost.
I turn away from my window so I won’t be tempted to peek at Henry’s house for evidence that he’s home.
I’ll figure how to get us back to a friend footing.
And then I’ll do the hard part: convince myself that it’s what I really want.
Chapter Thirty-One
Henry
“Tellmeaboutyourneighbor.”
“Pardon, what?” I stare at Leigh across the table at the very nice restaurant we agreed upon for dinner.
She smiles and pats her mouth with her napkin to hide it. “I asked about your neighbor. The laughing one?”
I frown, still confused. “What about her?”
“Is she by any chance attractive and available?”
A blush prickles my neck and climbs toward my face, and Leigh has to hide another smile.
“So that’s a yes,” she says.
“It’s irrelevant.”
She sets her napkin down and laces her fingers together. I’ve seen the look on her face when she’s stared down a student who comes in with a weak excuse for unfinished work. “Is it, Henry? Because for much of this semester, I sensed some interest from you. But just when it felt like an appropriate time to explore that, I could feel your interest wane. And that coincides with the arrival of the new neighbor.”
There are several things in that speech to unpack. “You thought I was interested in you all semester?”
“Weren’t you?”
“Yes,” I admit. “How come you didn’t say anything?”
“Didn’t seem smart while we were still sharing an office. Isn’t that why you waited to ask me out?”
