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“Wasn’t it?”
“Of course if fucking wasn’t,” I said, through gritted teeth. “It was way more than that. It was… You’re my best friend, Cindy.”
“You’re mine too, Luke.”
“And…”
“Which is why I think we should just focus on that,” she interjected. “Just focus on our friendship and stay out of each other’s beds.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Cindy’s words made me feel deflated. But, then again, she wasn’t kicking me out of her life.
“Is that what you really want?” I asked.
“It’s not,” she admitted. “But it’s all I think I can handle right now.”
“Okay,” I said with a nod. “I understand that.”
“Good.”
“So… friends.”
“Yes, friends,” she said with a smile.
“So are you still staying with me?” I wondered.
“I don’t think that’s a great idea, all things considered,” she answered. “But I obviously can’t stay here either.”
“I’m not letting you waste your money on a motel.”
“Neither am I. I promised Steph and Maya that I’d stay in town through the wedding, so I’m thinking about renting a room in town,” she answered. “I’ve got a couple of prospects.”
“I’ll help.”
“Really?”
“Of course. That seems like a veryfriendthing to do.”
“I guess so. Thank you, Luke.”
“It’s the least I can do. Really.”
I shoved my hands into the pockets of my running shorts and smiled at her. I wasn’t kidding. Ever since Cindy Lawless came back into my life, good things had been happening. I was feeling hopeful again. This tiny town where everyone knows everything about everybody suddenly felt less stifling and more like… home.
Nineteen
Cindy
By the end of the week, I had a new home. Temporary home, anyway. I’d rented a room from Andy Hauserman over his garage for the next six months. That should keep me here through my sister’s wedding and be long enough to figure out what to do with my life.
“This is the last one,” Luke said, heaving a cardboard box full of shoes and books onto the desk.
“Thanks.”
He looked around at the little room and peeked into the en suite bathroom. It was definitely not the Taj Mahal, but it was clean and it was exactly what I needed. Mostly because it was free from newly engaged couples who couldn’t keep their hands off each other and from tall, bearded, wannabe firemen who might end up invited into my bed again.
“You don’t have a lot of stuff,” he commented.
“I know.”
