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“Whatever. The point is, Nora’s the one with nothing to lose. But it doesn’t matter because as good as she is with Otto and as much as I like her, in two weeks’ time, she’s done here. This is not the life she’s after.”
Even if I wish it was.
Chapter 10
Nora
Stepping out into the brisk November air, I glance over my shoulder at the glass and steel monolith I will most definitely not be working in. The bus stop is at the corner, and when I get there, I check my phone.
Axel: How did it go?
Me: Bust. Still crossing my fingers for the interview tomorrow.
But not holding my breath.
Axel: Tell me about it when you get home.
Me: Deal. See you soon.
I spend the ride expanding my job search criteria and turning down a rooming offer because it’s looking more and more like I’m going to have to reevaluate my budget for housing. By the time I get back to the apartment, I’m wound tight, anxious about my options or lack thereof, and all I want is the soothing comfort of holding Otto for a few minutes and Axel making me laugh.
Axel’s waiting for me when I walk in. He’s holding a pint of some fancy organic ice cream I’m pretty sure wasn’t in the freezer before I left, and he’s got the monitor hooked on the waistband of his joggers, making them hang low on one side.
Wow. I don’t even know where to look.
“Otto had a bottle and change, so there’s a good chance you’re going to get to eat this before he rouses from his nap.”
“Did you really get me pity-party ice cream?” I ask, forcing my eyes to the more appropriate temptation as I shrug out of my coat.
“Astrid says it’s really more of an any-occasion ice cream.” He heads into the living room, waving with the spoon for me to follow. “Told me I couldn’t go wrong with it and to stock a second pint in the back of the freezer behind ‘something gross’ so there’s a chance it will last you until Thanksgiving.”
And there it is, the good humor I was so hoping he’d deliver. “That’s like three days away. This is some hype.”
Dropping into the corner of the couch, I gratefully accept the ice cream. He’s even pried the lid off for me. Thoughtful.
The first bite is pure decadence, and it must be written all over my face too, because Axel smiles and turns to the fireplace, flipping the switch to ignite it.
“The job thing is going to work out.” Joining me on the couch, he takes the spoon from my hand and digs out a creamy bite from the pint. “Have some more, it’s medicinal.”
When I don’t open, he pokes my mouth, making me giggle.
I accept the bite, closing my lips around the spoon and drawing the creamy sweetness onto my tongue.
It’s so good, I hum with pleasure.
“Jesus, that good, huh?” Axel’s voice is choked, his eyes on the pint of ice cream between us.
“Id reawy is.” I swallow and take the spoon from him, scooping out another bite. “Haven’t you even tried it?”
“I don’t eat a lot of sweets.”
“One bite.” I hold the spoon out. “I won’t tell the team nutritionist.”
He huffs a laugh, grabbing my hand in his and steering it toward his mouth. And then he’s the one moaning around the spoon, making all the ecstasy faces and nodding like he finally gets it.
He’s over-the-top, and I know it’s for my benefit. He’s going out of his way to cheer me up. Because it turns out he’s a pretty decent guy.
And this pretty decent guy seems to notice he’s still holding my hand at the same time I do. Clearing his throat, he lets go and checks the monitor where Otto is still sleeping soundly.
