Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“I can be good. I just need a minute to pipe down.”
But it was more than that. I was feeling very emotional about what he’d admitted tonight, and I didn’t want him to catch on. “It’s late,” I said. “I have an early web meeting tomorrow, so I’d better try to get some sleep.”
“Okay, then.” He frowned.
“You going to bed, too?” I asked.
“Gonna take a cold shower first.”
As I walked toward my room, I looked over my shoulder. “I know what that’s code for.”
“You got me.” He winked.
I’m so gonna miss living here.
Chapter 36
* * *
CHLOE
Two weeks later, I’d settled into my childhood home and had moved my mother into her old bedroom. Even with almost constant help, aside from the overnight hours, it’d been a bigger undertaking than I’d imagined. The only reason I’d been able to hire a caregiver so fast was that I’d decided to pay out of pocket to expedite things. And the fact that Evan hadn’t been charging me rent all this time was the only reason I could manage that. The care facility had put me in touch with a former staffer who’d retired but still worked per diem. It was lucky that she happened to be available.
When the caregiver was here, I’d alternate between work, sitting with Mom, and cleaning the house. Even though the workers were currently on pause, there was still a fair amount of dust.
I’d just closed my laptop for the day when my phone rang. It was Evan calling.
“Hey,” I answered. “What’s up?”
“How are things over there?”
“Stable. Mom doesn’t seem affected one way or the other by being home. I’d hoped it would trigger something positive in her, but I guess we’re beyond that point. It still makes me feel good to have her here, though.”
“I know Effie and I were supposed to be coming by later, but there’s a bit of an emergency at the power plant, so I’m not gonna be able to make it tonight.”
“No worries. Why don’t you still drop her by?”
“Well, I didn’t want to burden you, so I was gonna take her to Drew’s.”
“Nonsense. She was looking forward to it. Bring her here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Mom has someone with her until after eleven tonight, and I’m finished with my work for the day. It’s the perfect time.”
“Okay, if you’re really okay with it, I know she’d love that.”
“I miss her,” I assured him.
A half hour later, the doorbell rang. I ran down the stairs to greet them, eager for the comic relief Effie would bring to an otherwise melancholy mood around here.
I opened to find Evan looking handsome as ever in a denim jacket rolled up at the sleeves, the beautiful veins in his forearms on full display. He also smelled divine. What I wouldn’t give for a moment alone with him right now.
I looked down at a smiling Effie. “Welcome to your home,” I said cheekily.
“Hi, Chloe!”
I bent to hug her, and she skipped past me into the house.
“Thanks again,” Evan said.
“Are you kidding? I should be thanking you for dropping off my buddy.”
He grinned. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“It’s honestly no rush.”
“Effie had a big lunch, so she should be good until dinner. I’ll make her something at home later.”
“Okay.” I didn’t argue that, since I didn’t have too much food in the house.
Evan looked into my eyes. “I’m dying to kiss you,” he muttered.
“I know.” I winked.
He leaned in and inhaled my scent. “Call me if you need me.”
I waved him away. “Don’t worry about us.” I stood at the door admiring his ass as he walked away.
After Evan left, I joined Effie in the living room.
“It’s weird to see our couch here,” she said.
Evan had moved some things from their previous home to this house, while other stuff was still in storage.
“It must be. I know your dad plans to add a lot more furniture once you guys move in.”
“Did you love living here?”
I sat on the couch next to her. “I really did.”
“How about now?”
“It’s a little different for me now, but still nice to be here.”
“Where is your mom?” she asked.
“She’s upstairs. Would you like to meet her?”
Effie nodded.
“Okay.” I stood and waved her toward the stairs.
As she followed me up, I warned, “She probably won’t say anything. But don’t take it personally. We talked about this, remember?”
“Yup.”
Effie slowed her steps as we approached the room. She stayed behind me, seeming a bit shy.
“Hi, Mom. I want you to meet my friend Effie.”
Remarkably, my mother turned to her. “Little Judy,” she said.
Effie smiled but looked up at me in confusion.
“I think you remind her of herself when she was little,” I whispered.
Mom seemed to see a bit of herself in everyone.
“Hi,” Effie said softly, but Mom didn’t respond.
“Has my mother eaten?” I asked her caregiver, Millie.