I hurry back to work in the cold weather. Hating that the bleak winter months are coming.
Janice nods when she sees me come through the front doors. “Killing that pencil skirt, Lil.”
“Thanks, Janice,” I say with a blush.
“That running is paying off.” She gives me a thumbs up as I walk by.
When I reach my office, I sit at the desk and try to work. But my mind tiptoes back to the house. James says it hasn’t had a single showing. No one is looking for an old gut job at Christmas.
But I am and always have been.
I pull up the listing and imagine how it would be all fixed up.
It remains open as I move on, working and trying not to spend the day pining over the relic I would have to spend a small fortune on.
The day drags on, as Mondays always do, and finally it’s nearly dark outside. Which means it’s the end of the day. I jump up and pull on some sneakers to do the walk home. I sneak out the side door, as usual, and try to get to the apartment before the sun is completely gone.
I open the door to my place, ready for a glass of wine and a kitty snuggle. Before I can get inside, Sam’s door opens across the hall, making the fall wreath I made him swing back and forth. “Hey.”
“Hi.” I let him in, taking my shoes off and hurrying to the kitchen to wash my hands. Romeo is snuggling Sam. Something I plan on doing too.
“You feel heavier than the last time I saw you.” Sam lifts Romeo like he is weighing him and glances at me. “Have you been feeding him the light food? I told you he’s gaining.”
“Yeah, I did but he eats more of it,” I try to defend myself.
“You’re supposed to ration the amount you give him.”
“It makes him unhappy if there isn’t food.” I take Romeo and kiss his nose. He still hasn’t warmed to me doing it. “What do you want for dinner?” I ask Sam, realizing this is normal now. Me and him and the cat.
“Why don’t you choose while I get you something to drink.” He walks to the bar I put in the dining room.
“What about this stuffed gnocchi and sauce I got at Pete’s?” I hold up the Parmesan sauce. “I have some potato bread already made into garlic toast. I can reheat it. And a salad?”
“That sounds amazing.” He nods and starts mixing drinks. We’ve weirdly fallen into this comfortable routine. I expect it’s Covid and the inability to go out or be around other people. Shawnee and Anthony’s relationship happened the same way. It sort of fell into place.
A minute later, there’s a perfect old-fashioned sitting in front of me. Sam has one too and lifts it in the air. “Cheers.”
Taking it, I hoist it to his, tapping the lip of our glasses. “Cheers.”
I take a sip and moan. He added some of the cherry water instead of simple syrup. It’s stunning. “I signed today for the last of the investments. Rod and I now have nothing tying us together. Not a single thing.”
“What about your incomes? Will he be forced to pay alimony?”
“No. We make almost the same.”
He walks around the island and pulls me into his arms. “I didn’t get a kiss yet.” He lowers his face to mine, delicately brushing his lips against my cheek. “Did you decide I’m right and buy the house?” He kisses the other cheek, making my insides flutter.
“No.”
We kiss. I lean into it, needing his touch. There’s an odd experience within our embrace. It’s never happened to me before. But I take something from this. I glean from him like a succubus. He heals something when he holds me. He fills me up.
His tongue lazily finds its way into my mouth and I taste the bourbon we’ve both drank. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down to me, pressing our bodies against one another.
His hands cup my ass, grinding me into him.
The kiss deepens as he spins and walks us to my bedroom.
We skip dinner and go straight for dessert.
Chapter 44
December 11
Unknown location
“Lil,” a voice calls me.
But it’s so far away. I don’t think I can swim that far.
I roll over in the water and wait.
“Come back to me,” the voice says.
But the water rises, sinking me further.
It’s nice here.
Quiet.
Chapter 45
December 11
“Do you think James will like this?” Liz sends a picture into our group chat via text. I look away from the computer and the Friday night Zoom hangout with my sister and Shawnee to my phone.
“Virtual reality?” I wrinkle my nose when I see what she sent. “Yes, James would love it. But they aren’t something you can all play together. He’ll end up on there by himself, making you crazy as he acts out whatever he’s seeing. I think you should get him that Dance 2021 game. You already have the Switch for it, and he and the kids can play. And it’s active.”
“Oh totally. Lil’s right,” Shawnee agrees. “That will make you nuts.”
“You’re right,” Liz says after a second of contemplation. “The kids will want to play with it and everyone will be fighting over their turn.” She shudders and we laugh.
“What are you getting Anthony?” I ask Shawnee, pretty excited this has lasted. She is smitten and they’ve been discussing selling one of their places and moving in together. It’s huge for her.
“I got him an open ticket to Istanbul. We can book it whenever we want in the next two years, depending on how Covid is doing, obviously. But with the UK having the vaccine and already dispensing it, we could be good to go by next Christmas, maybe.”
“That’s amazing. I’ve always wanted to see Istanbul,” I gush. “Great gift, Shawnee.”
“I got a huge plague discount.” She winks.
“What do you think he got you?” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Do not say an engagement ring. It’s been like seven months. That’s not long enough to get engaged.” She waves her hand in front of the computer screen.
“James and I only dated for six months before getting engaged,” Liz adds.
“James is a unicorn.” Shawnee laughs.
“That’s fair.” I point out.
Liz lifts her middle fingers up to us both.
“I can’t believe we won’t be seeing the kids and you guys or any parents this whole holiday,” I change the subject before Liz gets sensitive.
“I can’t wait for this dumpster fire of a year to be over. Freaking plague and all the other bullshit can go away.” Liz pouts.
“Yeah, my parents have had their open house every single year for the last thirty. This is the first year without it. It’s crazy to think we’ll all be separated.” Shawnee furrows her brow. “It was a tough choice between quarantining for two weeks and staying with my parents or just staying with Anthony.”
“Your dad would never let you choose them.” I roll my eyes and take a sip of wine. “He is too hung up on Anthony.”
“True story,” Shawnee says with a sigh. “My mom already said if I blow things with him, there’s a chance he stays and I’m the one getting the boot.” She laughs.