Page 31 - Interior_SPRING SUMMER FALLING_2021

SPRING SUMME R FALLING | 31

I lean against the car and look up at him. “But, it’s not about me today. You
need a place to live, and I happen to have a big empty house. You decided to help
me when I said I couldn’t afford to pay for help. The way I see it, I owe you one.
You still don’t have confirmation if the baby is yours…” I roll my eyes. “And if it is,
I will be applying a garnishment to your paycheck shortly because she WILL file

for child support.”
He pales slightly. “That is what kept me up part of the night. If the baby is
mine, she will do everything in her power to make my life a living hell.”
“See!” I point at him. “You need to save all the money you can. I’m giving you
what Cassie took from you. You can stay with me for free for five months.”
His amber eyes shine in the morning sunlight as he contemplates his options.
“Five months? Are you sure?”
I take the spare house key that I’ve been too lazy to remove from my Scooby
Doo keychain and dangle it in front of him. “You would be doing me a favor. My
mom may just stop doing random pop-ups. She’d probably worry less knowing
that there is a man there to defend my honor.”
“Thank you.” He takes the key and pulls me into a hug. I must admit, even
post-jog, this is the most glorious thing that has happened to me in months. My

head rests against his hard chest, and his strong arms engulf my body. I feel tiny in
a good way. I memorize the cadence of his steady heartbeat then wiggle out of his
embrace. Henry grabs my shoulders and looks me in the eyes. “I will be the best
house guest ever. I will stay out of your way.”
“Yeah. Yeah.” I step back breaking contact. Too much exposure to Henry is
like radiation: bad for my health. “You still have to train me, and it will be
wonderful if you took over meal prepping.” I add hopefully. I despise meal
prepping.
The corners of his mouth tip up. “Of course. Anything else?”
My mind conjures up a few inappropriate options that I quickly dismiss. I
shake my head with more force than necessary. “Don’t worry. I will not think of a
bunch of chores for you to do like you’re my house man or something. I just hate
meal prepping. The rules are the usual – no unannounced or unexpected house
guests. Your mother and sister excluded. I can’t control my mom; I don’t expect
you to control yours. Clean up after yourself, and we can discuss things as they
come up. Deal?