Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Frustrated, Nora
CHAPTER 20
NORA
“You really think I qualify for all of these jobs?” I swivel on my barstool to look at Atlas, shocked at the list of possible jobs he and Ellis compiled for me.
“None of the ones on this list require a degree,” Ellis says, scrambling some eggs at the stove.
“And all of them offer in-house training,” Atlas adds. “So, they’re all perfect for you.”
“Huh, who knew?” Certainly not me. I figured I’d be out of luck trying to find work, but not according to this list. Now the question is: Which one do I apply for? Do I apply for more than one? I’m not entirely sure how all of this works…
“Do any of them sound like something you’d like?”
I flick my eyes up to look at Atlas, unsure on how to reply. None of the jobs sound interesting, but I can’t afford to be picky, either. “Which one do you think pays the best and has the best benefits?”
Both men level me with a befuddled stare. “Pip, you don’t need to worry—”
“I do need to worry, Atlas.” Frustrated tears burn the back of my eyes. “Having a baby is expensive, and so is raising one. Outside of the medical costs, which I’m sure will be astronomical, I need a crib, bottles, clothes, diapers, wipes. And then, I need somewhere for all that to go—somewhere to live, to raise my baby, to call home. All of that takes money, lots and lots of money.”
By the time I’m finished, I’m full-on crying, and I hate it. I hate feeling this way, weak and small and so very unequipped for motherhood.
This baby saved me, and one way or another, I’m going to find a way to be the mother it deserves.
Ellis sets a plate in front of me, and I dig into the egg sandwich, grateful for the distraction.
“You know…” Ellis says around a mouthful of food, “you could always live here.” He swallows. “Like permanently.”
“What?” I choke on my bite, trying to make sense of his words and swallow at the same time. Atlas passes me his glass and I chug it down, shooting him a grateful smile.
It takes a minute, but once I’m able to speak, I try again. “I know you didn’t just suggest me living here, like forever. I-I can’t do that!”
“Why not?” Ellis asks, sliding his eyes from me to Atlas.
Atlas quirks a brow at his friend, who in turn nods.
“Yeah, Ellis is right.” He turns to fully face me. “You should stay here.”
“Is there a gas leak?” I sniff the air, despite it being odorless, because what else can explain Atlas and Ellis both suggesting I stay and raise my baby here. “Y’all can’t be serious.”
They trade looks again.
“We are,” Ellis starts.
“Completely serious,” Atlas finishes.
I throw my hands in the air. “Right, gas leak it is.”
“Pip, of course we want you here.” He reaches across the island and takes my hand in his. “Why wouldn’t we?”
A bitter laugh breaks free before I can reply. “Yes, why wouldn’t two bachelors want a young mom and her baby living with them? Nothing quite like bringing home a date only to get woken up in the middle of the night by a crying baby. Sounds like a dream come true, am I right?”
The kitchen is so quiet it’s almost as if it exists in a vacuum. So quiet that my pulse roars in my ears like a waterfall.
“I don’t think you get it,” Atlas says, his voice low and still. “Having you here, watching you become a mother, being a part of that jellybean’s life… Every single bit of that sounds like a dream come true—my dream, Nora. I want to be in your life in any capacity you’ll allow it, and I’m a selfish bastard, because I want to keep you all to myself, to keep you in my room and by my side. But I’m not going to clip your wings. You wanna fly and find somewhere new, I’ll help you every step of the way.” He brushes the back of his knuckles over my cheekbone. “But I really, really hope you’ll stay.”
I’m too stunned to reply right away, my emotions rising and swelling inside of me like waves in a storm.
“Plus,” Ellis adds helpfully, “I don’t bring dates home. Best not to fuck where you eat, or however that goes.”
I bust out laughing as some of the tension leaves my body. “I’ve heard it both ways,” I murmur.
“Did you just quote Psych to me?” Ellis asks, causing Atlas to groan.
A soft smile curls my lips. “I used to watch it with my dad.”
“Of course. It’s a classic.” Ellis nods. “Definitely in my top five.”
“Don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t do it,” Atlas whisper-chants.
So, naturally, I have to. “What’s your top five?”
Atlas groans again, this one far more dramatic, but Ellis grins like a madman.