Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“I don’t think she’s going to want that staring her in the face,” he told me. He stuck it face-down in a drawer and rearranged the tchotchkes and photos of the kids so it didn’t look like anything was missing.
Next, we moved on to the kitchen. Like the rest of the house, it was a bit worn and cluttered, but it was also welcoming and cozy. There were so many kids’ drawings stuck to the fridge that you couldn’t even see the appliance. I loaded the dishwasher and began wiping down the counters while Collie searched the fridge and cabinets for something to make for dinner.
“You’re obviously really at home here,” I remarked, “since you know where everything is.”
“This was my second home, especially after my mom died and I moved into the apartment with Aunt Sue. Jeannie’s parents and sister always made me feel like I was one of the family. I can’t even count how many dinners I ate around that table, or how many movie nights we spent in the living room.”
I washed my hands as I asked, “So, what’s the verdict on dinner tonight?”
“I’m thinking homemade mac and cheese. JoJo gave me her recipe, and it looks like we have all the ingredients. If ever there was a time for comfort food, this is it.”
I found a barstool and placed it in front of the stove, so Collie could cook without tiring himself out. Then we got to work.
There was something deeply comforting about cooking together. We hadn’t done much of that back home, because he hadn’t been well enough. Now though, working in tandem in this cozy kitchen felt wonderful.
It was so easy to imagine us just like this a year from now, and ten years, and beyond.
But what if he insisted on staying here? I started to get emotional at the idea of going back to San Francisco without him.
He was right, we could do the long distance thing. And he wouldn’t need to be here forever. Eventually, Jeannie wouldn’t need as much help. Her kids would grow up. The newborn wouldn’t always be a baby. Things would get easier.
Maybe then, he’d come back to me.
I couldn’t let myself think about how long that might be, how many years might pass before we could truly be together. If I did, I might fall apart, and that was the last thing that needed to happen right now.
Sometime later, Jeannie came in through the kitchen door. She was carrying a detachable car seat, which contained the most adorable sleeping baby. Collie ran to her and grabbed her in a hug, and both of them instantly burst into tears.
Dwight was right behind her, carrying a huge bouquet of pink flowers and a tote bag. He and I introduced ourselves and shook hands, and I told him, “You’re the MVP of this whole thing. Way to step in and help out.”
“Oh, believe me, Jeannie is the MVP,” he said. “I was there for the delivery, and let me tell you, I feel like I owe my mom an apology after what I witnessed.”
Once Jeannie and Collie finally let go of each other, she grabbed me in a hug and exclaimed, “You feel like an old friend, Miller, after all that Collie’s told me about you.”
“So do you.”
“Thank you so much for everything you did for my bestie, including marrying him for the insurance, and taking him in, and driving him here. I’m beyond grateful.”
I murmured, “It was my pleasure.”
“Sorry for sweating all over you,” she said, as she let go of me. “I need to go take a quick shower.”
“Take your time. If the baby wakes up, I’ve got her,” Collie said. “And if you’re hungry, we made mac and cheese for dinner, and there are cupcakes in the oven.”
“I’m starving, and that sounds amazing,” Jeannie said. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Dwight started to say, “I should get out of your way, but—”
“Absolutely not. You’re staying for dinner.” She gave his shoulder an affectionate squeeze before leaving the kitchen.
The baby started to wake up just as we finished eating. Dwight put his dishes in the sink and told Jeannie, “I’ll leave you to it, but I’ll call you tomorrow.” After we said our goodbyes, Jeannie picked up the baby and walked her new friend to the door.
As soon as they were out of earshot, I said, “Wouldn’t it be great if those two ended up together? I mean, I know Jeannie isn’t going to be up for dating any time soon, but they make a great couple.”
Collie grinned at me. “You’re such a romantic.”
“Am I?”
“Definitely. Don’t you know that about yourself?”
I’d thought all my hope and optimism had been drained out of me by my last relationship. Maybe I was wrong.
After we cleaned up and started the dishwasher, Collie and I joined Jeannie in the living room. She’d just finished feeding the baby, who was sound asleep in her arms. “Thanks for getting rid of my wedding picture,” Jeannie said. “That was going to be the first thing I did when I got home.”