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)
“That’s terrible.”
“It was. But besides that, he needs to live in a big city, someplace with job opportunities, and an art scene, and diversity. Someplace where he’s not the entire LGBT community, all on his own.”
“I totally agree. But you’re his family, and he loves you. I can see why he wants to be here for you and your kids.”
“I love him too, and that’s why I want to see him living his best life in San Francisco,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m incredibly grateful that both of you came to help me, but Collie already spent almost a decade taking care of his aunt. It’s his turn now. He needs to prioritize himself for once, instead of worrying about me and my children.”
“Have you told him that?”
“Yeah, several times, but he just keeps telling me I’m terrible at accepting help. That might be true, but I don’t want him to make a huge sacrifice for me.”
We both turned back to the window. Collie, Scotty, and Allie had been making masks for Halloween, and as they put them on and started laughing, I asked, “What about you, Jeannie? Do you think you’ll always live here?”
“Whenever I talked about moving, Brad always shut me down. He claimed he wanted to live here forever, but then he up and moved to Seattle with his side piece. Make it make sense.”
“Well, there’s a silver lining to splitting up—you can do whatever you want now. There’s no need to consult anyone or make any compromises.”
“That’s true. I don’t know if I’m brave enough to start over somewhere else though, especially with four little kids.”
“I know you could do it. After watching you in action this past week, handling everything with so much grace, I’m totally convinced you can do anything,” I said. “I’m sure Collie would agree with me. He calls you the strongest person he’s ever met.”
“Speaking of Collie, he looks tired. It’s only been five weeks since his surgery, and he’s definitely been overdoing it. His doctor hasn’t even signed off on him driving or lifting more than ten pounds yet. And by the way, that’s another reason you need to take him back to San Francisco. He’s missing all of his checkups.”
“You’re right. He keeps saying he’s going to find a doctor here and have his records transferred, but he hasn’t done that yet.”
“I’m going to tell him to get some rest,” Jeannie said, as she picked up the baby monitor and headed for the kitchen door. “If he comes in here and tries to start working on something, stop him and make him go lie down.”
“I’ll do my best.”
When she joined her family on the blanket, Scotty and Allie excitedly showed her the masks they’d made. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I could tell by Jeannie’s big smile and animated expression that she was gushing over them, much to her kids’ delight.
It warmed my heart to watch them. Jeannie was a great mom, and she and her children clearly adored each other. It sucked that Brad had all but abandoned them, and they had to be hurting, but I really believed they were going to be just fine in the long run.
Jeannie and Collie had a short conversation, and then he picked up the cat and brought her inside. He was wearing a sparkly black cat mask, which was very cute, and probably a tribute to Kate. “I’ve been ordered to take a nap,” he told me, “but I’ll only go to bed if you come along and cuddle with me.” He put the mask on the table and took off the cat’s harness, and she jumped onto a kitchen chair and glared at me for literally no reason.
“Like I’d ever say no to that.”
We went upstairs, and once we locked the guest room door behind us, Collie grabbed my hand and towed me to the bed. Both of us kicked off our shoes, and he playfully pushed me onto the mattress and climbed on top of me.
He was wearing my favorite sweater, the one with a little pink heart on the chest. I liked it because it was soft to the touch, and because it was slightly cropped, exposing a tantalizing inch or two of skin above his waistband. I slid my hands under the sweater and up his back as he dotted kisses along my jaw.
When his lips met mine, a rush of desire shot through me. He deepened the kiss, but then he left me wanting more as he tilted his head and lightly bit my earlobe.
He sat up and tossed his hair to one side, and I ran my hands up his thighs as I murmured, “You’re incredibly sexy.”
“I never felt sexy,” he said, as he traced my lower lip with his fingertip, “but somehow, you make me believe it.”