Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Before I left, I entered Josh’s number into my phone and sent him a quick message so he could add me as a contact in case we needed to text while I was at the market.
The cold air outside hit my face, and it felt so good to get out of the house for a bit. Relief washed over me as I hopped in my car. Ah, the quiet. It felt like I’d momentarily returned to my life—the one I’d had before it was turned upside down. It had been less than twenty-four hours, but it felt like years since I’d last sat in this vehicle.
As I took off down the rural road, I called Christina to fill her in on the latest developments.
“Hey! You’re still alive,” she said as she picked up. “I’ve been waiting to hear from you.”
“I finally have a free moment to breathe.”
“How are things over there?”
I broke out in hysterical laughter. I couldn’t help it. It felt so good to let it all out. But Christina must have thought I was nuts.
“What the hell is up with you?”
“Oh, Christina.” I tapped on my steering wheel. “What a clusterfuck.”
“Oh no. Why? What happened?”
“For one… I’m not alone with Scottie. I have an unexpected roommate.”
“What? Who?”
“Josh Mathers.”
“Josh…” It took her a moment. “Brad’s hot-as-hell best friend? That guy? The one who lives in Chicago? The one you can’t stand?”
“Yes. One and the same. Apparently, he and I both had the same idea to drop everything and move here temporarily to take care of Scottie.”
“Well, if he’s there, does that mean you can come home?”
“No.” I sighed. “I’m still doing this. But it’s also not as simple as I thought. I realized soon after arriving here that this is more than a one-person job. No wonder Lorraine shot out of here like a bat out of hell when I arrived yesterday.”
“So, wait… Josh is going to be staying there permanently with you and Scottie?”
“For the foreseeable future, yeah.”
“Didn’t you say the house was small? Where is he sleeping?”
“On the couch. There’s only one bedroom besides Scottie’s. And it’s mine.”
“Well, that blows—for him.”
“Yeah. Maybe I’ll switch off with him, but we haven’t gotten that far. I’m still in shock.”
She chuckled. “I can understand.”
“The worst part is, he acknowledged that he knew I wasn’t his biggest fan. And I admitted that I knew he’d never liked me, either. So now there’s this tension between us.”
I chose not to tell her about Josh’s old text. I still had a lot of shame surrounding it, and I’d never told anyone—except Josh.
“Well, sounds like you guys have to learn to like each other if you’re gonna be living together.” She paused. “Actually, now that I know he’s there, maybe I’ll pay a visit.”
“Why?”
“He’s single, isn’t he?”
“Yeah. But you don’t want to get involved with him. I wouldn’t let you. He’s a player.”
“Who says I’m interested in a relationship? The guy is gorgeous.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Are you rolling your eyes?”
I laughed.
We talked for several more minutes, until I arrived at the market and found a parking space.
“Anyway, I’d better go. I’m in front of the market and need to get coffee for Mr. Grumpypants before he has to start work.”
“That’s very nice of you, considering you don’t like him.”
“Well, I figure he’ll be even more annoying without caffeine.” I chuckled. “Plus, I sort of need it myself to be able to deal with him.”
“Keep me posted,” she said.
“You know I will.”
After I hung up, I got out and grabbed a cart, nearly crashing into someone on the way in because I was so lost in my head.
As I perused the aisles inside, I decided to be courteous and check in with Josh.
Carly: What kind of coffee do you like?
He texted back almost immediately.
Josh: Any kind is fine.
Carly: So, pumpkin spice, then?
Josh: I’m actually not in the mood to vomit today, so no. Literally anything but that. I hate pumpkin anything.
Carly: That’s why I asked. Dark Roast, Blonde Roast?
Josh: Blonde with a hint of nuttiness sounds like your speed.
Seriously? I typed faster.
Carly: Was that really necessary?
Josh: No, but I thought it was funny.
Carly: How nice that you amuse yourself. And just for that, you’re getting pumpkin.
Reluctantly, I tossed a container of plain, dark-roast pods into the cart.
Josh: Hey, you know where you should go to get coffee?
Carly: Where?
Josh: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. They have GREAT coffee. Brad took me there when I went out to visit him.
I scratched my head.
Carly: They don’t have those here. They’re only in California.
Josh: Exactly.
Carly: Now you’re getting pumpkin spice with a shot of pumpkin, wiseass.
Josh: Whatever, Pumpkin.
Carly: Also, most of what I buy for the house will be gluten free.
Josh: Great.
Carly: Are you being sarcastic?
Josh: No, I mean things here were so much fun as it was. Gluten free only makes it better.