Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Thank you so much for trusting me with a key,” he said.
“Hey, it’s no big deal,” I told him. “I should have given you one a long time ago.”
“It means something to me,” he said. “And shut up. I know this must have been a big step for you. Commitment-phobe.”
I leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “Actually, it wasn’t a big step at all,” I said. “It felt just right.”
Evan headed out a minute later, and I worked the next two and a half hours feeling like I was walking on a cloud.
I knew Evan was back at home, cooking an amazing dinner for me and my son. I knew that when I got back, I would have a full belly, someone to cuddle with, and probably more of the best sex of my life later on.
When I got back and headed into the living room, I stopped short.
“What’s going on here?” I said as I saw Evan and Zach crouched on the living room floor, huddled around something.
“You know that rat that’s been tapping in your walls all winter?” Evan said.
“It’s not a rat!” Zach exclaimed, beaming back at me.
They moved to the side and revealed a fluffy, unkempt cat, rolling around on the floor. Its hair was mottled brown and grey and white, and it was sticking in every direction.
“I named him Tricky,” Zach said.
“I think you might have a new pet cat,” Evan said.
“We just might,” I said, coming over and scratching behind Tricky’s ear. “We’re going to need to give him a good bath, and definitely take him to the vet—”
“Evan already made an appointment for tomorrow,” Zach said. “We’ve got this, Dad.”
My heart squeezed in my chest. I leaned over and kissed Evan on the forehead. “Thank you, love.”
“Tricky, sit,” Zach said.
Evan and I both laughed.
“I don’t think you can really train a cat like a dog, hon,” I told Zach.
“No! I saw it on Youtube,” Zach protested, already launching into more training commands.
Evan stood up and I wrapped my arm around his shoulders.
“Thank you again,” I said low next to his ear.
“Anytime,” he said.
It was strange that Amberfield felt like paradise, now that Evan and I were together.
There was nothing else in the world I could need.
Epilogue
Evan, Four Months Later
My first highly mathematical theory: Time always passes easier when you’re next to someone you love.
Okay, I know Einstein said something similar. But damn, was he right. Every day with Mitch only got better.
“Crap.”
“What happened now?”
“No. Crap. Literal crap.”
Mitch pointed down at the gift the new German shepherd, Dollie, had left on the floor for us while we’d been out cleaning her bed.
“I’ve got it,” I said, quickly cleaning it up and washing my hands. Dollie had just come into the shelter this morning, and she was still scared, curled up in a ball at the side of the room. “You’ll get used to it soon, honey,” I said, giving her scratches on her neck.
“She’s such a sweetheart,” Mitch said.
“All these dogs are. Except Timmy.” Timmy the chihuahua was known to have an attitude on him, but usually he could be ployed with treats.
“I kind of love Timmy, even though he’s a little asshole,” Mitch said.
Evan glanced at his watch. “I think we’re done for today,” he said. Zach and Sophia came walking down the hall of kennels soon, greeting us.
“How was it today?” Mitch asked Zach.
“Pretty good,” he replied. “Sophia and I taught Magnus to shake.”
“You’re kidding,” I said. “But Magnus is—”
“Really stupid,” Sophia said, laughing. “Turns out he isn’t that stupid. Maybe he has more like twenty brain cells instead of only one.”
“Magnus is my favorite,” Zach said. “I love St. Bernards.”
“My favorite is still Cookie,” Sophia said. “Sausage dogs are the best.”
“The obvious answer is that all dogs are good dogs,” I said.
“This is why I love you, Ev,” Mitch said. “You’re so right.”
We walked over to the bathroom and Mitch and I washed up. When we walked back out, everyone was gathered by the front doors.
“Ready to head back?” Mitch asked Zach.
“Actually, Sophia and I were going to go see a movie at the Fourplex,” Zach said. “Is that okay?”
“Of course,” he said. “Just be back before midnight.”
“Trust me, there’s nothing to do in Amberfield past ten o’clock anyway,” Zach said.
“Hey, there are plenty of fun things to do here for nightlife,” I protested. Like… going for a nighttime walk. Or hitting up the Wal-Mart.”
“We both know the Wal-Mart is a twenty-minute drive away, and not even technically in Amberfield,” Zach said.
“True. Okay. There’s nothing good for teenagers to do past ten here.”
“And that’s fine,” Mitch said, giving Zach a grin. “See you later tonight. Have fun, guys.”
We walked outside, and he and Sophia waved at us as they walked down the street. The rest of the students caught a ride back to school with Mrs. Broadwell, leaving me and Mitch on our own. The weather was insanely perfect today—blue skies with white, puffy clouds blocking out the sun every now and then. All of the trees had long since become full and green, and Amberfield was at its most beautiful.