Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
How about naughty? Hmm…his response will tell me the kind of man he really is...
Me: Nudes will cost you.
Heston: I’d settle for lunch.
I wasn’t expecting that response. Maybe he is a nice guy, after all—not just playing a part.
I sigh. A lunch date might not be a bad idea. After my divorce a few years back, I moved in with my mother and haven’t been in a relationship since. I’ve sheltered myself and my heart from being broken, protecting it from ever having to feel like I’m replaceable again. Moving here is supposed to be the start of something new, right? Something better? This is what Mom wanted for us. If I don’t take a chance, her wishes will be in vain. If anything, my mother showed me you never know when your day is up, so what am I waiting for?
Me: Maybe.
“Hello?”
I glance over my shoulder at the unfamiliar voice. A tall woman with blonde hair flowing over her chest stares back at me inside my home. “Hi. I’m Tenly Brights. I live across the street. The house with the green door.” She gives a small wave, her smile overly big, and one foot tucked behind the other. I can’t help but notice how gorgeous she is—and the epitome of a suburban housewife. Standing up, I brush my hands off on my shorts and walk over.
“Hi!” I shake her hand. “I’m Rain.” She tilts her head to the side, looking at me intently. I can’t help but notice the softness of her palm and her perfectly manicured nails. She’s wearing a loose-fitting purple top, black yoga pants, and stark white sneakers without a spot of dirt on them.
“That’s a beautiful name. Where are you from?” she asks, with curious eyes.
“Thanks. We just moved from Charlotte.”
“Ah, city girl. Well, I was just coming back from my morning jog, saw your door open, and thought I’d introduce myself. Do you need any help?” She gestures toward the temple of boxes in the living room.
“I think I’ve got it. I’m almost done,” I say, stunned she even offered. People in the city don’t do that. They keep their head down and walk on by like they see nothing.
She looks around, her foot untucking as she becomes more comfortable. “Is it just you?”
“Me and my daughter. She should be here soon.”
“Bless your heart being a single mom in today’s world.” She shakes her head, sympathy pouring from her deep green eyes. I can’t tell if she’s giving me a compliment or being critical. “I mean, some people around here wouldn’t understand choosing to split up a family and raise a child in separate households, but I totally respect it.” She presses her hand to her chest, and I can’t help but wonder if people really are that quick to judge around here, or if Tenly is just a gossip. There’s always one woman on the block, isn’t there—acts like your best friend and talks behind your back?
“Well, her dad and I didn’t work out, and we didn’t want to stay together just for the sake of Paige, you know? We weren’t happy and didn’t want to project that onto our daughter.”
Wait—why am I explaining myself to a stranger?
It’s this place. I want to make a good impression. Come off as a good mother, who only wants the best for her daughter.
“I get it.” She nods, her silky blonde layers framing her face. “My husband and I have been trying for kids.” She holds both hands up with her fingers crossed. “Hopefully, this month will be the lucky one!”
“How exciting! Good luck to you guys,” I encourage. I don’t know anything about trying to get pregnant. I wasn’t expecting to when I had Paige. Ever since, I’ve been scared to even look at a penis, fearing it might happen again…well, and the whole not dating thing.
Her bright smile fades. Her eyes dart from side to side, scoping out the place again. “Yeah…well, it’s been three years. I don’t have my hopes too high.” The joyfulness in her voice from moments ago has been cut with something dark and broody. Loss and loneliness stir the depths of her eyes into that of a fine mist hanging over the everglades after a morning rain.
“Well, I’ll get out of your way.” Tenly takes a step back, slipping her hands into the pockets of her pants. “Nice to meet you!”
“You too,” I reply. As she leaves, I cross my arms and rest my hip on the doorway, watching Tenly as she walks across the street to a big house with foliage spidering up the side, matching her forest-colored door.
3
Sitting on the floor going through boxes, it’s taking me longer than I expected because I keep running into mom’s things. Turning behind me, I grab the top of a cardboard box, dust feathering my palm and tug it toward me. Opening up the top, I reach inside and pull out something soft. It’s my mom’s horribly colored crochet blanket. It was such an eyesore in the living room of our old place, I remember sneaking it back into her room all the time. I have no idea why she loved it so much, but she did. Running my fingers across the twisted silk knots, the orange and black bleed into green. Bringing it to my face, I inhale the sweet notes of the strawberry lotion she always used. It makes me miss her more. My eyes gloss over, thinking about how her smell will soon fade.