Reaching past him, I take Aiden’s frame and do the same. “Okay.” I nod. Looking around, I’m not sure what to grab. “We’ll need clothes.”
“Why don’t I gather up Brynn’s things and you get yours. Do you have a suitcase?”
I do. Walking into my bedroom, I wince at my open closet doors. Everything that’s facing out is black. Including the suitcases.
Seeming to understand, Nate asks, “Garbage bags?”
“Under the sink in the kitchen.”
He returns with two plastic bags. “Use these for now.”
“Right.” I move to my dresser, because it’s obvious the clothes in my closet are toast. I empty the contents of each drawer into the bags. Luckily, the drawers not only hold my underwear and maternity bras, but that’s also where I house my tees, shorts, leggings, and sweatpants—what I wear most of the time anyway.
Scanning my room, I decide there’s nothing else to salvage. As I make my way to the bathroom, I hear a voice at my open front door.
“Hoooolyshit.” I turn and see Robin looking around the place.
“I know.” I can’t think of anything else to say. She rushes to me and wraps me up in her arms.
“At least you two are okay. Stuff can be replaced.”
And that does it. I lose it. Because while she’s right about most stuff, there are things that just can’t be. I open one eye, and the only thing I see is the soot-covered sofa that I love. It’s ruined. No one in their right mind would bother paying to clean that thing up. Not even me.
“Shh, hon,” he says softly. “It’s going to be fine. You and Brynn can stay with me.”
“They’ll stay with me.” I lift my head in time to see Nate looking cranky, and it reminds me I haven’t seen much of Mr. Cranky Pants lately.
“Brynn will need a space—”
“I’ve got a space.”
I look down at Robin and see her expression is one of interest.
“Oh, yeah?”
I nod. “He does. Brynn’s got a room at his condo.”
Robin looks at Nate and asks, “Does Maggy have a room?” I know what she’s doing. She’s hoping Nate says no, that we are going to bunk together, but that’s not going to happen.
“I’ve got three bedrooms, yes.”
See?
Robin looks at me. “If he gets too crotchety, you let me know and I’ll pick you girls up.”
Crotchety.The words make me snicker, and it makes Nate growl. Literally. “Will do.”
“Now, tell me what you need for me to do.”
I hand her an empty garbage bag. “Bathroom. See if anything is salvageable.”
“Right.” I watch her march right to my tiny bathroom.
“I’ll get the things from the fridge.”
“I’ve got food, babe.”
Ignoring the “babe” part of that, I respond, “No need for things to go to waste.” Besides, I’ve got breast milk in there I’d like to have just in case.
