It takes us less than an hour to pack up. I guess since most of my stuff is either soot-covered and needs cleaning or completely ruined, there’s not that much to take.
On the ride back to Nate’s, I use my phone to make a list. “I’ll need to call one of those cleaning companies that go in after fires.” That is, once they tell me we can do that. The fire chief said they would need to inspect the house before they’d let anything happen in the apartments. They want to be sure it’s structurally sound. I get it. I want it to be safe too.
“I can do that. I’ve got a contract with one of those crews.”
“You do?”
“I do. We’ve been known to go in after something like that and renovate.”
“Makes sense.”
“I’ll need to get someone in there to take out the things that aren’t fixable.” Like my furniture. All of it.
“Let me…”
“You have a moving crew too?”
“I do.” He looks over at me and smirks. “A phone call away. Let me handle all of that. Yeah?”
I look over at him and give that some thought. “You don’t have time…”
“I’ve got lots of time. You focus on Brynn. You’re going back to work soon. I’ve got those guys on speed dial. Just let me handle everything. As soon as we get the all-clear, I’ll have them in there so you can get back home.” He smiles at me, then finishes with, “Promise.”
“Fine. Okay.” I smile at him. “Thank you, Nate.”
“You’re welcome, babe.” When he reaches out his hand and places it on my knee, I can’t help it. I like how it feels. It’s warm. And even on this hot day, warmth is a welcome feeling.
“For the record, I’m going to kill Cassie,” I mutter under my breath.
And Nate laughs. A lot.
* * *
So,we’re living with Nate.
Or we have been for going on three weeks.
Truth? It’s not terrible.
On the contrary, I’d say it’s been going quite well. The three of us are like a well-oiled machine. The first week I was still off with the baby, so we spent those days going for walks in the park right across the street from his high-rise. After that, we’d nap, maybe run to the grocery store. By the time Nate got home, there was something good for him to eat, which, apparently, makes the man very happy. I don’t think it’s just the home cooking that’s put the smile on his face, but who knows. The truth of it is, I’ve never seen him smile as much as I have since we’ve been here.
The second week, I started back at the shop half days. It was an adjustment, for sure, especially for Brynn. Although after a day or two, she adapted to the new room, the noise of the shop, and Robin’s constant chatter. I think she actually likes it. Who wouldn’t?
One of those days, Nate picked her up and took her to the office to show her off. His words. When he returned, he brought lunch and we ate together in the back room of the flower shop. It was perfect.
This week, week three, I’ll be going back full-time. I’m also hoping I’ll get to see my apartment this week. Nate said it’s a possibility, but he has to check with the specialty company he hired to clean the place to see if they’ve had time to get in there. By the time we got the okay to start work from the fire marshal, the company had already booked some other jobs. Nate assured me he’d make sure it was as soon as possible.
I guess I’ll just have to trust him on that. I miss my house, though. Don’t get me wrong, Nate’s place is beautiful. It’s just cold. The furniture, the lack of color. Although, it’s no longer lacking personal touches, because he’s been slowly putting up photos and mementos around the place. There are several of Aiden and a bunch of the professional shots of Brynn that we took at the hospital the day after she was born.
I watch Nate step out of his bedroom with wet hair from his shower, wearing a pair of athletic shorts and nothing else. I’d like to tell you I’ve gotten used to seeing him walk around likethat,but I’d be lying. He’s so damn hot. And don’t get me started on seeing that same man, looking likethat, holding our daughter.
My goodness. If my ovaries hadn’t already exploded over the guy, that’s what would happen. Kaboom!
Gah! Just the smell of him alone is driving me bonkers. He must use the kind of special shower gel that makes women weak-kneed. Either that or it’s his cologne. I haven’t dared to venture into his bedroom or his attached bathroom to sniff his man-products to find the culprit, because I’d get caught. I know it.
The smells and the sight of him half naked make the memories of our one and only night together flood back. Because living in the same house, even one as big as this place, I can tell you, there isn’t enough space to make me not want to sneak into his bed at night and see if I remember how to do it.
Every time I see those abs, his arms, everything, I remember. And since I’ve been here, I’ve been distracting myself however possible so I don’t go back to that night for fear all of those lovely memories will come flooding back and make me do something really, really stupid.
