“Of course, I’ll do whatever I can.”
“I apologize for any bind my sudden leaving puts you in.”
He waved a hand. “It’s no biggie. Most important thing is taking care of your baby.”
I gave a halfhearted smile through my tears.
“Do you mind if I pry?”
“Uh, no, it’s—it’s fine.”
“Where is the father?”
Itwasa highly personal question, but Chris was the only person I’d talked to about it. Everyone loved Chris and talked about what an all-around good guy he was. So, based on the way he was listening and understanding, I figured he wanted to help me. And God only knew how much help I needed.
“He”—I looked at my hands on my lap—“he doesn’t want us.”
I wasn’t watching Chris, but his chair creaked as he sat back in it. He muttered a quiet expletive. His voice was tender. “Miranda, I’m so sorry.”
I shrugged. Couldn’t talk or I’d cry.
“When is your friend moving?”
“End of next week.”
“Hm. You know I own some properties, right?”
“I didn’t know.”
He sat forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “Yes and I have a duplex with an unoccupied unit right now.”
“I don’t think I could afford rent at a duplex. Not by myself anyway.”
“But maybe we could work something out. I have to get $500 out of that unit to make the mortgage payment. Could you do that?”
I swallowed. That was very cheap. I nodded slowly, processing on the fly. “Uh, yeah, I think so—I guess it depends on where I end up finding another job.”
“Well, take this week. Think about it. Look for a job. Have potentials call me and I’ll give you a great recommendation. Let me know by about Monday whether you want to get in the unit or not. We won’t even worry about the lease. Just go month to month, whatever you need.” He smiled, and I was grateful for a friend.
“Chris, wow, thank you so much.”
“Can you do all that and get back with me?”
“Yes, most definitely.”
“Awesome.” He reached over and patted my forearm. “It’ll all work out. You guys will be okay, you’ll see.”
I stood to go.
“And Miranda?” He swiveled his chair back to the computer screen. “The guy who gave you up? He’s an idiot.”
For the first time since I left Nashville, it felt like someone was in my corner.
TWENTY-NINE
Miranda
My phone rang. It was Jack. I hesitated to pick it up, but he never called me from work, so I figured I should.
