“Do you want my opinion?”
“I wouldn’t have told you about it if I didn’t.”
Which warmed her insides some more.
“Let’s walk and talk.” He grabbed his keycard and phone, then stuck both in his pocket. “You forgot something.”
“Shit.” He grabbed the cash he’d left by the table. He had one of those electronic money clips on his phone with his ID and credit cards.
“Are you normally scattered or is it something more?”
“I’m not scattered. I’m just ready to get on with my day. I don’t carry cash often and didn’t think of it.”
She’d buy that and not that he had so much on his mind he couldn’t keep it straight.
The way he described his health when he left his last job worried her. It wasn’t just burnout, it sounded like he’d been breaking down.
A messy house, forgotten money. Small things to many, but were they signs of something else?
Both were things she hadn’t witnessed prior. Or not this bad. So she really didn’t know and hated it crossed her mind.
“Okay.”
What more was she going to say? Arguing served no purpose when she didn’t know the truth other than what he told her.
They got out of the lobby and walked toward Quincy Market. By the time they ate and walked some, they’d be getting there when it opened.
“You’re quiet,” he said. “What’s going through your head?”
“Just thinking.”
“Think out loud. Let me hear how you process thoughts.”
“I’ve never done that before.”
“Try something new,” he said.
She turned her head, her hand reaching for his. She wasn’t one for holding hands, but it felt right to do it now. “I’ve been doing a lot of new things lately.”
His hand gripped hers, then loosened so that their fingers were entwined. Enough to keep them connected but not taut.
“You have. Lay it on me. Be honest.”
“I’m always honest. What I’m thinking is that since you got in the house, you’re not as—I know you hate this word…organized. I’m not sure if you’re just adjusting to your own space and not having someone pick up after you or it’s more.”
“The first,” he said. “And I’m a slob. I’m going to get someone to come in a few times a week.”
“A few times?” she asked.
“Do you think I can have someone do it once a week?”
Her lips slid back, her neck shrinking with it. “Probably not. Unless you change some of your daily habits.”
He had an adorable smirk covering his face. “Some things are worth paying for. I can pick up a bit more, but scrubbing down isn’t really my thing.”
“If you’re willing, there are a few housekeepers at The Retreat who clean on the side. They normally have a day off during the week and on the weekends or clean at night when they are off. They are trustworthy.”
He squeezed her fingers. “You’re a lifesaver. If you’re willing to hand over their names and not worry that they’ll find out we are together, I’ll gladly take it.”
