“Sure. It’s not that exciting now that the tree is gone.” I take Kayleigh’s wine glass and set both of ours on the table next to me. She follows me to my bedroom.
“Attractive,” she says of the tarp. She steps over some of the debris on the floor. “Are you planning on cleaning this up?”
“Not all of us can keep a spotless place like you do.” I’m a very neat person but I don’t spend hours every weekend scrubbing the floors or dusting every single day, like Kayleigh.
“Sorry. I’m a tad snarky with Donovan’s mom visiting. I have to bite my tongue with her so much that I think I’m lashing out on everyone else. Earlier today Donovan texted me to ask if I wanted salad with my dinner and I practically bit his head off.” She moves out of the mess and takes a long, hard look at the room. “How long until this is fixed?”
“I’m not positive. Jimmy is fixing it for me.”
“Jimmyis?”
“Well, I hope so, seeing it was his tree that did this. He’s taking measurements tomorrow and will figure out what and how much material is needed. I’ll sleep on the couch until this is all done.”
“Ouch. The couch? I’d offer for you to stay with me but it’s a little cramped with the monster-in-law staying with us.”
I wave my hand at her. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine. Jimmy offered for me to stay at his house again, but I’m not doing that.”
“Wait, what? Andagain? When did you stay the first time? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“Please.” I scoff. “I stayed over there last night to be safe. That was it, trust me. The last thing I want to do is spend more time with him than I have to.”
Kayleigh tightens her lips and gives me a small smile. “Right...”
“I’m being serious! I can’t stand that guy. And his dog. I mean, his dog is kind of cute. He even crawled into bed with me.”
“Jimmy or the dog?”
“Okay.” I point to the door. “Get out.”
“What?”
“Time for you to leave. I have work to do and you need to get back to your mother-in-law.”
“She thinks I’m out buying sugar so she can make cookies. When she found out I didn’t have sugar in the house, you’d have thought the world had ended.”
I take a bag of sugar out of my cupboard and hand it to her. “Here. Now you don’t have to stop at the grocery store.”
She shoves the sugar back at me. “Thanks but no thanks. I’ll gladly make an additional stop at the store and prolong my time away from home.” Her phone dings. “That’s Donovan. I better get going.”
“I kicked you out, remember?”
“I chose not to hear that. I’m leaving completely on my own.”
That’s just like Kayleigh, hearing only what she wants to hear. “Whatever you need to tell yourself. Have fun baking cookies with Donovan’s mom.”
She wiggles her finger at me. “Nope. She’ll make the cookies. I’m taking a bubble bath.”
Maybe when she leaves, I’ll take one. It’s been awhile since I’ve relaxed like that. “Well, good luck either way. I think you’re going to need it.” Now I can’t wait for her to get out of here so I can draw a bath.
“Thanks, and make sure you tell me if anything happens with Jimmy.”
“Nothing will happen with him.” I wish she’d stop jumping to conclusions. This situation is frustrating enough without her adding her annoying—and incorrect—commentary to it.
“Sure.”
I’ve had enough. I put my hands on her shoulders and push her out the door. “Bye, then!”
She’s still smiling as I shut the door, knowing very well I still love her.
