She waved her foot around, nearly taking out my eye.“But it’s itchy.I can’t sleep when it’s itchy.”
“We could put lotion on it.”
“Okay.”
After applying lotion to her big toe, she finally lay back down.I climbed up to the top bunk and tucked her in, then kissed her forehead.“Love you, ladybug.”
“Love you too, Momma.”
Elana was passed out on her bed, legs spread every which way.I placed a kiss on her head, then dragged myself back into the living room, forcing myself not to look at the way the girls’ toys were piled up because we had no place to put them, or how there was only a small gap between the furniture to walk through.I knew things could be worse.We were all healthy, I still had my girls, and I had great friends.
But as many people had unhelpfully already pointed out, the apartment was the worst place I’d ever lived.We were barely scraping by.If it weren’t for the dinner deliveries, I’d be skipping dinner more days than not.Sometimes it was my only meal.
I fell back onto the couch again, settling into the same spot I’d been in before.My body ached, and it was sweet relief to get off my feet.I’d been looking for a second job and had already talked to Malena about it.She offered to take the girls on the weekends when Cockalorum didn’t want them, which meant I’d have extra income but wouldn’t have to pay for childcare.That way, I could work Saturday and Sunday nights at Frankie’s, a little dive bar around the corner that had offered me a job.I would start tomorrow once the girls were gone on their vacation.
I wondered if there was any tequila left from when Malena and Keely came over for one of our margarita nights.A drink sounded great right now.
Turning on the TV, I settled in for some mindless entertainment.I’d only watched the first ten minutes ofBridgertonwhen someone knocked on the door.It was after eight at night.Anyone at my door at that time couldn’t mean anything good.There were no messages or missed calls on my phone, so it wouldn’t be one of my friends.
I debated ignoring it.In the almost seven weeks we’d now been here, the police had been in the building four times.
But whoever was out there was persistent, knocking again.I prayed it wasn’t the police again.
Gritting my teeth, I rolled out of the cushion, then dragged myself to the door.Orange was already there, wagging his tail and scratching.Winston was on top of the kitchen cupboard—the highest point in the apartment—his tail swishing back and forth in agitation.He looked ready to attack whoever was at the door.
A look through the peephole showed a familiar square jaw and stubble.Blinking to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, I looked through again.The handsome face was still there.
I unlocked the door and pulled it open, staring at Vance.
“I thought this place was bad during the day, but it seems there’s a whole lot more crazy that comes out at night.”
His gruff voice sounded deeper than usual.Was that even possible?Was I already asleep and this was a dream?Did that mean he was about to take his clothes off?
“What?”
“It’s not safe for you to live here.”
I nodded at Orange, who was dancing around Vance’s legs.“I have a dog.”
Vance patted Orange, then took a step forward, bringing us toe-to-toe.Orange was now frantically licking his hand.
I finally regained my wits.“What are you doing here?”
He gave Orange another scratch behind the ears, his eyes never leaving mine.“Your divorce is final.”
I covered my mouth with my hand, my vision going slightly blurry from the tears filling my eyes.“Are you serious?It’s done?”
He nodded, and the hand that wasn’t busy loving on Orange cupped one of my cheeks.“Let me in,ipo.”
I dazedly stepped to the side.His hand dropped, and my cheek tingled as if he’d left a permanent print on it.
Orange led the way inside, his tail wagging a hundred miles an hour.Vance didn’t hesitate to follow, closing the door behind him as if he was planning to stay.
Leading him into the kitchen, we dodged toys and clothes.Orange was doing his best to get more pats by bumping into us, pushing us so close that we were forced to stop.The hairs on my nape stood up from feeling Vance’s eyes on me, and I turned around.Once Orange realized we were too busy staring at each other, he jumped up on the couch with a huff.
“Do you want something to drink?I have coffee, tea, water, or wine.There might also be a beer or two somewhere that Thad left behind when he was here with Malena to fix my kitchen sink.I was actually about to look for some tequila, so if I find some, that’s on offer too.”
I walked to the fridge but turned around when he didn’t answer.
