Great advice. I just stare at her. I’m not going to confirm or deny anything.
“She’s moving in upstairs,” Buddy says, wiping his hands on a towel. “Doors open.”
“Buddy!” Lucy reprimands.
He just shrugs. “It’s not exactly a secret. Besides, Winnie has it almost as bad for him as he has it for her. It’s written all over both of their faces.”
I rush toward the door. The stairs to the apartment are in the back of the building. “Thanks, Buddy! I’d kiss you if I wasn’t in such a hurry!”
“Don’t even think about it,” he tells me.
Running up the exterior steps, I throw open the apartment door. It’s empty except for a rolling suitcase, a bag of dog food, and a blanket.
Plus Winnie’s lamp, returned. With every inch of the base covered in turquoise rhinestones. It’s more fitting for Graceland than a small apartment in Kentucky.
But it’s definitely a statement.
That was fast work on Lucy’s part. Goes to show how the town has already taken a shine to Winnie.
I hear voices on the stairs.
A minute later Winnie appears in the doorway, carrying a box. She draws up short.
Two teen boys make sounds of protest. Which is fair, considering they’re carrying a mattress.
“Ian.”
“Winnie.” I reach out and take the box from her. “We need to talk.”
She sighs, her shoulders slumping. “You’re right.” She moves out of the doorway and the boys bring in the mattress. “Just put it against this wall.” She gestures. “Then can you get the table next? Thanks, guys.”
“Sure.” They prop the mattress against the wall and eye me with curiosity. Then they head back out, their shoes pounding on the steep stairs.
“Where’s Barrel?” I ask.
“With the girls from the glee club. They have him firmly on a leash and far away from corn dogs.”
“Good.” I nod. Then, “I think I told you I have a twin brother,” I say, because I have to start somewhere and I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling.
Winnie’s eyebrows shoot up. “I don’t think you did. Just that you have brothers.”
“Well, I do. He’s my identical twin and he’s totally different from me. Opposites, really. The thing is, that’s part of why he and I can be so close. Because we’re not alike at all. So we complement each other. I keep him from doing anything really stupid and he keeps me from being way too serious. He’s my best friend.”
Winnie doesn’t say anything. She just stares at me, waiting for me to make my very roundabout point.
I clear my throat. “This morning I woke up thinking you have a way of making me lose all common sense. And how dangerous that could be. But it’s the opposite of that.” I reach out and take her hand in mine. “I love spending time with you and I want to know everything about you. I want to grow bigger with you, embrace who we both are, together. I want to be with you if you’re willing to give me and my way too fucking tidy life a chance.”
“Ian.”
“Yes?”
“There’s no mic and you don’t need to make a speech.”
She’s smiling though, and rocking on her heels forward, closer to me. I take it as a good sign. I draw her up, wrapping my arms around her.
“But I’m obviously really good at it.”
Winnie laughs softly. “I already made my mind up that I want to be with you.”
