“Indeed, yes,” Nigel said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Chuck nodded.
I got water from the bathroom and put on the spare kettle I’d weaseled from Mom. As I busied myself with the mugs and tea bags, I could feel both their gazes boring holes in me. My eyebrow arching, I glanced over my shoulder, and they both smiled piously.
Hmm. I shook my head and poured the boiled water into the cups but added nothing else since both preferred it black and sugarless. “Why the drilling stares?” I teased.
“Because not many youngsters will give up their summer vacation for people like us,” Chuck muttered.
“That’s not true. There are young people out there who do.” I handed a steaming mug to Nigel and set Chuck’s on the small table near his bed. I didn’t understand how anyone could not visit their elder relatives. So, I didn’t blame him for his bitter comment. At least they’d gotten him a decent place to live.
I straightened the bed covers and tidied up the small room.
“Perhaps,” Chuck muttered after a long silence as he stared outside.
Nigel remained silent and sipped his tea, watching us.
Blowing out a wheezy breath, Chuck turned and carefully lowered onto the bed, then he took his tea.
“So. What shall we read today?” I asked, trying to inject some cheer into the melancholic air. “Horror, thriller, or romance?” I tacked on the last one and waggled my eyebrows.
Chuck snorted, and Nigel grinned. “Romance, eh? Maybe in a few days. For now, how about this?” He picked up Stephen King’sMisery. It was one of my favorite books.
I frowned, studying him. Despite his smile, Nigel appeared tired, his skin drawn tight over the bones of his face. “You okay?” I asked him. “Shall I call someone to pick you up?”
“Good Lord, no.” He grimaced. “I escaped home for some peace.”
“Sit, talk to us.” Chuck waved me to the chair, putting an end to that conversation. “I’ll read later. I’d much rather talk to you, girl.”
“Yes, indeed,” Nigel added. “It’s far more exciting.”
“My life’s not that exciting,” I murmured. “It’s hectic for sure, but I like it.” I sat on the other wicker chair opposite the bed.
“What do you mean?” Chuck demanded, peering at me. “There’s no young man waiting for you?”
I swallowed a groan at the repeated question. “Nope. I don’t have time for relationships. I have one more year of uni to go.”
“You just haven’t mettheone,” Nigel insisted. “I met my Emily when I was twenty-one, and I knew she was it.”
“That’s wonderful, Nigel. But life was different when you were young. Today, it’s crazy town out there. You have to kiss many cheating or abusive frogs. And only if you’re lucky enough, you’ll find him amidst the chaos. If I findoneman like my dad or like you, Nigel,” I added with a smile, “then maybe I’ll change my mind. Right now? I can’t see that happening. Most are dirtbags, the few good ones are already taken, and the rest are gay.”
Both men watched me with worried faces. You’d think I’d told them I had a fatal disease. Well, I did, in a way. Men. But I couldn’t say that to these old darlings.
So, I conceded. “I want someone who’ll go all out for me. Someone who sees only me, puts me first…” At their wide-eyed stares, I gave up. “It’s really lovely outside, a wonderful day for the beach, don’t you think?”
“Yes.” Nigel nodded vigorously, appearing happy to change the subject. “What do you plan for summer?”
I shrugged. I didn’t mention the wedding because Ila and Max preferred their privacy given who Max was. “The usual. We have the summer festival coming up in Millbrae, my hometown. I volunteer there since it’s for charity. And I have work—”
“Yes, the bar,” Chuck said. “The Mission district is no place for a young girl at night.”
I wanted to roll my eyes. “My dad taught my sister and me self-defense so we could protect ourselves.”
Nigel frowned as he sipped more tea. “Still, you should find something in a safer area.”
I didn’t tell them just how difficult it was with every other student out there looking for jobs. Or the rejection mail I got this morning.
“Until something better comes my way, I’ll be fine.” I smiled.
