Eventually I need to figure out how to make her mine… or let her go.
I feel a buzz from my phone which is weird because the only two people who text me are upstairs. Miles must be letting Maisie peer around since it’s a text from him.
Miles
I saw the way you were looking at her, when you’re done, take the rest of the day off to plan that date you had and the house is yours for the night.
Be safe but don’t leave any “safety” behind or you’re sleeping in the truck.
I laugh at his second text but also shocked that he’s giving me the house to be able to spend time with Maisie. Whether or not we do what he’s implying, it’ll be nice for it to be just us two, existing with one another.
Thank you.
I’ll make sure to dispose of the condoms on your bed.
Miles
Keep it to yourself.
Why? My kids want to meet their daddy’s best friend?
Miles has notifications silenced.
38
MAISIE
“Miles actuallyspoketo you?” Wren gasps while sipping her water bottle as we float on the lake. “As in more than two words?”
We finally have another day off together and decided to take in the hot summer day like old times.
“I was just as shocked as you are but I think he felt… I don’t know… comfortable around me?” I try to put my thoughts into words but it doesn’t come out quite correct. “Maybe it’s because he doesn’t know me well so he doesn’t have to worry about being judged,” I say. “Or maybe it’s because of Henry, so he knows he can trust me.” I lay back and take in the sun that’s shining down on us. “He had me help him with some interior ideas for the Inn. I think he had some thoughts he needed to get out too because he opened up about some love life stuff.”
“Oh? Anyone we know?” Wren asks.
“I don’t think so, I think he just needed to get it off his chest.” When I was helping him at the Inn, he briefly told me about Jo. After our initial heartfelt conversation outside I think he felt comfortable talking to me about the situation. He didn’t go into much detail, just that he’ll make sure Henry doesn’t hurt me theway he hurt Jo. “He also had a one on one talk with me about Henry.”
“The man of few words sure has a lot to say.” Wren nods and takes a sip from her water bottle. “What’d he have to say about Henry?”
“Remember our talk a bit ago about just letting go and not thinking too much about the future?” She nods, so I keep going. “Basically he sees the way we are with each other and doesn’t want us to let it go just because of Henry leaving.”
“Thank God,” she rolls her eyes, “someone else sees it.”
I laugh. “What do you mean?”
“I’m happy someone else besides me and your mom see what you two have. It’s something special, almost like you’re twins but minus the incest part.”
“Wren!” I splash water at her with my foot and laugh.
“I’m not one to yuck someone’s yum about kinks if you’re into that, but maybe don’t be.” She wipes the water off her face. “Anyway, you two make me believe the invisible string theory istruebecause how do two people from different parts of the world?—”
“Wren… we live in Washington. Saying ‘the world’ is a bit dramatic,” I cut her off.
“Let me be dramatic. Like I wassayingbefore I was rudely interrupted… How do two people from different parts of theworldend up in a town of less than 7,000 people and have this instant attraction?”
“Well, his cousin lives here so…”
It’s her time to splash me. “I need you to see the vision that we all see of you and Henry! An invisible string led him here foryouand you can’t convince me otherwise! I might need to tighten that string around your neck so you can finally see it.”
