I take another bite of the sweet cookie. “You know, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to.”
A sad look washes over his face. “I know, Charlie. But it feels like I can’t move on until I get a place of my own, ya know?”
I swallow, the cookie turning bitter. “I know. But the offer still stands.”
Brooks winks at me and it does funny things to my insides. “It’s why I love you so much, Charlie. Always thinking of others.”
I roll my eyes at him to mask the pain that he doesn’t mean those words. Well, he loves me as his best friend, but he’s notinlove with me.
“Yeah, yeah.”
I stand to go change into something different before cooking dinner, but Brooks stops me with a hand on my arm. “I’m serious, Charlie.”
“I know.”
Brooks pulls me into a hug, and it has me melting into a puddle. It’s quick. A thank you of sorts. I start spiraling. The pine scent of his body wash lingers with his laundry detergent. I can feel the hard muscles of his back under the soft cotton of his hoodie.
Fuck.
I’ve always been able to keep my feelings for Brooks in check. Home was my safe space. Sure, Brooks was always over here, but he always went home to his wife.
Now? Now, he’ll be here all the time. Twenty-four seven. I don’t know if I’m ready for that. If I’m ready for the full-on Brooks assault on all of my senses.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
Chapter Three
BROOKS
TRIFECTA OF SUCKAGE
The kitchen is spotless. Living room? You could eat off the floors. My bedroom? It would pass a drill sergeant’s test.
Laundry is done. Hell, I even did Charlie’s to try and pass the time.
But glancing at the time on my phone, it’s only a little after one in the afternoon. Even after eating lunch, everything is neat and tidy.
If I have no job, I at least want to be the best houseguest I can be for Charlie. Even if it means I’m now doom-scrolling on his couch.
I can’t help it.
Seeing all the happy posts people are uploading to social media has me spiraling. I shouldn’t be on the app, but what else is there to do?
Comet gave up on me sometime after lunch and went into my room to sleep. When I’ve lost my dog, I know it’s bad.
I don’t know how to pull myself out of this mood.
And then I see it.
A photo of Delia and Britney. I forgot Britney had this influencer account. Delia told me that if I followed her, it looked better for her and she’d get more free stuff.
Of course, Delia would go to the Caribbean over the holidays. She always hated that I made her wait until after Christmas.
Sue me for wanting to spend the month leading up to my favorite holiday in my own house. Sun and sand is not how I ever pictured spending my holiday. Snow, hot chocolate, and Christmas trees in my home was always how I spent it.
We always ended up going on my timeline, and maybe that’s what led to the downfall of our marriage. I didn’t compromise enough. We were two different people who wanted to lead two very different lives.
I loved being in the small town of Moose Falls, but for Delia, it was stifling. No matter what I did to show her how great it could be and the life we could have together, she didn’t want it.
