It’s hard to argue with that kind of logic. “Yeah, we’ll work on it.” Not a firm commitment, but at least I can try. Maybe recommend a book or two that I think he’ll like. That would be a good start.
“And I know I’ve already asked a lot of you, but if you had a job…”
Technically? No, but I can always use help. Most of the people I hire are seasonal workers, brought in specifically to helpwith the rush from November to January when the town gets hundreds of tourists.
“Forget it. I’m sorry. You’re already doing so much.”
“I can look at the budget. There’s always stuff that needs doing.” Away from customers. He’s far too grumpy to deal with the patrons. I have a reputation to maintain. One thatcannottake a month of salty Chase chatting up the customers.
“Seriously? You’re such a lifesaver. You know you’re always an honorary member of my family, right? We’d have you over for any holiday.”
“Thanks.” It’s not possible because major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas fall during the busy season. It’s nice to be wanted somewhere. I’m invited to my parents’ place, of course, but it’s not the same. At least not since I jumped off the life path they put me on.
“Hey, I’ve got to get moving. I need to go open the shop.”
“Okay, give Chase a big hug for me.”
Yeah, not doing that. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I stand in the middle of my home library. It’s really an office, but calling it a library makes it sound way more interesting. It takes the sting off when I spend late nights in here organizing receipts for my taxes. This house is so much a part of my family history. My great-aunt left it to me, which was an incredible gift. That, plus some money, is the reason I was able to follow my dream.
Not that it’s all been easy. This house is old. Which is great, except when it’s not. Old things need a lot of TLC and expensive parts. Keeping everything as true to the time it was built as possible is important to me, but it comes at a high price.
What I need is for everything to hold itself together for a few more months. I look over at the radiator. The heating system in this place is running on fumes. And complicated, considering ithasn’t been updated in the last fifty years. A new heating pump will cost tens of thousands of dollars. I have the money, but it’s been set aside for other projects.
It’s part of the reason why I want to rent out the second floor of the shop. A little extra padding to cover some of the bigger financial concerns that come up at home or at the store.
Having Chase here is delaying that income slightly. If I’m being honest, I probably wouldn’t be ready for a tenant for another couple of months. The place is in good shape, but it needs a little more work before it’s ready to hit the market. Real renters, the kind that pay, expect a certain level of service.
Fuck. There’s so much to do and not enough hours in the day. Maybe I could use help at the shop. I’ve been running on fumes for the past few months, trying to do everything myself. If Russ, someone who hasn’t even seen me in person lately, has noticed, then it’s getting out of hand.
5
NIX
Isent Chase a message asking him to come see me when he got a chance. Honestly, I have no idea what he does all day. I’ve never managed more than two days off in a row without going completely stir crazy. It’s none of my business how Chase spends his time. Not really. Even if I’m a bit overly curious.
Some people would call it nosy, but I choose to believe it’s part of being a good friend. Which we aren’t. Yet. But Russ had a point. We could both use a friend.
Wow. If I could go back and tell the thirteen-year-old version of myself that someday we’d berealfriends with Chase…well, needless to say, it would’ve been a dream come true. Of course, he’d want to know why the two of us didn’t end up falling madly in love.
Ah, teenage dreams.
“You wanted to see me?” Chase appears in front of the checkout stand, wearing yet another pair of those teeny tiny shorts. Apparently, they come in multiple colors and patterns.
“Hey, Chase. How’s the apartment working out?” I force myself to keep my eyes fixed on his face. If I don’t look, then they can’t bother me.
“It’s great. Thanks again.” He shoves his hands into his pockets. They can’t possibly be big enough to hold anything of value, yet he’s somehow managed to fit the majority of his fist in there. “I’ve been meaning to check with you about a couple of things.”
“Shoot.” Having an honest tenant check the place out and provide feedback that isn’t publicly available on the rental website is perfect.
“First, I need the wi-fi password.” He pauses for a second before a look of pure terror crosses his face. “You do have wi-fi here, don’t you?”
It’s too easy. “Well, the town did finally get together and get an internet cable installed in town, but it only works at City Hall. You can go there anytime…well, between ten and two on Mondays and Wednesdays. It’s really fast, too. I even managed to use it to watch a video. Have you heard ofYouTube?”
“I…you’re messing with me, right?” He narrows his eyes, but I can see the panic across his face.
