Page 66 of Unplanned Target

One Safe Harbor was more than happy to drain.

“And I have to think this has something to do with the payment for her care switching from self-pay.” Of course it has everything to do with that, and it enrages me. But rage doesn’t find a new place to put my mentally deteriorating mother. “Another thing I’m sure our attorney will be very interested to learn about.”

Susan continues trying to plead her case, but my brother is clearly done listening to her.

“Our lawyer will be in touch.” He disconnects the call then blows out a long sigh that finishes on a groan. “Fucking hell.”

“I know having her in Memphis probably wasn’t going to be the perfect arrangement since we’re both here, but I really wasn’t interested in trying to find somewhere to transfer her to.” I pick up my phone and shove it in my pocket. “I don’t even know where to begin looking.”

I actually don’t know if I can look. At this point, I’m very much under the impression it’s best for Allie and I to stay behind the walls surrounding Alaskan Security. And I’m fine with that. I’ve always been a homebody, and not having to do my own grocery shopping or mow my own grass has been pretty freaking nice.

One more reason I’m not in a hurry to go back to Memphis.

“I’ll look.” Tony waves a hand in my direction. “You’ve got to help Allie with school and figure out what’s going on with your work.”

“Thank you.” I know Tony and I can at times have a contentious relationship, but I do appreciate him taking this on. “If you find somewhere you think might be a good fit, let me know and I can try to figure out how to get her here and have the financing switched over.”

It’s going to be a logistical nightmare, but I have a feeling there are a lot of those in my future. Right now, Allie is doing a completely online program, but it is connected to her school in Memphis. If we make a permanent move, that will have to change too. Then there’s repairing my house and selling it. Changing my address and getting all my belongings from point A to point B.

Figuring out where in the hell point B is going to be.

“Am I to assume you will be moving to Nashville?” My brother sounds a little annoyed, but not judgmental.

It still irks me. “Aren’t you?”

“Of course I’m moving to Nashville. But I’m moving to Nashville for a job.” His lip curls. “You’re moving to Nashville for a man you barely know.”

And we’re right back where we started.

“Aren’t you the fucking pot calling the kettle black.” I lean both hands on the table, getting in his face. “You think I haven’t talked to Becca? Do you think I don’t know that you guys just reconnected?”

Tony looks genuinely shocked at my knowledge. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“It has to do with you being a hypocrite.” I straighten. “And if you can’t get over me being with Owen, then you’re about to have a real fucking miserable life, because that’s not changing.” It’s a pretty ballsy declaration considering we haven’t discussed what’s happening between us.

But I’m not sure we have to.

It almost feels weird to consider asking Owen what we are. Where he sees us going. Because he’s made it pretty freaking obvious.

Do I sometimes get a little freaked out and pretend I don’t see it? Yes. But not today.

Today I’m feeling balls to the wall about it. Today I’m done being scared and letting my brother act like he’s got any fucking say in who I want to be with.

And I want to be with Owen. Indefinitely.

Also, right now.

“I’ve gotta go.” I spin on one heel for the second time so I can march out of the room. If my phone rings, this time I’m ignoring it. I don’t care who it is or what they want.

Because I’m more worried about what I want.

And I want it this very second.

I race up the stairs and make a beeline for the room Owen and I sneakily share. At some point, I’m going to have to admit the full scope of what’s going on between us to my daughter, but that’s one more thing that will have to wait.

I rush through punching the code into the lock, screwing it up the first time before getting it right. Then I barge into the room, finding Owen towel drying his hair with a second swath of cotton wrapped around his waist just like the first night we spent together.

Perfect.