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“Perfect.”

Later that night, I curled up on the bed, the new sheets I had bought slightly rough but serviceable. I hadn’t bought a blanket. The room was too warm for anything but a sheet. I did get a fan, which I had outside on the landing blowing the air my way, but the air conditioner wasn’t very cool. I suspected it was going to be a long, hot few months. The pillows were comfortable enough. My phone rang, and I knew it was Matthew returning my earlier call.

“Hi,” I mumbled.

“Hey. Turn on your camera. I want to see your beautiful face.”

I did, and he filled my screen. “Hi, sweetheart. You look tired.”

“It’s been a long day.”

“Are you more settled?”

“I’m good. I met three of the girls. We had dinner and chatted. Worked on a bathroom schedule.”

He grinned. “Fun.”

“There’s a cute little grocery store not far from here. Jill said the school is about a fifteen-minute walk away. Lots of interesting restaurants and stuff around. Close to the transit.”

“Good.”

“How is the hospital?”

“Busy. Some stupid block party and things got out of hand. The waiting room is full of idiots who thought they could jump off a roof into the pool below as a group. We have broken arms, legs, some head trauma. People,” he said with a huff.

I hummed.

“Is your room warm?”

“It’s okay.” I didn’t tell him I wasn’t sure how it was going to feel when it was really hot and I couldn’t have my door wide open for the coolish air to get in. “I’ll get used to it.”

I heard his name called behind him.

“Damn,” he swore.

“Go be a doctor. I’m going to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day.”

“Okay. I love you.”

I winked. “Good.”

He laughed. “Tell me.”

“I love you.”

“Sleep well, Maddy.”

Matthew

I waited until I finished my shift and called Aiden the next morning. With the three-hour time difference, I knew he would have been awake long before I called. He answered quickly.

“Matthew.”

“Aiden,” I greeted him. “Thanks for picking up Maddy.”

“Not an issue. I enjoyed meeting her. She’s pretty. Funny.”

“She is.” I took a deep breath. “How bad is the house? Her room?”