It’s not until I’m outside walking around the block that I return my missed call.
“Jude! I just left you a message.”
“Yeah, sorry I was a bit tied up at the moment.”
“I just want to confirm tomorrow’s still good for delivery of the LeSabre. Your place?”
“Yeah, I’ll let the front staff know to expect it. You can leave the keys with them, and I’ll have the payment ready like we discussed.” My words come out smoothly, but inside my gut twists with unease. Everything is about to change and I don’t want it to. Rachel will get her car and she’ll move back to her crummy apartment. I won’t get to see her smile every day. Share meals together, or fuck. My life is about to go back to normal, and instead of being happy, I dread it.
“Good, good,” Mark says. “I’ll probably have one of my guys drop it off early, before the shop gets busy—about five or six. That okay?”
“That works. Thanks again for keeping it there an extra week.” It’s the only thing that feels right about this situation. This week with Rachel allowed us to grow closer. To become friends, not just lovers. Shit. I’m being a big baby. So Rachel gets her car back, that doesn’t change the most important thing, her and I, together.
“Not a problem. Whatever you need, I’m happy to help.”
Help. That’s why I did this in the first place. It’s why I had to keep this from Rachel, and why she can’t find out. She won’t accept my money or the things I can provide her, not if she views it as charity. Maybe that’ll change in time, but for now this is better. I’ll pay for the repairs and we can move forward building a relationship—something real—and a future full of love. I shake off the negative feelings and decide to view tomorrow as the start of the next phase of our relationship.
“Come on, Walter.” I call him back from the planter he’s sniffing. “Let’s get back to our girl.”
44
Rachel
It’s early Monday morning when my eyes snap wide open. I check the time on my phone, worried for a moment I’ve slept through my alarm, but my nerves calm when I realize I have another two hours to get to work.
Today is the day. My car should be ready, and as much as I love Iron Maiden, I am going to miss commuting with Jude. I glance over and watch as his chest rises and falls with easy breaths. I can’t believe he’s mine. I can’t believe we’re here—together—after everything that’s happened the past two weeks. I couldn’t have survived it without him.
Apprehension fills my chest when I think of moving back to my apartment. As much as I’d like to avoid that confrontation, I need to talk to my roommates. Rent is due tomorrow, so once I get my car I’ll head over after work. It’ll be different, living apart from Jude, but I have no doubt we’ll make it work. Besides, I’m certain I’ll still be spending many overnights at his place.
An idea pops into my head. Glancing at his sleeping form, I slip from the bed, careful not to wake him as I head into the bathroom with a pile of clean clothes. Jude’s done so much for me, and I want to show him my appreciation. I’ve been meaning to cook for him; a breakfast would be the perfect surprise.
He’s still sleeping soundly, and I smile to find Walter has stolen my spot on the bed. I don’t want to wake Jude, not when he appears so relaxed, and I don’t feel comfortable borrowing his SUV without asking. There’s a market nearby, and if I hurry, I’ll be there and back with plenty of time to whip up a quick breakfast before work. I’ll just splurge on an Uber. The surprise will be worth it.
I grab my bag, the extra set of keys and my wallet inside, and head down to the lobby. The morning holds the gift of a new day, and my good mood can’t be soured, not even by a Monday. I wave at the security guard, a bounce in my step and permanent smile in place. I glance out the wall of windows and stop when I notice Iron Maiden in all her beastly glory pull up to the curb. Damn, I missed her.
The driver comes inside and offers me a smile as he approaches the security desk. “Delivery for a Mr. Lawrence.”
“Yes, he said to expect the car.” The security man hands over an envelope. “Mr. Lawrence left this for you. It’s the payment in full. Cash as requested.”
There’s something about the mention of a paid bill that shoots a line of unease through my positive disposition. I should let it go. Jude and I haven’t really discussed it, but I assumed his mechanic would send me the bill. The fact arrangements have been made and discussed without me after I’ve spent every moment of the past forty-eight hours in Jude’s presence bothers me most. He would have brought it up, right?
I shake off those worries, along with a wave of shame for even thinking Jude has any reason to lie or be deceitful. He’s nothing like my exes. Those suspicious ideas would never have crossed my mind before Ethan. I won’t allow my past to shadow my future. Besides, I’m sure there’s a perfectly good reason why he never brought it up this weekend. Namely, we were too busy screwing like rabbits.
“Thank you.” The driver of my Iron Maiden tips his ball cap. “You have a good day.”
“You too.” The security guard smiles, then turns his back, my car keys in hand.
Pulling out my phone
