Page 86 of The Other Guy

Kyle laughs loudly.

“Let’s stop in at the bank before we go to Walmart for Toby’s things. We’ll make sure that you’re settled up there.”

“I still feel weird accepting it.”

“I know you do. But indulge an old guy, will ya? I’ve been waiting your entire life for this moment.”

I think while we put our coats on and walk back out into the frigid winter air. “I’ll only accept it if you promise me one thing.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask.”

“That you’ll be honest with me if you ever need it back.”

He looks at me and I slip my arm through his as we walk toward the bank. “Why would I need it back?”

“What if something happens?”

“I have insurance for anything I’d need. For any sort of emergency that would arise, I’m covered. And plenty of money in my own savings, too. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not exactly a spender. I’ve ran a successful business for over two decades and before that I had a job that paid me exceptionally well. I have no one to spend my money on aside from you, so why wouldn’t I do this?”

“I’ll only ask one more time and then I’m done. You’re sure, right? Like sure, sure?”

“Completely positive.”

I stop in the middle of the sidewalk and wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” he murmurs.

“Why now? You mentioned that you’ve had this for a while?”

“Let’s just say that I wanted to make sure you were settled first.”

“What’s that mean?” I ask as he opens the door to the bank.

Kyle blows out a breath and turns to face me, speaking quietly. “I didn’t trust Jeff. This money is yours, no one else’s to decide what to do with it. Jeff would have tried to dictate where you spent it.”

He’s right, though I wouldn’t have let him. But it would have caused problems between us for that very reason. I may have been compliant on things that I didn’t care about, like the way the house was decorated and what we had for dinner, but not on the important things. He wasn’t controlling, though when it came to money he always thought he knew more than me.

“Wow. I wish you’d have told me.”

“Wasn’t my place to interfere. If things progressed, I would have stepped in.”

“You’re really the best uncle a girl could ask for. I love you, Kyle.”

“I love you, too.” He claps his hands together and rubs them against each other. He looks so excited, it makes me excited, too. “Now, let’s go see what the bank needs since I was too scatter brained earlier to pay attention.”

I giggle and we march into the bank side-by-side.

And later that night, I realize that Kyle knows me better than I know myself. Rebecca and Mallory are absolutely lovely. Rebecca must have been incredibly young when she had Mallory’s mom because they look like they could be mother/daughter. Mallory and I get along great right from the start. She’s hilarious and like Kyle said, sarcastic, and fun to be around. We have a lot in common, too. While my online store sells pet clothes, hers sells baby and toddler clothes that she makes by hand. Before we leave the bar, we exchange numbers and make a plan to get together Saturday morning for brunch.

Brunch with a new friend. Something I haven’t done in ages.

A date with Jack (who accepted my friend request and — oh. my. gosh. — hearted my relationship status making me feel like a teenager again. yayyy! (the part about him liking my status, not feeling like a teen again.))

A store that wants to sell my clothes for pets. It’s always been a dream of mine that I never had the courage to speak out loud.

Life is definitely looking up.

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