Page 13 of Undeniably Perfect

Di: Seriously? The family chat.

Mother Hen: Jesus H – gonna need more deets than that

Kyles: Wait, what?

C-Dog: Nice...the old “but her place burned down” excuse...savvy. I like ur style!

Me: Mom – I’ll call you tomorrow. I’m tired. Di – (middle finger emoji) Lanie – it’s a LONG story. Ky – explain at family dinner. C-Dog – Don’t make me beat you!

I set my phone down, letting them all respond because I know I just can’t at this moment. Sometimes, my family is overwhelming even for me.

“Jeez, your phone is blowing up,” Tabitha says as she comes back into the family room.

I roll my eyes. “It’s my family. Just ignore them.”

I see something spark in her eyes, but she looks down and goes to throw out the paper towels she’s holding.

“Sorry about all the mess.”

“No worries. It looks good.”

She turns around. “Thanks,” she mumbles, looking down again.

She clears her throat. “I will be out of your hair in a few days. I spoke with my landlord and insurance company. I just need to sort out a few things. My landlord said there’s a space available in a few weeks. My brother has a place in the city, too. I will probably just crash at his apartment since he’s gone.”

Her words nearly ram into each other as she speaks in one breath.

I walk over to her and place a hand on her shoulder. She looks up at me, her face a mix of defiance and courage that is nothing short of the picture of resilience. I don’t know much about Tabitha Crane, but she’s strong, that I can already tell.

“You are more than welcome to stay here as long as you need.”

“I…thank you, Kent, but I don’t want to be a bother.”

I frown. “You aren’t a bother at all.”

She places her hands on her hips and looks at me. “I just painted your bathroom red, so red you thought I had murdered someone.”

I chuckle. “OK, so I’m not used to living with someone. It’s been a hot minute since I was surrounded by a bunch of sisters who beat me into submission.”

Tabitha tries to contain her giggle, but it escapes anyhow. Her face lights up with humor and I want to keep that look on her face. “Your sisters beat you?” Her eyes move up and down my body and I know what she’s thinking.

“Yes. I wasn’t always this size.”

“I should hope not.”

I grin and look down at my watch. It’s late, and I need to get some sleep.

“I have three games in a row this week, but after that, I’d like to take you somewhere. I mean, if you aren’t busy.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “You want to take me somewhere?”

I throw my hands into the air in surrender. “I swear I’m not a serial killer.”

She gives me a pointed look. “Sure. That’s what all the serial killers say.”

“OK, there were those three girls, but I swear, I joined serial killers anonymous and it’s been months.”

“Great. Glad to hear you are a reformed serial killer.”

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