Page 71 of Stay With Me

When she says goodbye and hangs up the phone several seconds later, she takes a deep breath and looks up at me.

“I got a cash offer on the house. Over asking price.”

Why isn’t she more excited?

“Em, that’s great. I’m happy for you.”

“Yeah. But I have to be out in two weeks.” Her eyes are as large as saucers and I’m speechless. That’s hardly any time. “I haven’t found a new place yet, so that’s a problem. But I could sleep on the couch at Shay’s or Trina’s until maybe I find a short-term rental while I keep looking.” She’s rambling, so I know she’s nervous. “And I could get a storage unit for?—”

“Stay with me.”

“What?”

I don’t know what made me suggest it, but I don’t regret it. And I realize I really want her to say yes.

“Stay with me, Em.”

“Charlie, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking, I’m offering. I have the extra bedrooms, and we spend so much time together, anyway. It makes sense.”

She glues her eyes to mine. “You’re being serious.”

I chuckle. “Yes, I’m being serious. Say yes.”

“You’re sure?” she asks quietly.

I nod. I didn’t listen to my gut years ago to tell her I thought Teddy wasn’t right for her. I’m sure as shit going to listen to it now. And it’s telling me she should stay with me.

She grins. “Okay, yes. I guess we’ll be roomies while I house hunt.”

CHAPTER27

EMILY

Annie, Shayna, and I observe from the bottom of Charlie’s steps that lead to the second floor, while Jack and Ben wrestle one of my queen size mattresses up the stairs. In their defense, it’s one of those foam mattresses that adjusts to your weight and it’s really heavy.

“Hell, Em. Did you have to pick the hottest day in July to move?” Jack teases. He wipes his brow on the shoulder of his T-shirt while they’re taking a break halfway up the stairs.

“Hey,” Annie scolds him, “don’t be mean to my friend.”

“Yeah, and July second isn’t the hottest day. Usually it’s July eighteenth,” Shayna adds.

Jack and Ben are attempting to hoist the mattress further up the stairs now. “Seriously, how do you know so much useless information?” Ben grunts out.

Before Shayna can respond, a blast of scorching air hits our backs as the front door opens. Trina walks in and sets a box on the floor. “You need me to get your end, Benjamin?” Her tone is teasing, but not sarcastic like she usually is with him. And she’s got a devilish grin as she watches them struggle.

Shayna stealthily glances in my direction, meeting my gaze, and raises a curious eyebrow while making a kissy face behind Trina’s back. She clearly notes the difference in Trina’s treatment of Ben, too.

I subtly shrug my shoulders and hold in my laughter.

“You’re hilarious. It’s easy for you ladies to judge when you’re sitting pretty down there with your boxes of towels to carry.” Ben feigns offense and we all laugh, even Trina.

“Hey, less talking and more lifting, bro.” Jack complains. Even from my spot below him, I can see sweat trickling down Jack’s left temple.Gross.

“Isn’t he so hot?” Annie asks, not really directing the question at any of us in particular.

“Thanks, babe,” Jack calls out to her.

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