Page 34 of From Nowhere

“Let’s do that thing.” He continues to stuff yard waste into the bag.

“What thing?”

“The single-roommates-handshake contract.”

“I’m lost, Will.”

“If both of us are still single in, say ... two years, we marry each other.”

I scan his face, looking for a hint of amusement. “Are you serious?”

He shrugs. “Sure. Why not? I’m good looking, and you’re decent. We understand each other’s careers and the risks that come with them.I mean, before long, it will just be the two of us living here until I find new roommates. It will basically feel like we’re married anyway, minus the sex.”

I survey the yard, tugging off my gloves. “I’ve been thinking about getting my own place.” When my attention returns to Will, I wrinkle my nose. “We know I haven’t been living here out of financial necessity. I just don’t like living alone; this place makes me feel close to Brandon. But when I invited Ozzy, the guy who’s ghosting me, over to the house, I realized how rare it is to have that opportunity. I have to find a night when my other roommates are gone.”

“Go to his place instead,” Will says.

“He has a daughter, and his deceased wife’s parents live with him.”

Will narrows his eyes and tilts his head.

“It’s complicated and beside the point. I don’t know if I’ll have a second date with him, but it got me thinking about my life, age, and financial situation. Then Fitz and Jamie’s announcement that they’re looking for a house nudged me further into realizing I need to grow up. I’m not a young woman anymore. And this house is paid for. You don’t need us here either.”

Will rests a hand on his hip and momentarily gazes at the sky. “Without roommates, women will expect me to bring them here, and I can’t sneak out of my own house at four in the morning.”

I cough a laugh. “You are terrible. And you’re going to die a bachelor.”

He squints in my direction. “Not if you marry me.”

“Yeah, about that ... it would feel like marrying my brother, if he were still here. The ick factor is too big to overcome.”

Will frowns.

Tapping my finger on my chin, I narrow my eyes. “Back before Fitz and Jamie got engaged, wasn’t that doctor interested in you?”

Will quickly busies himself with picking up the trimming tools while he mumbles, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You do. What’s her name? She’s the prodigy. You know, the one who became a doctor before she could legally drink? And I’m pretty sure she credited you with taking her virginity.”

“Everleigh was inmedical schoolbefore she turned eighteen. How the fuck was I supposed to know?”

I cover my mouth and giggle while Will’s face reddens with frustration. “Everleigh.So you do remember her. That’s a great name, by the way. Oh, Reichart. That’s her name. Dr. Everleigh Reichart.”

“We’ll do the backyard tomorrow,” he says, changing the subject.

I roll the top of the yard bag. “I wonder if she’s still single. I bet Jamie would know. I’ll ask her for you.”

“Speaking of ick factors.” Will inspects me through slitted eyes, but it only makes me laugh harder, so he stomps toward the garage, mumbling a few expletives.

Chapter Ten

Ozzy

“Race you to the top!” Lola bolts to the right as we climb the stairs to the M Trail by the university. Brynn used to hike the trail over her lunch break and sit on the edge of the giant hillside M to eat her sandwich with a beautiful view of Missoula. It’s a steep hill with many switchbacks, but Lola barely loses her breath, and I don’t break a sweat.

Riding our bikes and walking everywhere for two years has whipped us into good shape. Victoria, Lola’s therapist, likes to remind me of that when I feel the need to pull her aside and complain about Lola’s slow progress and the ridiculousness of biking everywhere, even in the winter.

What do you think people did before they had cars?she said.

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