Page 145 of Every Chance After

All three men run their hands over their heads sheepishly.

Leaving the rest to run the store, Wade takes us to The Marshes to tour the trailers available to rent. A wide dirt road leads into the woods, flanked by trailers on each side, starting with Wade, Roy, and Christie’s. Though somewhat dated, the homes are clean and well-maintained. An older couple waves at us from their screened-in front porch. Children Tilly’s age wobble on bikes up and down the lane. A family hangs wet beach towels on clotheslines as we pass. It’s a cozy, homey place tucked in and tidy.

Wade has a two and a three-bedroom to rent, but Mom’s quick to take the larger home.

“In case you ever need a place, Marnie,” she says, “and if you don’t, it’ll make a lovely craft room for Tilly and me. I make my own jewelry these days.” Her pink fingernails dance over a chunky beaded necklace in greens and pinks, matching her army green pants and delicate pink blouse. Mom has always been thrift-store chic.

It’s an adorable home, white with blue shutters and a screened porch ready for plants. It has a small side garden where Tilly wants to plant wildflowers to bring butterflies. Mom hands over the security deposit and first month’s rent, cash from a hot pink, zippered make-up pouch she’s always used to collect her tip money.

“Welcome to The Marshes,” Wade says, shaking her hand again.

While they discuss the place and make move-in arrangements, Grady pulls me to the pier for a little us-time before he returns to the clinic. Bessie loiters nearby, gently hovering over the water amid the green muck, eyeing us suspiciously. Last week, Wade spotted her egg den on the other side of the swamp. Soon, gator babies will fill the swampy nursery, just in time for our new decking.

“Will you move in with them?” Grady asks, tucking his hands into the pockets of his scrubs. “I mean, I get it since you just got them back. I mean, hopefully, they’ll stay. You know what’s best, and I support you. But I’m here, too. I’d love to live with you. We could have last night every night. So, my offer still stands, regardless.”

A giggle slips out of me over his obvious nervousness, and I blush over memories of last night. Waking under the hovering trees, the air cold but warm against him felt heavenly. Hereallywants me to live with him. Already. His strong and sudden commitment to me is such a weird feeling. A good feeling, though, that I’m enjoying with caution. Who doesn’t long to feel this wanted?

He steps closer, slipping his hands around my waist and nuzzling my forehead. “You and me, babe… how ‘bout it?” he hums, making me giggle again.

Then, he sways softly in a gentle dance before dipping me. “I promise music and chess every night.”

“Oh, Grady Tripp, I like the sound of it. What else will you promise me?”

“Homemade meals, coffee every morning, free animal care, and unlimited cat treats, of course.”

“Of course, but sometimes a girl likes flowers.”

“Oh, I’ll get you flowers. And braid your hair,” he says, snuggling against me. “And let you have the remote.”

I laugh. “You won’t mind my obsession with PBS and British TV?”

“Nope. I encourage it, especially if it wins us words likenumpty. As long as you’re okay with me, old-man drifting off to sleep watching nature shows.”

“Heck, no. I love it. Oh, Grady, we’re going to be the boringest couple ever,” I beam, leaning in for a kiss. “I can’t wait.”

“Is that ayesthen?” he asks, kissing me again.

All the romantic wheels turning in my head come to a sudden, squealing stop. “Um, it’s a maybe?”

His eyes squint, considering me. “Did I forget to mention all the amazing sex you could possibly want?”

“Oh, I know,” I chuckle. “It’s not that.”

“Tell me. What is it?” When I hesitate, he adds, “Truth.”

“Truth is, I have a month before I need to move, a month until I’ll probably be out of a job again,” I say, shoulders deflating. “I don’t want to rush. What if my next job is an hour away?”

“Then, you’ll commute,” he says sternly. “Or we’ll move somewhere else together.”

“It’s not just that. Leaving that cottage scares me.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s my home, Grady. That place has been my saving grace for a decade. First, it comforted me after Mom left. Then, it let me be myself, building me up when there was no one else to do it. Afterthatday, it was my safety net, my healing place. When I started at the G&G, all I had to do was look around my little place, and all I’d built to feel I could do anything. It’s hard, letting it go. Not because I don’t want to live with you. I’d pick living with you over Mom, of course. It’s just because… I don’t want to be without it.Yet.”

I fear I sound ridiculous, putting so much sentimental value in a tiny house. But for better or worse, it’s how I feel. That long chapter of my life is over—Imustleave. But is it wrong to extend the epilogue until the last possible minute?

He sighs. “I understand. Take all the time you need.”

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