Page 109 of Denim & Diamonds

I opened a third window and started googling information aboutwomen who left their careers behind for men they loved.I endedup in an online chat forum. A woman had posted about leaving her tech job to move across the country to be with her boyfriend, who happened to be a single dad. The end of the post simply said,wish me luck. The entry was dated last year.

Did she regret it? I typed into the comment section:Any update? How did it go? Are you still together?I knew I probably wouldn’t get a response, so I closed the screen and went about my evening.

A FaceTime call from Brock came in just as I was getting ready for bed.

“Hey, you,” I said in greeting.

“I wanted to thank you again for placing that order for me.”

I’d forwarded Brock the confirmation numbers, so he knew what he’d be receiving and could track the shipments.

“It was truly my pleasure,” I said, plopping down on my bed, stomach first.

“I don’t know if you could tell earlier when we were on the phone, but I was basically having a panic attack at the store. And you freaking saved me, Red.”

“I could see it in your eyes, Brock. No one should have to go through what you are, preparing for such a big life change with almost no notice.”

“You really sent me a lifeline today. I was able to go to the worksite and get a ton done because I wasn’t lost in that store, crippled by my fear, incapable of making simple decisions for the whole day.” He paused. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me again. I wanted to do it. It was kind of fun in a weird way. No matter what happens with us, if you ever need me, I’m here.”

Sadness crossed his face, but he shook his head, seeming to force himself out of the funk. “I moved some things around in my apartment. Wanna see?”

I moved to sit up against my headboard. “Show me.”

He turned the camera so I could see the room.

“Wow. The crib’s up?”

“I figured I’d put him in this corner.”

Then the camera panned up to the wall above where the baby would be sleeping.

My mouth dropped open. “Get that deer head off the wall near his crib!”

“What? I figured he’d like a furry friend watching over him.” Brock laughed. “No?”

“Are you kidding? He’ll wake up in the middle of the night, look at that thing, and think he’s having a nightmare!”

Brock chuckled as he continued the tour of his makeshift nursery.

“Where did you get that bureau?” I asked.

“I built it myself a few years ago. I’d had it in storage. I’m pretty bad at all the small things, but furniture? I’ve got that covered.”

“And the crib? You didn’t make that, did you?”

He shook his head. “Bought it. Pretty much the only thing I was sure I needed and didn’t require help with. I put it together yesterday.” He moved the phone toward the floor. “Check out this rug.”

It was a big fuzzy bear rug.

“A bear. Perfect. Fits in great with the rest of the décor.”

“I thought so.” He grinned.

“Might as well introduce him to taxidermy and bears young.” I chuckled. “You’ve gotten more accomplished than I imagined. Good job.”

“Talk to me when I’m trying to figure out how to use all that stuff you ordered. This furniture is the extent of my expertise.”

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