Page 21 of Finding Home
“You should do it,” she says, and my head jerks back.
“What do you mean I should do it? I should just move in with some strange man and his daughter because he offered?”
She shrugs. “He can’t be that strange if you slept with him the first night you met him. Also, you know Chief Reid wouldn’t have agreed to retire if he didn’t think Chief Lawson would be a perfect fit to take over his position. If Chief Reid trusted him, I trust him.”
I sigh. “That doesn’t mean I should move in with him.”
“It’s a win-win situation. You’ll be getting something you need from the situation. Unless you want to move back with your parents? You know if I was on my own, I’d offer, but…it just won’t work.”
“I know, Brin.” I pat her arm. “I guess you’re right, but I’m going to need to set some boundaries.”
I dig back into my ice cream and look back at her. “What brought you over anyways?” I ask.
“Dad came home.”
I nod, not needing any more explanation than that. Brinley and I have been best friends since we were little kids. Brinley, Aspen, Lennon, and I have been thick as thieves since we all met. We’ve all been there for the ups and downs. We were Lennon’s bridesmaids when her and James got married.
I pass the ice cream back to her, and we settle on my couch and watch a movie. When the credits start, we both crash in my bed.
I’m slightly anxious the next morning as I get ready for students to be dropped off. Everett’s not working today, which means he’ll be the one dropping off Lila. Students slowly trickle in, most calling a quick hi to me before going to find their friends.
When Lila arrives, she comes straight to me. “Hi, Miss M.”
“Good morning, Miss Lila.”
She grins up at me before turning and making her way to her cubby then settling at her spot with a book. I look up and see Everett standing beside my desk. He’s quiet, not saying anything. I feel his eyes all over me, as if they could tell just from looking at me if I’ve made my decision on his offer.
He tips his chin, and as he turns to leave, I call out, “Chief Lawson.” He stops and turns back to me. “I haven’t fully made my decision yet, but I’d like to talk about it more.”
That seems to give him some hope as the corner of his mouth twitches. He doesn’t smile, but it’s enough to have me smiling back at him.
“Coffee after work?” he asks.
“Sounds good.”
I go through my day trying not to think about talking with Everett later, but I can’t push it from my mind. I’m a mix of excited and completely freaking out that I’m actually considering this. I know moving in with him is an insane idea. Being sexually attracted to him and living under the same roof is going to lead to bad things, but I’m an adult. I can behave like one. I can make sure it all stays strictly professional.
Right?Right?
I don’t know if I’m convincing myself of this.
When Everett shows up at the end of the day, he offers me a cup of coffee from Grounded Bliss, and we walk out to the playground so Lila can play and we can chat. I take a seat on one of the benches, and he sits beside me, his knee slightly brushing mine as he does.
I inhale sharply at the contact. Something about being this close to him has my skin feeling electric. If I closed my eyes, I’d still be able to sense him. To know he’s right beside me, within touching distance.
He leans forward, bracing his forearms on his thighs as he claspshis hands and tilts his head towards me. “So, you wanted to talk,” he says.
“Yeah. If we’re going to do this…thing, I want to make sure we’re on the same page. I don’t want anything misconstrued.”
He nods. “Okay. You seem to already have thoughts on the matter. What are they?”
“You said I could do whatever I want with the room. What am I supposed to do on the days you’re off and at home? Am I expected to remain in my room or leave the house?”
He shakes his head. “No, of course not, Chloe. If we do this, it’ll be your place, too. You’d be doing me a huge favour in watching Lila, I’m not going to sequester you to your room or make you leave. We can be adults and respectful of each other.”
I run my hands up and down my thighs. “Okay. How do you see this going?”
“I thought you’d move in as soon as you’re able to. Then we could get settled in the start of a routine. I think Grandma will continue to take Lila until she has her surgery. After that, I’d need you to take her. Then we’ll need to see how it all goes.”
