Page 72 of Space Oddities

“Okay.”

“Great decision.” Smiling, Dr. Brown slides her pen from her ear. “Why don’t you start by telling me how you and Trish met.”

Finally, I smile.

* * *

Trish

God bless Rose West.

“So… this is where Captain America lives, huh?” Rose saunters past the kitchen island, eyes swinging one way then another, the empty duffle bag I gave her on her arm.

All I did was call and say I needed help packing up, and Rose was on her way. No questions, no explanation required.

I’d already hooked up my trailer to my truck while waiting for Rose to arrive. I was hoping to have everything hitched and halfway packed by the time she got here, but it took longer than I thought. It’s like my body won’t move with the urgency my heart is telling it to use.

“Yep.” I drop my keys in the dish on the way inside, stopping abruptly when I realize just how second nature the movement has become. How much like home Ian’s place feels.

Definitely time to go.

I’d hoped to have a few more nights with Ian before leaving, but his idea to take me to Germany altered that plan. He pushed for more than I could give. And now I need to get out.

“I gave security the heads-up that you’re coming.”

I nod, eyes still on the key bowl.

“So you’ll be good when you get to the gate.”

“Thank— wait, what?” Her words finally sink in. “What gate?”

“The ranch. Duh.” She rolls her eyes. “You didn’t think I’d just pack you up and send you out in the world all willy-nilly now, did you?”

“Willy-nilly?”

“Shut up.” Rose struts over, dumps the keys, and tucks the bowl into her empty duffle. “Point is, you’re going to the ranch.”

I’m in no position to say no, as my plan had been to camp out at some park until the wedding. The ranch is a vast improvement. “Thank you.” I frown at her duffle. “But why did you take the key bowl?”

“Why the fuck not? Seemed like you like it with how hard you were staring at it. And in my opinion, any woman who has to pack up and leave when the man isn’t around is probably entitled to a bit of his shit.”

“It really isn’t like that. I—”

“Didn’t you say time was of the essence?” Her boots thud on the wood floors as she walks toward the stairs.

“Uh, yes.” I scramble after her, feeling short in my sneakers.

She turns, shaking the duffel dangling from her hand. “Then let’s get your stuff and go.”

I follow her quick steps up the stairs.

* * *

“Girl.”Rose flops back on the bed, boots dangling off the edge. “For someone used to living in a small space, you have a mess of stuff. Lord knows how you’re going to get it all to fit back in your trailer.”

Usually the thought of magically putting everything in its place and making use of my amazing organizational skills that I’ve perfected in my years of trailer living makes me happy.

I am not happy right now.

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