Page 82 of Soft Tissue Damage
I have to stifle a laugh and lead her toward the living room. “I’ve put out some snacks for us in here.”
We hear a smash and the sound of glass breaking from the kitchen. When we hurry to the door to see what happened, Cullan is standing by the open freezer door with the broken bottle of vodka at his feet.
“I’m so sorry, Justine. The bottle slipped out of my hand. I’ll pay you for it, of course. I wish I could offer you something else, but I don’t keep alcohol in the house. No, it’s okay. Keep away from this broken glass. I’ll clean it up.”
Justine looks disappointed that we can’t have a drink, but I don’t mind. Ten minutes later we have glasses of sparkling water, and I’ve spread out all the treats I’ve baked on the coffee table. There are music videos on the TV, and Cullan has disappeared upstairs.
“Elena, this is heaven,” Justine enthuses as she finishes a bite of a pastry puff. “Your cooking, this living room, that man upstairs. I’m so happy for you.”
I can tell from her smile that she means what she says, and it brings tears to my eyes. “Thank you for being happy for me.”
“What are friends for? But don’t get me wrong, I am also insanely envious,” she tells me with a wicked smile and reaches for another pastry puff. “Don’t worry, I’m motivated by envy. I’ll work twice as hard to get my ownlife in order. I’ve been putting things on my five-year plan.”
“Oh, yes?” I say in interest. “What’s your plan?”
She ticks things off on her fingers. “Finish my degree, get my foot in the door of some amazing company, and work my way up to the top so I can afford my dream life. You know, a bougie city apartment and a lifestyle of exciting travel and fashion. I just love new things all the time or I’ll get bored.” She looks at me. “And how about you, what’s your dream life? If this isn’t it already.”
“Oh, you’d be bored hearing me talk about my dreams,” I say with a laugh.
“No, I wouldn’t. I’ll be excited for you. Let’s plan our futures together.”
I think for a moment, gazing into my glass. “I think my dream life is more about feelings rather than milestones. I want a home that I miss when I have to leave. I want to hurry up the front steps because I can’t wait to see the people I love. I want to know that if I’m absent, they’re missing me. I want there to be so much happiness that it’sloud, you know, the whole house in uproar. Shouting,Don’t shout across the house!but everyone doing it anyway. I want to hear about everyone’s days over a lovely meal before we turn off the lights and go to bed.”
“That’s so much deeper than what I said. Can I have another go?”
I laugh and shake my head. “I love what you said. It’s perfect for you.”
“And yours is perfect for you.” She smiles at me. “It’s this house you want, isn’t it? This man and this family?”
“I do,” I say wistfully, and then add, “but I don’t want you to think I want this house because it’s beautiful and luxurious, or that I want Cullan because he’s well off. I would be happy in a little cottage as long as I have people who love me.”
“You’re worried I think you’re a gold digger? Have you seen this gorgeous man of yours and how sweet he is to you? If you weren’t falling for him, I’d think there was something wrong with you. Are you two… What are you? Have you defined it?”
I smile and feel myself turn bright red. “He’s called himself my boyfriend.”
Justine squeals, picks up a cushion, and wallops me on the thigh. “Oh, my God! When you get married, please, please, please can I be the maid of honor? I will be the best maid of honor in history. You won’t have to lift a finger for your bridal shower or on your wedding day. I’ll make sure everything is perfect.”
I laugh and cover my face. “Don’t jinx it. Let’s not get carried away.”
“Get carried away!” she exclaims.
Her exuberance is catching, but I’m hyperconscious that Cullan is in the house and Justine isn’t using her indoor voice. I hold my finger to my lips, and she nods and takes a deep breath.
“All right. I’m calm. I’m calm. But you’ve got to admit, this is so exciting.”
“Of course I do, but I’m taking it one day at a time.” I hug one of the sofa cushions to my chest. “For the first time in my life, I’m starting to feel like I’m home.”
A few nights later,Cullan has a poker game, and so I go to bed alone.
Sometime in the small hours of the morning, I half wake when Cullan gets in beside me and pulls me into his arms. His lips seek the nape of my neck, and we fall asleep like that. I half wake sometime later when he kisses me again and heads for the shower. The room is a little brighter, but it’s still early. I hear the rushing water and fall back asleep.
The next thing I know, I wake up and it’s broad daylight outside. I’ve slept until after nine in the morning, which is unusual for me. I wonder why Cullan didn’t wake me by eight-fifteen, which is when he leaves for work.
Then I remember that Cullan’s ex has Rosie, which means the house is quiet. I put on some music and make a pot of coffee. I think I’ll spend a few hours planning a two-week menu for the three of us and doing meal prep, and then I’ll read. Having Rosie try new foods and learning what she likes is my latest challenge.
I don’t get started right away because my stomach feels a little upset and my head is fuzzy, so I pour a large mug of coffee to ease me into the day.
As I sip it, I hear a rumbling noise from the laundryroom and open the door. There’s a load in the washing machine that looks like black clothing. Cullan must have put the washing machine on before going to work.
