Page 76 of Head Over Feels
Wasit selfish of me to be glad he’d insisted on coming upstairs with us?
Iunlocked the apartment door forAmyand the tech, who’d been introduced to me again but my brain still didn’t retain his name.Iwaited outside in the hall withMalcolm, who was only panting a little.IfI’dhad to go up the stairs using the method he did,I’dhave been a puddle of sweat and tears.
“Ifwe’d known about this in advance, we could’ve brought some of your stuff back over here,” he said.
Iblinked.I’dbeen so fixated onTrentit hadn’t crossed my mind whetherIneeded to hide out at the ranch anymore.
“Crap,I….”Iregarded the interior of my apartment, visible through the doorAmyhad left open. “You’reright.AmysaidIwas out of danger.Iguess, even ifTrentis innocent, the real bad guy isn’t going to try anything again now that the police think someone else did it.I’dfeel guilty staying in the guest cottage any longer, especially withJakeLordarriving soon.”
ButIdid not want to stay at my apartment.Myskin crawled just thinking about it.WouldMalcolm—
“Doyou want to stay with me for a while?” he asked diffidently. “Imean, you’ve been through a lot this week.Weboth have.I’d, uh,I’dappreciate the company myself.”
“I’dlove to,”Itold him. “Thanks.”Itried for a small, appreciative smile, butIwas pretty sureIcame across as a dork with how big my grin got.
“Great.”Malcolmgrinned back.
Westared at each other, smiling, for way too long.Wewere still at it whenAmyand the crime scene tech came back out.
* * *
Packingour stuff was bittersweet.Otherthan the threat of the bomber/killer, life on the ranch had been so far removed from my everyday existence it had felt a little bit like a vacation.
Afterhe finished packing,Malcolmstarted wiping down the kitchen.Iwas certain the guys had a cleaning service, butIpitched in by stripping the beds and emptying the trash bins.
Oncewe were done tidying,IstrappedMariposa’scarrier in the back seat and put everything else in theBuick’strunk.Westopped at the main house on the way out so we could say goodbye and thankCole,WillandJason.
“We’llsee you later this week,Felix.Butreally, you two are welcome to stay in the guest cottage anytime,”Willtold us.Thenhe rolled his eyes. “Well, as long as we’re not hosting any rock stars.OrJason’smother.Thoughyou can always come for a day visit.”Heleaned closer. “Pleasevisit whenJason’smother is here.I’mbegging you.”
Laughing,IledMalcolmout to theBuick.Colecame with us. “Iposted the photo of me in theBuickthis morning.JasonandWilldidn’t want to be in it, so it’s just me.”
“Oh,I’llcheck it out.Thanksfor telling us.”
Colesmirked atMalcolm. “Thenominations for her new name are pouring in.Doyou want to hear some of the contenders?”
MalcolmgaveColethe stink eye. “Letme guess,BuickMcBuickface?”
Colelaughed. “Actually, yes.I’mleaning toward a more traditional name.”Hepatted theBuick’shood. “Sheseems like a lady to me.”
Malcolmgrunted in disgust and got in the car.
Colegrinned. “I’lllet you know the winner.Nominationshave to be in by midnight.”
Chuckling,Iwaved goodbye and got in the passenger seat.Iwas over the moon happyMalcolmhad invited me to stay with him, butIstill had a heaviness in my chest from concern aboutTrent.Jokingaround with the guys helped make everything lighter.
Malcolmhad the top down, so the road noise was too loud to talk much while we were on the highway.Iused the time to check outCole’sInstagrampost.
Geta look at this beauty!Afriend lent it to me for the evening soIcould take my guys out in style.Don’tyou think she needs a name?I’mtaking nominations – submit your idea by midnightCentraltime andI’llpick my favorite!
Colehad put the post up around 8am, and he already had thousands of comments.Stevehad even submitted a nomination, sayingShelooks like aRaquelto me.Ireplied and seconded his vote.
IhopedSteveandCalcould come up with a business plan for their dating app.BeforeI’dgone full-time with pet massageI’ddone some basic math, butIhadn’t put together a formal plan.Besidesa budget, a list of marketing ideas and potential referral sources had been enough for me.
Speakingof,Ineeded to get back to it tomorrow.Icouldn’t live on my savings forever.Isighed.I’dbeen putting off learning how to doFacebookads, but nowIhad my laptop back.
Atleast,Ireminded myself with an internal happy dance,I’dbe staying atMalcolm’splace.
Ididn’t know ifI’dever understand whyTrent—or the real killer—wanted me dead.Butdespite their best efforts, my life was looking up.
