Page 113 of Lovestruck at Sundown
Naomi plopped on the living room sofa and tossed her bag beside her, having previously removed her coat and boots. “Ugh!” She let out an exasperated grunt.
“What happened?” I asked, sitting next to her. “Was it bad out there? Was Aaron a pain in the ass?”
Naomi chuckled, but I could tell she was trying to reel back her reaction. And before she could reply, Joel tossed Lily over his shoulder, escaping up the stairs as she laughed and asked him to put her down.
They weren’t coming back down anytime soon.
Liam and Nina chatted with William in the kitchen while he plated some late-night snacks.
Naomi explained how the weather was bad but was starting to subside. The visibility wasn’t terrible, but the main access road was indeed blocked. She insisted on exploring a way around it, but Aaron didn’t even want to try. He said he didn’t want to put her life at risk for a party. They argued. She explained how important it was for her to be there again. He turned around. They argued some more.
“Is he always like this?” Naomi asked, massaging her calves. “How do you even stand him?”
“Aaron is … Aaron.” I sighed. “He is a determined man and will always put safety first. No matter how much I beg, he’ll do what he thinks is best. Or what my father says is best. I learned that early on. But I keep asking for a shred of flexibility now and then.” I laughed. Naomi smiled but threw her head back on the sofa’s headrest. She seemed exhausted and overtaken with emotion.
“This was my chance. Ireallyneeded to close that deal.” Naomi’s face scrunched up, and a few tears cascaded down her cheeks. “Fuck, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be crying. Least of all, here with you guys.”
“No, it’s okay,” I reassured her. “You can talk to me.” I likedNaomi. It seemed like she needed to get something off her chest, and I didn’t mind listening to whatever she had to say.
She blew out a breath through her mouth. “Where do I start?” She laughed, but it turned into a sob. Her hand was quick to cover her mouth to muffle the sound. “My mom is sick.” She took a deep breath. “Between medicine, doctor’s appointments, chemotherapy, food, general cost of living.” She shook her head. “I could go on. And she has insurance, but it’s shit and doesn’t cover much. She had to quit her job, so I’ve been sending her most of my money lately, and my shit brother can’t even take care of himself. Last time I talked to him, he was bartending at some rundown bar in Nebraska.Fuck.”
Her hands moved up, brushing the tears off her cheeks as if angry at herself for crying.
“That’s a lot.” I placed my hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry about your mom.”
“Thanks.” She offered me a small, sad smile.
“Does she live in California, too?”
“Philly,” she said. “My plan is to move to New York. Most of my clients live here, so being on the East Coast makes sense. I’d be closer to my mom in case she needs me. And my lease was over, well, today.” She laughed but started crying again. “My landlord gave me two weeks to figure out if I’m renewing the contract or leaving. But the real estate market in New York is a total nightmare.”
“Give me a second.” I stood, grabbed a box of tissues from the nearest bathroom, and rushed back. “Here you go.”
She pulled out a tissue and patted her nose and face as she continued talking. “Every apartment I’ve seen is either too big and luxurious or tiny and unlivable and still expensive as shit. And don’t get me wrong, I make a good living with what I do and havesomesavings, but I’m probably going to use a big chunkof it to move all my stuff here. And I’m glad I can help my mom financially, especially when I can’t be there physically to help out, but it’s all been so stressful and exhausting in every way.”
“Do you have any friends in New York?” I asked. “Someone that might be looking for a roommate?” I felt terrible for Naomi. She seemed like such a badass all the time, and she was, but it was hard to imagine she was going through all that. It made sense that she’d feel exhausted. Trying to seem fine is one of the toughest things to do, and the body, mind, and soul resent it eventually.
If Nina weren’t living with me, I’d 100% offer her my guest bedroom. But that wasn’t an option.
“I don’t have any—friends.” Her voice was soft, and her tone vulnerable. “My job has introduced me to a lot of people, yes. But they’re all job acquaintances and connections. The truth is I don’t have time for friends. And I’m not like … a freak. I used to have plenty. But I lost them along the way—one by one. I’m always busy with work and travel, and they just stopped inviting me to things. They gave up on me. And I don’t blame them. I never found the time to check up on them either.”
“Have you ever told them about your mom and how being able to provide for her is a priority right now?” I would never turn my back on a friend like that, especially when they were struggling.
“They stopped talking to me way before my mom got sick, so you’re the first person I’ve opened up to about this.” She shrugged. “And now I’m regretting opening my mouth and feeling tempted to brew a concoction to make you forget I ever said anything.”
“Ah! I see why Aaron keeps calling you little witch.” I laughed, and so did she. “I’m sorry about Aaron, by the way. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. He’s never quick to lose his temper like that. He usually implodes in private.”
“Don’t worry about it. I eat men like him for breakfast. And I’m beginning to like the nickname, anyway.” She smiled wickedly. “Him … not so much.”
That’s when it hit me. Aaron had a spare room in his apartment! Caleb’s room had been empty ever since he died, and it would remain that way because my dad wasn’t going to hire another bodyguard. I knew it was a long shot, but I could offer Naomi the room for free for as long as Aaron’s contract lasted. My father didn’t have to know. He never set foot in Aaron’s apartment. That way, she could save up more money to provide for her mom and have some money left for her, too, without having to stress much about her finances.
“What if I offered you a free room in a decent-sized apartment in our building?”
“What?” Her normal Naomi voice came out. “No, Billie. Thank you, but no, thank you. This is why I choose not to open up to people and refuse to share my problems with anyone because I—”
“Naomi,” I cut her off gently. “I still think you’re a badass, and I respect you, especially with everything you do for your mom. Let me help you help her. So, at least listen to my offer. If you don’t want to take it, you can always try to fight me.”
She laughed and quickly eased out into a sigh. “Let’s hear it.”
