Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Jude tells Nonnie a story about how Preston once spent forty-eight hours redesigning a client’s kitchen because he was convinced “something felt off.”
“He’s like Rainman of kitchen design, and I’m the Yoda of bedrooms,” Jude says. I almost choke on my sip of Coke, and Nonnie chuckles. “I mean, I’m the Yoda of designing bedrooms,” he clarifies.
Nonnie’s eyes sparkle. “I knew what you meant,” she says.
Preston’s hand migrates further up my thigh, and I stifle a squeak, wondering how much longer before I can make up some excuse to get Preston alone.
As the evening winds down, everyone pitches in with the clean-up. Preston and Jude clear the table while I bag the trash. Once the kitchen is mostly restored to order, Jude claps Preston on the back and says, “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m heading home to drown myself in Netflix.”
“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out,” Preston tells him.
Jude rolls his eyes at Preston, then turns to give Nonnie a formal bow. “Madame Winslet, thank you for your hospitality. Ten out of ten, would recommend.”
“I’m so glad you came,” she gushes, and I realize he already won my grandmother over. “We’ll have to do this again.”
“You can count on it,” he tells her before he turns his attention to me. “Hazel, it’s been a pleasure. I don’t know what you see in my ugly ass best friend, but he’s one lucky guy.”
Preston gives me a little squeeze, then leans over to growl for Jude’s ears only, “Fuck off, asshole.”
“Good night to you, too.”
After Jude slips out the front door, Nonnie starts fiddling with the TV remote, clearly shifting into British murder mysteries, so I grab my keys and purse.
Preston leans down, brushing my hair off my neck, voice low. “Need me to walk you to your car?” We both know that’s code for, “I’ll walk you up to my apartment.” We’re keeping secrets, but I don’t know how to tell Nonnie that I spend most nights in Preston’s ultra comfy California King bed.
“Sure,” I say, not trusting myself to speak more than one syllable.
We make it to the hallway before Nonnie calls after us, “You don’t have to pretend on my account. I know you’ve been staying at Preston’s house.”
I stop in my tracks. “Um, what?”
Preston freezes, then turns, expression full of shock.
Nonnie appears in the doorway, hands on her hips, chin tilted up. “I’ve been going out to breakfast with the building’s senior club several mornings a week. Each time we leave the parking garage, I see your car is parked in my parking spot.”
Oof. Where do I even start? “The building has a senior club?”
“Mable Jenkins and Marlene Winters started it.” Nonnie shrugs like it’s no big deal. “They invited me to join, and I jumped at the chance to hang out with people my own age.”
“That’s great.” It really is. I was starting to worry that I won’t have as much time to spend with Nonnie now that I’m in a committed relationship with Preston.
“It is.” She looks back and forth between Preston and me. “Now, stop trying to change the subject. I know you’ve been staying at Preston’s apartment, and I couldn’t be happier.”
I can’t help it—I snort, feeling like I just took a two-by-four right between the eyes. “What?”
She shakes her head, exasperated. “Hazel, you’re grown. If I learned one thing from being married to your grandfather for thirty-seven years, it’s that you know when you know. There’s no point dragging your heels if you’ve found your person.”
My face burns. “Aren’t you supposed to be… like… against living together before marriage?”
She snorts. “Darling, this isn’t the sixties. I trust your judgment, and frankly, I trust Preston.” She fixes Preston with a look so piercing I feel it in my spleen. “Just don’t break her heart, young man, or I’ll make you regret the day you left California.”
Preston, never one to back down, grins widely. “Yes, ma’am. Wouldn’t dream of it. I love her too much for that.” He slides his hand around my waist, pulling me tight. “But just for the record, I’m pretty fond of you, too.”
“Ditto.” Nonnie beams, a little misty around the edges. “Now, you two run along so I can watch the rest of my show.” We each give her a kiss on the cheek and head out.
As we step out into the hallway, Preston’s thumb circles my hip, lazy and confident. “I guess you’re moving in.”
I lean against him, laughing because it’s all so ridiculous and so perfect. “Maybe.”
“Let’s see if I can convince you.” He kisses me, slow and deep, and the world shrinks down to just us, the buzz of the hallway lights, and the faint sound of the elevator zipping past the floor. When we finally come up for air, he stares down into my eyes. “Now will you move in with me?”