Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“Did you think to call 9-1-1 first?”
“I didn’t have my phone, but I don’t think I would have taken the time to call for help. It never even occurred to me. Shaun said a bystander called for help while I was trying to rescue the kids. Supposedly, the local news interviewed her.”
I nod. “I saw the interview. I’m sure they’ll also contact you soon for an interview.”
Anna curls her hair behind her ear and then rubs her neck. “Then you’d better get your story online so you don’t miss out on being the one with the exclusive interview.”
“Doesn’t matter,” I say, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my legs. I mean it. It feels like an afterthought now that we’re alone in the same room again. I remember how everything felt like an afterthought when we were together. I thought she was the one—the girl who would tame my wandering mind. In hindsight, I knew nothing.
“It has to matter,” Anna says. “You got on a plane and flew here, the same day it happened, to get an exclusive. I bet your boss thinks it matters.”
“She’s not my boss. So … tell me about Shaun.”
Her eyes narrow. “Shaun?”
“Yeah.” I sit back again, gaze wandering around the room. I can’t sit still. I can’t focus. I’m … unsettled by these feelings.
“I’ve known Shaun for years. His girlfriend in high school used to babysit me. And he’d hang out too. It’s such a small world. Shaun moved to Nashville a few years ago and started a real estate company.”
“Do your parents like him?”
“Uh … yeah. Why?”
“No reason. I mean … I figured it might give them a moment’s pause. You know?”
She rubs her lips together and hums. “I’m not sure I do know. They moved to Florida shortly after I left Des Moines. They don’t care where I live as long as I’m happy. If anything, they’re thrilled that I’m figuring things out on my own.”
“Hey. I’m not judging you.” I hold up my hands. “Lord knows I’ve had the worst luck with relationships. So if you’ve found love and are happy, who cares what anyone else thinks about the age difference.”
Anna’s eyes widen, and a tiny gasp escapes her parted lips. “Wait. No. Shaun is not my boyfriend. Why would you think that?”
“Because the nurse at the hospital told me your boyfriend went to get dinner. And you live with a man and no other roommates, so I put two and two together.”
“Um … no.” She wrinkles her nose. “That would be weird. After all, he essentially helped babysit me when I was seven.”
“Well, he looks at you like he’s your boyfriend. So if he’s not, then why are you living with him?” I shake my head. “And … you don’t have to tell me anything. It’s none of my fucking business.”
Anna takes a drink of water and sets it back on the end table. “It’s a crazy story. I took a job at an advertising firm here in Nashville—a dream job. And while looking for an apartment, I came across Shaun. He has rental properties, and I messaged him about one of his apartments. However, everything was out of my price range without a roommate. I didn’t recognize his name, probably because I never knew his last name. But he asked if I was originally from Iowa because he recognized my name. Long story short, after several conversations, he offered to rent me a room here while I looked for a roommate. I was staying at a hotel because my job started immediately.” She gives me a sheepish grin. “And I’ve just … never moved out. I pay rent. I help around the house. Whenever I mention looking for my own place, he talks me out of it.”
Since I’m not sure how to respond, I don’t. I have so many questions, but they don’t feel like mine to ask. “That’s kind of him to be so … kind.” I have better words but never find the right ones with Anna. I’ll never say the right thing.
A silence settles between us, and it magnifies the elephant in the room: did she stop writing? That question sits on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t spit it out.
“Did you close your T-shirt shop?” She nudges the conversation in the right direction. Sort of.
“I still own it, but I don’t manage it. I joined the family business, but it was bought out by a bigger … business.” Avoiding that elephant is tricky. Can I even say the word publisher? “My mom left my dad. And that’s when I started blogging and freelance writing while keeping him from doing anything stupid. Well, more like irreversible.”
“That’s…” her face sours “…too bad. So you live with your dad?”
“Yes.”
“Is that weird?” Anna chuckles.
With a sigh, I rub my face. “I wouldn’t say the living-with-my-dad part is weird. My dad’s reaction to the divorce has been less than ideal.”