Page 44 of The Path to Loving Him
Her face contorts to the side. “An example for what?”
“For . . . for decorating,” I say, feeling all kinds of embarrassed.
“Decorating?” Her nose scrunches up in confusion.
I shrug, trying to pass this conversation off as anything but embarrassing. “You did a nice job, and I figured I could sort of use it as inspiration to give Mac a better place to live.”
Her expression softens, and her defensive position eases. “Oh . . . well . . . that’s nice of you. Thank you.”
“Sure,” I reply as I stick my hands in my pockets. “I can delete them, though, if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s fine. Use them as an example.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah,” she says, looking just as awkward as I feel.
“Thanks,” I say, then clear my throat.
“Yeah.” She toes the floor as silence settles between us.
When she lifts her eyes, I can’t help but stare at the two different colors and the way they sparkle in the sunlight. I canremember those eyes staring up at me when I drove into her, seeing the pleasure cross over her from my touch.
A lump of frustration forms in my throat, but I quickly swallow it away. What I wouldn’t give for another moment with her, but I know that can’t happen, so I need to tuck that away.
“Uh, about the shower,” I say, tugging on my hair.
“Is it fixed?” she asks, looking unfortunately hopeful.
“Not so much,” I say, causing her shoulders to droop.
“Really?”
“Yeah, sorry. Janet had to open up the wall and order a part, so it’s kind of a disaster in there. I tried to make it as clean as possible so you could still use the sink and toilet—which she checked on and that is all good to go—but the shower will be about two to three weeks.”
“What?” she shouts. “Two to three weeks?”
“Trust me, I’m not happy about it either. But yeah, it will take time for the part to get in, then it will take time to patch and tile the hole. It’s a lengthy process.”
Defeated, she sits on the arm of the couch. “So I’ll be without a shower for two to three weeks.”
“No, I mean you can use my shower. I know that it’s not ideal, but it’s there and available.” Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out a key to the house and set it on the coffee table for her. “Here’s a key. You can come and go as you please. I’m really sorry. I wish I had better news.”
“So do I.” She sighs. “That sucks.”
“Yeah, I know.”
She looks up at me. “Well, I guess just expect me to pop in at night. I won’t bother you in the morning. I’m sure it’s a race to get out the door with your niece.”
“Mac,” I say. “Or MacKenzie.”
“Right, sorry. But yeah, I’ll be there at night.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be sure to stay out of your way.”
“Thanks.”
And then we stare again.
