Page 21 of Let Me Keep You

Hey babe, wanna come over and watch a movie with me? I’ll even let you pick this time! No chick flicks, I promise.

We take turns picking and go between action movies and rom-coms. I happen to like them both. When we first started dating, we went through our list of favorite childhood movies. Since he’s fifteen years older than me, there were quite a few titles I’d never seen before.

Robert

Sorry, darling. Wish I could, but I’m still at the office finishing up some schematics, and I’m hungry and exhausted. It’s been a long day. I’ll be heading home within the hour, and you can meet me at the house, or you know, move in with me

The blood drains from my face as I read his message. No matter what I do or say, he won’t stop until I admit defeat and move in.

I send Everleigh a message outside our group text.

Gemma

Robert is getting pushier about me moving in. I tell him I’m not ready, but it’s not enough for him to stop asking, and things get more awkward every time I tell him no.

Everleigh

Stay strong. Enjoy your freedom while you can, because once you move in with him, you’ll lose it all.

I chuckle at her response. It’s so like her too. She’s independent and fierce, always has been.

Gemma

Sometimes, I wonder if you’re a bad influence or not.

Everleigh

Oh, I absolutely am.

CHAPTER FIVE

TYLER

Everleigh drives me to Mimi and Pop’s house before she opens the boutique Friday morning. I need to borrow Mimi’s Cadillac so I can run errands. Yesterday, I submitted an address change form at the post office, opened a checking account, and made a list of items I still need to buy. I have some money from before I got arrested, but it won’t last long.

“Send my love to Mimi, okay?” Everleigh tells me when she pulls into the driveway and parks.

“I will.”

“If she baked anything, promise to sneak me a pocketful.” She chuckles, and I shake my head before getting out of the car. As she backs out of the driveway, she lays on the horn, causing me to jump. She speeds off, and I’m sure she’s probably laughing her ass off.

Even though it’s not even eight yet, they’re early risers. I’m sure my grandmother has already drunk a pot of coffee and called a handful of friends, all while Pops tinkers in his workshop in the backyard. As soon as I walk in, I’m surrounded with childhood memories. The smell of cookies wafts through the living room, and I hear Mimi chatting on the phone in the kitchen. When I enter, she grins and waves me over.

“Susan,” she interrupts. “Susan, I gotta let you go, honey. Tyler just walked in.”

Seconds later, she ends the call. It’s hard not to smile when I’m with my grandmother. She stands, pulling me into a tight embrace.

“I was wonderin’ when you were gonna come see me again. Didn’t wanna have to beg.”

“Oh, Mimi, you know I had that interview a couple of days ago and then had errands to run yesterday.”

Her eyes light up, and I can tell she’s waiting for the news. I eye the cookies on the plate on the table and snatch one. A chuckle escapes me as I think about Everleigh wanting some as I eat half of it in one bite.

“You gonna leave a woman waiting?” she finally asks.

“I start Monday.”

She looks relieved, but I’m sure she already knew. Nothing gets past her.