“We’ve got time,” Gwen says, placing a kiss on her husband’s cheek.
“We’ve got time right now,” he replies, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. “You don’t mind watching her for fifteen more minutes, right, Gabby?”
“Ew,” I reply, trying not to think about my sister and brother-in-law doing the nasty.
“Oh, it’s definitely not ew. In fact, your sister does this thing with her—”
“My God, stop talking right now!” I holler, startling my niece. “Sorry, baby girl, but Mommy and Daddy were being all gross and touchy-feely.”
“Touchy-feely is how she got here,” Harrison quips with a smirk.
“This is a horrible working environment,” I state as I lightly bounce Sophia on my leg.
“It is?” he asks, his face completely somber. Harrison takes his business very seriously and wouldn’t want to jeopardize what they’ve built over the last several years. Especially after the whole Gina fiasco, he’s all about making sure things run smoothly.
“No, I was teasing,” I tell him honestly.
In fact, I love my job. My brother-in-law is a great boss. Before I started here, I was a travel agent in town, working for a husband-and-wife team. There were five agents in one office, but as the travel industry started to shift last winter, cuts had to be made. My job was one of those cuts. It just so happened that Gina went all nutty at the same time I lost my job, so I was able to offer up my organizational and time management services to Harrison at just the right time.
“What’s this?” my sister asks as her daughter pulls my finger into her mouth.
I glance at what she’s looking at and realize immediately what it is.
The letter.
In my haste to pick up after lunch, I forgot to put the letter back in my purse.
“Gabby?” my sister asks, giving me a concerned look as she hands the letter to her husband.
“Oh, that. Yeah, so funny thing happened. My building was sold and I have to move.”
“You have to move?” she mimics, her eyes wide with concern.
“Yeah. By Sunday.”
“Sunday?”
“Are you going to repeat everything I say?”
“Why are you just now telling us about this? This letter is dated weeks ago?” Harrison asks, setting it back down on my desk.
“Well,” I start, trying to adjust myself in my seat, “I’ve been looking. In fact, I found a few places for rent,” I add brightly.
“Yeah? Where?” Gwen asks.
“Uhh, well, the one I’m probably going to get is the building over on Yount,” I mumble, intentionally.
“Yount? Like… by the jail?” Gwen is about to panic.
“It’s fine, sis. I can handle it.”
“Handle it?” Gwen turns to Harrison and asks, “Didn’t they have that big meth bust there last week?”
He nods. “Yeah, everyone was joking because it was directly across the street from the jail. The cops didn’t have to go far.” Then his eyes narrow on me. “You’re going to live in the meth house?”
“Well, no, of course not. The apartment I saw was meth free.”
“No. Absolutely not. You can’t live in that place, Gabby. You can move in with us,” Gwen says adamantly.
“Are you kidding? You have a new baby and you’re newlyweds. No way am I moving in with you two. Besides, your place isn’t big enough for a third adult, even on a temporary basis. No. Ain’t happening,” I demand, not giving an inch.
“Well, I admit, it wouldn’t be very comfy, but it beats you living in the meth house.”
Sighing, I glance down at the letter. “I admit it’s not ideal, but there aren’t a lot of choices in my price range. It would only be temporary, guys. And I’ll be fine. I took that kickboxing class a few years ago, remember? Besides, I’m an adult, capable of making my own decisions. I’ll figure it out,” I add with a reassuring smile.
They both look at me, not really liking my options, but neither of them says anymore. “Just promise us you’ll call if you need help. Oh, do you need help moving? Harrison can help,” my sister volunteers with a big smile.
He narrows his eyes at his wife, but to me says, “Yes, of course, I’ll help. Anytime.”
“Thanks, guys. But I’ll be fine.”
And I will. I just have to keep repeating that motto over and over again, even as the clock winds down to eviction day.
I’ll be fine.
I’ve got this.Chapter TwoChase 2* * *“What’s wrong?” I walk up to what seems to be a tense conversation. All I heard was Gabby saying that she’ll be fine. Is she sick? “What did I miss?” I ask, bending to scoop my niece out of Gabby’s arms. She coos up at me, and another little piece of my heart breaks off in her tiny little hands. I’ve never spent a lot of time around kids, babies especially, but this little girl is hard to resist. When I offer her my finger, she smiles at me, and I turn my attention to Gabby. Her green eyes, much like her sister’s, tell me all I need to know.