Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Yeah. Lawyers sorted it out with the owners. They weren’t using it so…”
Charlie pours more batter into the pan. “You two giving each other some room sounds sensible.”
“Hopefully with some time and distance, Audrey and I can heal this unfortunate rift in our relationship,” says Nash.
Grandma looks to heaven. “The nonsense you come out with. You’re only moving next door.”
“And I’ll be taking my Junebug with me.”
I raise my chin. “You’re doing what now?”
“You heard me.”
“Yeah,” I say, with more patience than I feel. “And it sounded like you thought we were moving in together. Did you mean to suggest that?”
He nods. “Yes I did.”
My mouth opens, but I don’t know what to say. “Um. Talk me through your thought process here. Because while the town might think it’s sensible for us to shack up together for the sake of our imaginary progeny, I however, am not so sure.”
He shoves a forkful of pancake in his mouth. “It’s got nothing to do with the town and their expectations.”
“Okay.”
“I just like having you close.”
“She will be close. She’ll be right next door,” says Grandma. “You’re quite welcome to visit.”
Nash ignores her and says, “And I thought you liked being with me too.”
“You know I do.” I smile.
Grandma goes to open her mouth, but Charlie gets there first. “They’re adults, Aud.”
“Doesn’t mean they make good choices,” she says snappily.
He nods in agreement. “I hear you. Doesn’t change the fact that you need to take a step back and stay the fuck out of it. Let them live their lives without the burden of other people’s judgement. Something you’ve never tolerated in your own life.”
Grandma huffs out a breath. The woman is seriously perturbed. What is interesting is her not saying another word, however.
And as for Nash, he just watches me. I swear sometimes he can see straight down to my soul. How he sits there so silent and still with me as his sole focus. Like he already knows me inside and out. The good and the bad and the undecided.
Then he downs some of his coffee and keeps on watching me.
So my suitcase will be at his house instead of here. This doesn’t need to be a big deal. And yet it feels like one.
I can’t remember the last time I took a risk. Like, a real one. Which is kind of sad when you think about it. Life needs to be more than doom scrolling, death, and taxes. This might only last five minutes. He could ghost me and go back to his glamorous existence. Leave me sitting on read in this small town. It would be foolish of me to ignore this fact.
But to have the chance to be with him and be too afraid to take it…not happening.
I breathe in deep and ignore the bright, nervous ball of energy inside of me. Because I think maybe it’s happiness and I don’t entirely trust it for some reason. “Just to recap. You want me to move in because we like being together. This has got nothing to do with what the town thinks. And it’s got nothing to do with how much you enjoy irritating my grandmother.”
“That’s right,” he says.
I play it cool and take a sip of my perfectly made coffee and say, “Let me give it some thought.”
And he smiles, because he can see through my bullshit just fine.
Grandma can stay silent no longer. “June, you can’t be serious. And Nash, you said you wanted some normality. This is not what normal people do. They date for an extended period and get to know one another. You don’t just do things on a whim.”
“Haven’t lived with a girlfriend in years,” he says. “This is going to be great. Anyway, it’s getting too noisy to sleep here at night. What with your grandma sneaking into people’s rooms at all hours, getting up to who knows what.”
Charlie gives him a dour look and says a whole lot of nothing.
Meanwhile, Grandma clears her throat and avoids everyone’s gaze.
Huh. The way I could have happily lived without ever knowing those details. Just existed in a place of blissful ignorance. Someone needs to focus on finding peace and fulfilment at this family breakfast. And it just so happens to be me.
“How about we reach an agreement? We acknowledge everyone here is a consenting adult of legal age. And that we’re permitted to make our own decisions regardless of whether other people believe them to be a mistake or not. Stay out of our business, and we’ll stay out of yours.”
“Works for me.” Charlie turns his gaze to Grandma. “Aud?”
She sighs heavily. But she doesn’t disagree, which is good enough for me.
“Quick question, Junebug,” says Nash. “I’ve been thinking about it, and your grandma is right. We should do this properly. Want to go on a date with me tonight?”