Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Knox? Can you get me a platter?”
“Knox! Come push us!”
“Knox? The lightbulb in the guest bathroom just went out. Can you—”
“I’m on it.” And I was, one task after another until I arrived back at the food table to several empty platters. Oh well, at least there was some of the fruit Monroe had brought. I was deciding what could go with the fruit when Monroe stepped in front of me, holding out one of the blue and white checked paper plates Jessica had set out.
“What’s this?” The plate held a plain burger on a bun, but what I really meant was, What the heck, Monroe?
“You were running around so much that you didn’t get to make yourself a plate when everyone else grabbed their burgers, so I snagged the last patty for you.” Monroe shrugged, but there was tension around his eyes like he also couldn’t figure out his sudden burst of helpfulness.
“You didn’t have to do that. But thanks.” I busied myself adding toppings to the burger and arranging fruit and some salad on the plate rather than allowing myself to continue the staring contest with Monroe.
Which turned out to be a good call because my dad came striding over, all smiles and a back slap for Monroe.
“Ah. Good to see you both getting along. Knox manage to not insult you again?”
“He’s fine.” Monroe’s mouth curved, not quite a smile, but something almost fond nonetheless. “Not his fault I’m ancient.”
“Knox, Monroe here can probably run a faster mile than either of us,” Dad scolded me like I’d been heckling Monroe all night and not ogling all those lean muscles every chance I got.
“He does seem rather…fit.” I looked directly at Monroe, not Dad, trying to beam Monroe memories of exactly how fit he’d been at the club.
“Military will do that for a guy.” Dad was almost adorably clueless. “You should have seen him back in high school. Monroe was all elbows and knees, not an ounce of muscle. First guy from our school to ever get a Naval Academy scholarship. We were all convinced he wouldn’t pass the fitness test, but a couple of years later, he turns up, looking all GI-Joe buff.”
“We all grew up.” Monroe shrugged, but hell if I didn’t want to grab Dad’s yearbooks, see Monroe’s glow-up firsthand.
“And out.” Dad patted his middle, which was getting a little thicker these days. “Swear I’ve gained sympathy pregnancy weight.”
“That’s what you said last time.” I duffed his shoulder.
“Yeah, but weirdly, this time is more nerve-wracking. With the triplets, everything was so choreographed from IVF to the c-section at thirty-five weeks. This one was such a surprise.”
I nodded along because biology was weird. I’d been a total accident back in high school for him and Mom, who both insisted they’d used birth control, then Dad and Jessica had struggled with infertility for years, only to have a post-forty shocker of a surprise bonus kid.
“Maybe you’re still in shock?” Monroe suggested.
“I better get over it in a hurry.” Dad chuckled, voice warm like it always was when he talked about Jessica or the kids. “Baby will be here around August.”
August. The month circled on my planner, and the month I was supposed to be counting down to like a second Christmas and birthday rolled into one. Grad school was waiting, and I had a billion open tabs on my browser for possible housing options and not one application submitted. And hell if I knew what was up with my reluctance.
“I’m glad we get one last summer with Knox close by.” Like he could read my mind, Dad threw an arm around my shoulders. “You and Monroe figure out when you can move in?”
“I…uh…” Hell. I should have used some of that time running around doing favors to figure out a plausible excuse for Dad as to why the roommate thing was a no-go.
“Wednesday?” Monroe sounded way more confident than I did. “I need a day or two to clear one of the bedrooms for him and Wallace.”
What the…? I had to clamp my jaw shut to avoid sputtering.
“Oh, you met the cat already.” Dad made a dismissive gesture. “Should have known you’d fall for him.”
Me. How about falling for me? But no, Dad was undoubtedly right, and Wallace was the reason for Monroe’s abrupt change of heart. And I could get all up in my feelings over that, or I could seize the damn opportunity before he yanked it back.
“I can help with the bedroom clearing,” I said quickly. “Tomorrow, I’m supposed to work a gutter install for Measure Twice, but I could come early on Tuesday and help get the room ready and Wallace-proof.”
“That cat is a menace.” Dad rolled his eyes before slapping Monroe on the shoulder again. “Better you than me, buddy. They’re your problems now.”