Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
The tension and raw emotion of the previous few minutes had been a lot more than what I’d been prepared for, and I still didn’t know quite what to think.
I just knew that even though I’d told the truth—even though Brady had asked—I’d somehow managed to give too much information, or the wrong information, or something. I’d hurt him, and I couldn’t help but feel that it was mostly my fault.
But if what I’d said had been wrong, what was the right thing to say? And if I could figure that out… would Brady even want to hear it?
Chapter Twenty-Six - Joanne
I glanced at the clock, then at the back staircase. Again. It was what I’d been doing all afternoon, ever since Brady had disappeared up there after our aborted lunch.
Every time the door would open, my heart would race, and I would hold my breath, anxious and hopeful that he would appear on the stairs and that we’d be able to talk about what had happened earlier.
And every damn time, my anxiety was replaced with disappointment when it turned out to be the movers again, rumbling down the staircase like a herd of elephants and crashing through the shop on their way out to the parking lot.
It was maddening.
But even though I had quickly become tired of seeing the movers, the silence that fell around me when they finally left wasn’t any better. It might have actually been worse.
There was still plenty of work to do before I left for the evening, but all I could manage to do was watch the clock and wonder when Brady would appear again.
Wonder if he was okay.
By the time Naomi finally came back at four from her deliveries, I was nearly beside myself.
“Hey, Jo, how’s it going? What have I missed today? I would’ve been back sooner, but I stopped by the nursing home and my grandma’s friends wanted to know all about the flowers I brought last time, and you know, I just couldn’t say no…” Naomi’s bright voice rang out in the silent shop, her enthusiastic babbling for once failing to lift my spirits.
All I could think about was how I needed to get out of there.
To get upstairs.
To get to Brady.
“Oh, no worries,” I tried to flash a quick smile in her direction and hoped it didn’t look as forced as it had felt. “Hey, can you watch the counter for a few minutes? I, um, need to check on… something.”
“Sure.” Naomi’s brows furrowed and she watched curiously as I practically leapt off the creaky stool behind the front counter.
I didn’t care, though. And even though I knew Naomi would have dozens of questions for me later, I couldn’t be bothered to worry about that, either.
I barely even heard her response, in fact. I was already nearly to the back staircase when I turned and nodded absently behind me.
“Thanks,” I called out, trusting that she would understand.
Hopefully.
Later.
I took the stairs two at a time, only pausing when I got to the top and was finally standing in front of Brady’s door. Did I even know what I was going to say when and if I saw him?
No. No, I didn’t.
But that didn’t matter. I’d think of something. Or I’d just apologize, and hope Brady didn’t hate me after our earlier conversation.
The important thing was that I spoke to him—the specifics weren’t as important.
I just wanted Brady to know that he wasn’t alone. Not as alone as he thought he was, anyway. Not as long as I was around.
Before I could stop myself or talk myself out of it, I knocked. And waited.
And waited.
Just when I’d nearly convinced myself that Brady actually did hate me and never wanted to see or speak to me again, the door opened.
“Brady, thank goodness.” I shook my head. Wrong. “I mean… hi. Can we talk? Just for a minute?”
I nibbled my lip as I waited for a reply.
Brady’s eyes were red and puffy, and his cheeks looked damp from crying. I felt a new surge of guilt at the way our conversation had gone and wanted nothing more than to take him into my arms and tell him everything was going to be okay.
Except by the way he was silently standing there, still not replying, I wasn’t sure if I could make that assumption. Maybe everything wasn’t going to be okay between us.
Brady looked as if he might finally say something, but instead just sighed and nodded, stepping aside to let me into the small apartment.
I gratefully hurried inside, wanting to put some space between myself and the door just in case he suddenly changed his mind. At the very least, I wanted enough time to get an apology in.
I’d been so focused on making sure Brady was okay that it took me a few seconds to notice how different the apartment looked. I had only been up there a handful of times over the years, but I sucked in a sharp breath at the changes.