“That’s right.” This was a safe space. And it was beautiful. “Feels like we’ve covered a lot of territory in a very short amount of time. Kind of speed-friendship with the potential for benefits.”
“Mm.”
“And I just want you to know that I don’t think less of you for driving a gas-guzzling environmental disaster of a car.”
“Thanks, babe.”
I screwed up my nose. “You caught me in a weak moment earlier. I didn’t really mean to say you calling me babe was all right.”
“No?”
“No.”
“Sucks to be you.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Vaughan,” said Joe, clapping his hands together loudly. “Still got that fire pit out back?”
“It’s overgrown, but it’s there.” He gave the nape of my neck one last squeeze, then he took a step back. “You thinking we should get it working again?”
“You read my mind.”
“Let’s do it,” said Andre.
Vaughan looked between Pat and his sister, neither of whom appeared to be particularly relaxed. Nell’s smile seemed strained, the wine in her glass disappearing at lightning speed. A muscle jumped in his jawline. “Yeah, let’s do that. Leave the girls in here to do their thing.”
“Thank you, gentlemen,” sang Rosie, the wine in her glass also greatly reduced. “My husband only agrees to baby-sit once every blue moon. I mean to make the most of it.”
“Have fun.” Vaughan picked up the growlers Joe had left on the table, then moseyed over to the big glass doors heading out back. “Grab some glasses.”
“On it,” said Joe.
“Coming, Pat?” Andre asked before going out into the early evening.
Without a word, the tattooist followed. Nell’s gaze did too. There was love, in all its pain and glory, written over her face. In comparison, what I’d felt for Chris was laughable.
“We grew apart,” said Nell, meeting my eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged and drained the last of her wine. “These things happen, right? Grab the bottle from the kitchen, would you?”
“Sure.”
All three of us crowded together on the couch, topping off our glasses.
“Shit, I forgot. Pizza!” Rosie raced into the kitchen, bringing back one of the boxes. “Calabrese, tomato, and basil. My favorite.”
“Nice.” My stomach rumbled to life and I helped myself to a slice.
“Want me to heat it up?”
“There’s no time for that,” I said, taking a bite. “Oh. This is good. Really good.”
“Sure about that?” Rosie laughed.
“You just wish you could talk with a mouth full of food, and still look this attractive.”
That even made Nell snicker. Score.
“Made them for us before abandoning ship. I’m glad you like my cooking,” she said. “Since I see my brother hasn’t bothered to stock the house. You’ll likely be relying on me for the duration of your stay.”
“I’ll go to the supermarket tomorrow,” I said, pausing to gulp down a mouthful of the very good wine. “Vaughan’s been busy.”
“Wouldn’t matter if he hadn’t been,” she said, swirling her glass of red. “He won’t do anything that feels like settling in here. This place … it’s just too hard for him. Too many memories, I guess. He’ll be gone as fast as he can be.”
“You really think he’s going to sell it?” asked Rosie.
Nell lay her head back against the top of the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “All he ever wanted to be was a guitarist, play in a band. He needs the money.”
“Shit,” whispered Rosie. “I’m sorry.”
I ate more pizza and drank more wine. My heart hurt for her, but there was nothing I could say.
“It’s like I lost him when I lost Mom and Dad. Now Pat’s gone too.” Nell sniffed, quickly wiping at her eyes. “Fuck. Sorry, girls. Didn’t mean to get all weepy on you.”
“It’s okay,” I said, touching her elbow. “You’re safe here, Nell.”
“What she said,” echoed Rosie, rising to grab an old box of Kleenex from the corner. I really did like her. She was good people.
“I’m the hard-core bitch,” said Nell. “I’m not allowed to cry.”
“We all cry sometimes. It’s no biggie.”
“My period’s due any day now. Let’s blame it on that.”