Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“If you room with me for an Oregon address and work at Blessed Bean, you’ll have insurance options.”
“That sounds like a great plan.” Dr. Washington was quick to jump on board even as Worth looked decidedly sour. “I know I’d feel better if you weren’t living alone right now.”
“Not like I have options.” Gone was the confident Worth from the coffee shop. Here was the sullen Worth of the night before.
“You always have options.” I had to work to keep the frustration from my tone. “Holden? Monroe? The list of people who would help you is longer than you think.”
“He’s right. We’ve got a whole host of community resources.” Whitney grabbed a pad of paper, ever ready to make referrals.
“The coffee shop needs you,” I added before Worth could claim he wasn’t a part of the community. “Green Label is going to try to drive us out of business, and you’re the guy to help save the shop.”
“I do know something about coffee.” Worth’s tone was thoughtful.
Whitney let out a high, tinkly laugh. “Undoubtedly more than Sam.”
“Stay with me, and you can keep Buttercup.” I wasn’t above trying to sweeten the deal.
“A pet?” Whitney nodded so hard that her stethoscope bounced against her chest. “That’s another great idea for you.”
“Buttercup does need a place.” Worth exhaled in three little huffs, then rubbed his chest. “Okay. Hook me up with the prescriptions. I’ll think about the outpatient thing—”
“That wasn’t an idle suggestion. I want you to give it a good try. Medication alone can only do so much.” Whitney was back to her stern Dr. Washington face before lightly adding, “You can bring your emotional support animal to the meetings.”
“Fine.” Worth studied the motivational health poster on the far wall, but I’d take his reluctant agreement. We left with a list of prescriptions to pick up from the pharmacy, strict instructions to call if anything changed, a follow-up appointment with a gastroenterologist for the ulcer, and information on the outpatient depression program.
“So, apparently, I have a dog, a job, and a roommate?” Worth asked as he settled himself into the passenger side of his car, as easily as if we did this every day. Not that I’d turn that down. I wasn’t vain or materialistic, but I could admit to the pleasure of driving a well-tuned sports car, especially compared to my ancient wagon. Also, there was a certain thrill to driving Worth around, being in charge instead of always tagging along.
“Apparently.” I shrugged, tensing my spine against the worry he was about to take back the promises he’d made to the doctor.
“It’s not that I’m not grateful—”
“Worth.” I turned in my seat to peer directly into his brown eyes. Mistake. A person could happily drown there. “You don’t need to be grateful for basic human kindness. You deserve a chance to get back on your feet. That’s all this is. A friend helping another friend through a rough patch. We are friends, right?”
Please. After all this time, let Worth Stapleton see me as more than a pest. I wasn’t thirty-five at that moment, and I held my breath, waiting.
“Of course we’re friends.” He turned too, our faces now mere inches apart. Friendly. Very friendly. “Your texts… It’s silly, but I looked forward to them. Needed them.”
“I’m glad.” I touched his upper arm. I was pushing the boundaries of friends, but I couldn’t not touch him right then. “And you need a friend right now. Let me help.”
“Okay,” he whispered. “I’ll work on trying to find a fraction of your faith in me.” Mouth twisting, he lightened his voice. “And if nothing else, I can at least teach your crew how to pull a decent shot of espresso.”
“Good.” Somehow, our faces were even closer now. His breath gusted across my cheek.
Maybe…
“Thank you. I don’t deserve you either, but thank you.” Worth put an end to whatever mistake I’d been about to make with more of his misplaced gratitude. I couldn’t take advantage of his emotionally vulnerable state, even if a huge part of me was dying to kiss him. Lean in, see what happened…
But I couldn’t. Not with him thanking me for being a decent human being. He deserved so much, and what I truly needed was for Worth to see his own worth.
Chapter Eight
Worth
My friends had gotten old.
And coupled up, a fact evident from the second Sam and I arrived at Holden’s home for dinner.
Holden was a genuine adult now, a homeowner with manicured landscaping, a fancy grill, and a live-in boyfriend who put the P in protective.
Monroe was practically an elder statesman, running a bed and breakfast called the Lucky Penny, of all things, with his hot younger boyfriend, Knox. Further making me feel ancient, I’d gone to school with Knox’s police chief father, Rob. And now Knox was all grown up and a local business owner, having taken over Measure Twice remodeling. Monroe was also a noted investigator with a book deal.