Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
I laughed softly. “I will.”
Clutching the strap of his satchel, he glanced at the plate I kept squeezing. “Is that some sort of shield for talking to me or…?”
Holding it away from me, I flinched at the neon yellow Post-it and ripped it off before Zander could read X’s note.
Zander narrowed his eyes as I scrunched the paper and stuffed it into my paint-splattered pocket. “Nah, just someone I used to know giving me back what’s mine.”
He nodded slowly, his green gaze darkening. “Sounds pretty final.”
“Oh, it is.” I arched my chin. “Some things don’t last, you know?”
He winced. “Yeah, life sucks that way.”
We shared a stare again, the ghosts of our parents and grandparents thick between us. Funny that although I knew his family history, I hadn’t stopped to think how similar we were in that respect. I was a true orphan in this world. I literally had no one alive who shared my DNA but him…he had two sisters.
“How’re Christina and Jolie?” I asked, doing my best to be a better neighbour and friend. “Do they still live a few suburbs over?”
He half-smiled, tiredness making him sway. “They’re good. Sworn off men, but that doesn’t stop my friend Colin from flirting.”
“I think swearing off men is contagious around here.” I laughed a little too loudly.
He flinched again. “After what Milton did to you, I think you’re wise to avoid my sex.”
I let him think it was Milton I meant.
He yawned and shook his head as if to wake himself up.
You’re keeping the poor guy up. He’s dead on his feet and probably performed countless surgeries.
He didn’t need me keeping him from bed.
A bubble of anxiety had me asking, “Do you have anyone to cook you a meal tonight? You look like you might fall asleep on the stove if you attempt to make anything.”
His eyebrows shot up. Pushing his glasses back into position, he frowned. “Y-You’re asking if I have anyone who takes care of me?”
“Of course.” Taking another step toward him, I noticed how he took one back.
He’d always been very aware of others, and I’d just told him how I felt around him, thanks to Milton. It made sense to keep his distance. And the fact that he did so, even in his almost comatose state, made my heart swell with gratefulness. “Look, I’m done renovating for the day and have enough greens from the garden to make a huge salad. I was going to cook some roast veggies and either chicken drumsticks or garlic butter cod. I can bring you a plate if you want? You could have a shower and relax while I cook? I shouldn’t be too long. Then you can go to bed and—”
“Seriously?” He staggered.
I reached out to grab him, but he backpedalled as if I was the one with the history of hitting people, not my ex.
I froze.
He coughed and ran his hand over his mouth, scratching at his five o’clock shadow that’d grown in after a long day at work. “That is…” Shaking his head, he shrugged as if I’d stripped him of all his strength. “That’s so nice of you.”
Why did that single sentence rip out my heart?
Why did he look as if I was the first to ever offer him a home-cooked meal when I knew all the old ladies on this street adored him? Surely, some of them would’ve dropped off a casserole at some point?
No…
Whenever I’d seen Zander talking to Josephine or Beverley, he was the one doing something for them. Fixing their lawnmower or teaching them how to buy groceries online.
In fact…had I ever seen anyone do something for him in return?
Would he even accept the gesture if someone did?
All my life, I’d thought he was a little standoffish and remote, but now…now, I saw a man far too willing to hide his true self in order to look after others.
I couldn’t stop my feet from closing the distance between us. I might have lost X to his obsessive need to help people, but I wouldn’t lose Zander too.
I touched his arm.
He hissed as if my fingers burned him.
His emerald gaze snapped to mine, his breath coming quicker. “I-I don’t expect you to, Sailor. Honestly, I can order a takeaway and—”
“Don’t even think about it. I’m happy to take care of you.” Pulling away, I headed toward my house. “Go get clean and relax. I’ll be over in thirty minutes.”
* 36 *
Zander
Dreams Do Come True
I WOKE WITH A BANG.
Launching off the couch where I’d crashed the second I stepped through my door, I looked at my clock. “Ah, shit!”
Two hours.
How had I crashed for two fucking hours?
Sailor!
Had she been round like she said she would?
Had I missed her?
No.
No, no, no…
How could I have passed out? I hadn’t meant to. I’d dumped my keys and satchel, then grabbed a beer and sat on the couch. I’d watched the clock tick its minutes away. After a week of countless surgeries, two stints in the emergency room, one lost patient, three urgent requests from fellow doctors, and countless horrible nights missing the hell out of Sailor, I was one breath away from telling everyone to fuck off.