Page 197 of Steamy Ever After

“You’re almost out of shampoo.”

She held her breath, once again trying not to misread the situation.

Groaning, he sat on the bed and laid back, his hands clasped tightly over his chest and his face set in a scowl as he stared at the ceiling. Did he want to be alone?

Unsure why he was acting this way, she lowered herself beside him and curled her body into his. He didn’t pull her close or tuck her under his arm like he usually did. And somehow, the distance of being by his side felt worse than the distance of being in two separate states.

Had she done something wrong? Maybe she called too much? Was this about his show? Had something happened while he was on the road? Maybe he got a negative review.

She had a hundred questions, but he was snoring before she voiced a single one. She left him there to sleep and he didn’t stir for the rest of the night, not even when she came to bed hours later.

She wanted to tell him about the store and her meeting with the attorney. She should update him about the house, so he wasn’t caught off guard when the FOR SALE sign appeared. She needed to think about where she wanted to live. But she actually wanted to know where he wanted to live, so they wouldn’t be far apart. But now, she wasn’t so sure it mattered.

The next morning, when she woke, he was gone. If he kissed her goodbye, she hadn’t felt it. The realtor came by around noon to drop off the sign. During a short walk-through of the house, she pointed out a few sales tricks to help make the property more appealing.

She told Erin how to set the blinds and what to use to make the house smell inviting. Erin took a trip to the farmer’s market for cinnamon sticks and apples, wanting to be prepared in case anyone requested a tour.

She was debating which apples to buy—Granny Smith or McIntosh—when someone called her name.

“Erin?”

She turned and found Mallory pushing a cart in her direction. “Hi.”

She smiled and Erin took in her pretty blazar and dress jeans. She looked down at her leggings and plain parka.

“I never see you here,” Mallory said, glancing at the cloves and cinnamon sticks in her cart and the apples Erin held in her hand. “Are you making pie? I like the green ones best.”

“I’m selling my house. The realtor said I should boil apples and cinnamon when people visit.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Where are you moving to?”

“I don’t know.”

She looked like she wanted to ask something, but only said, “I heard Giovanni started at the lumberyard. You must be happy to have him here on a more permanent basis.”

“He hates it.” The words fell out before she could pull them back.

Mallory looked uncomfortable. Her husband was basically Giovanni’s boss, and their entire family took great pride in the business. “Oh.”

Erin shook her head, backtracking. “It’s nothing personal. It’s just not for him. He wants to be a comedian.”

“Then why is he here?”

Excellent question. As much as Jasper Falls was growing and improving, they still only had one bar that could host any sort of performer, and one comedian wouldn’t keep the locals entertained for long.

“It’s really difficult to get booked,” she explained, unsure if she was sharing personal business where she shouldn’t.

“I’m sure. Well, maybe we can get together again soon. I had fun at the pub with you guys the other night.”

“Sure.” Erin was starting to really like Mallory. “I’ll have Giovanni call Finn and set something up.”

“Great. I better go. I still have to pick up the kids.”

“Bye.” Erin smiled, savoring the sensation of a completely normal conversation with another girl. Did this mean Mallory was her friend? She should have asked for her phone number—No, too much.

She’d have Giovanni call Finn. That was better.

Bagging up some green apples, she wove up and down the aisles, grabbing a few more items before checking out.

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