Page 50 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

Jamie accepts them. “Thank…”

“Hey bitch.” Molly appears on the stairs. “Who are those from?”

The blue haired girl squeezes past Molly and trots down the stairs.

“I’m not sure. Come on in.” He leads the way. Pulling a tiny envelope from the bouquet. “They’re from Nathan.”

“Ooohhh.” She grins and bats her impossibly long fake eyelashes. “Apparently we have a lot to catch up on.”

“He brought me a few things yesterday and hung out for a while.”

“Hung out?” She repeats, arching a brow with a speculative tone. Salivating to verify the dirty details she’s imagining.

“No. it wasn’t like that.” Jamie pulls a brass vase from under the sink. “He picked up my prescription and brought it over. Then he changed my bandages. We ended up having lunch and watching a movie.” Unwrapping the fragrant bundle and dropping the flowers into the vase. “I fell asleep.” He shakes his head, filling the brass vessel with tap water from the sink.

“You had a hot man here.” She waves her arms at the room. “Wrapping your thigh, and you fell asleep?” Twisting the cap off the bottled water in her hands and sipping. “Something is wrong with you.”

“I know. I’ve tried telling you that hundreds of times.”

They both laugh.

“We’re actually going on a date next week.” He fusses with the flowers, primping the bouquet at the center of the little butcher block island.

“Good!” She turns on her heel and scans the room. “So, this is your place?”

“We’ll, Andrew’s.” Jamie moves around her. “Have a seat.” He waves toward the living room. Plunking down onto the sofa.

She sits in the black leather armchair next to the fireplace, crossing her legs. Her eyes are still examining the decor. “This place is really cute.”

“I really like it. Andrew has good taste.”

“How have we known each other for so long, and I’ve never been here?” She swigs more water.

“I don’t really invite people over.”

“Except for the hot nurse you just met in a nature reserve.” She winks.

Jamie chuckles. “Apparently.”

“Where are you going on this date? A bathhouse?” She giggles at herself.

“You’re hilarious.” Jamie can’t hide a crooked smile. “I don’t know. He’s planning it.”

“So, it could be a bathhouse.” They both speak in unison. Laughing with each other.

“How’s work?” Jamie shifts the subject.

“Quiet.” Molly shrugs. “You’re not missing much.”

The front door clicks and swings open. Andrew walks through with a handsome silver haired guerilla of a man in tow. “Hey Jamie. How are you doing?”

“I’m good.” Jamie smiles.

“This is Kurt.” He presents the beautiful bulky Canadian. “Kurt, this is my roommate Jamie, and…” he pauses, looking in Molly’s direction.

“I’m Molly.” She hops up off the chair and bounces over to shake Kurt’s hand.

“Sorry. I knew that.” Andrew pinches the bridge of his nose. “My old brain glitched.”

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