Page 95 of Home With You

"Having that stuff doesn't mean I'll want to be friends with them."

"I know, but those are the people you need to hang out with." I push the covers back and get out of bed. "Mind if I take a shower?"

"Go ahead. It's yours whenever you want it. Same with the washer and dryer. You want me to go back to the tent and get the rest of your clothes so you can wash them?"

"Maybe." I glance around for my jeans. I find them on the floor and pick them up. "Or just wait until I'm done showering. I'll go get them myself."

"I might as well get them while you're in there."

It's not worth arguing about so I nod and say, "Okay."

He comes up to me. "About what you said earlier. How I need to find other friends? It's true, but that doesn't mean things will change between us. Even if I get out there and meet people, you and I will still be friends. I'll still be showing up in the alley trying to help you and you'll still be telling me to get lost."

I smile. "Sounds about right."

His hand wraps around mine. "I like you, Raine, probably more than I should. More than you want me to. That's not going to change."

It will. He just doesn't want to believe that yet. But it will. When he makes new friends, starts going out with them, meets a new girl he likes, everything will change.

21

Raine

After the shower, I go out to the living room just as Miles is getting back.

"Any special instructions?" he asks, holding my clothes up. "Or should I just toss them in?"

"Just toss them in. And hey, thanks for doing that."

He heads down the hall to the washer while I go upstairs to get dressed. I put on the same clothes I wore yesterday since my other ones are now in the wash. I didn't bring extra clothes because I didn't think I'd stay here last night. I'd planned to sleep in the tent, but the thought of going back there just wasn't appealing when I had a warm soft bed waiting for me at Miles' place. And I didn't want to leave Miles. I'm getting attached to him, which I know is bad but it's how I feel. I tell myself it's because Gladys is gone so I've made Miles my replacement until she's back. But I know that's only part of it. My attachment to Miles is because I care about him, maybe even love him.

"Raine?" Miles says from the bottom of the stairs. "You dressed?"

"Yeah, what do you need?"

He runs up the stairs to the bedroom, his phone in his hand. "Just got a text from Zoe. She's going to stop by the tent today to get more of Gladys' stuff. She asked if we want to meet her there."

"Is she bringing Gladys?"

"Not sure. I'll ask." He texts Zoe and waits for her to text back. "She said yes and that she wants to see you. I assume she means Gladys."

"Did she say what time?"

"Noon, but she wants us to confirm we can be there."

"Tell her yes."

He texts her, then walks up to me and gives me a hug.

I hug him back. "How'd you know?"

"How'd I know you needed a hug?" He hugs me tighter. "I could tell. I know you think I don't know you, but I do."

"I know you do. I find it annoying."

He chuckles but keeps me in the hug. "It's going to be okay."

"Maybe for Gladys but not for me."

---