Page 25 of Rousing Renee

When I exited the bathroom, I picked up my phone to see thirteen missed calls from Kelly. I groaned because she was going to be pissed. I called her back, not bothering with just a text.

“You’re alive.”

“I am. Sorry. I guess I needed some R&R. I passed out this morning and woke up moments ago.”

“Good. I forgive you for getting rest. We still need to discuss a few things.”

I heard movement and knew she was going to her laptop. That woman always had it nearby. “Shoot.”

“Tammy’s supposed to be out this week. She told you about the extra month she needed?”

“Yes.”

“Have you decided about selling yet?”

“No. I haven’t been there in months. Makes me wonder if I should cut my losses.”

“You said it, not me.” She laughed.

“Yeah, I know.”

“There are a few people who want to see some major houses while you’re away. What do you want to do about them?”

“If we can schedule them on the weekends, I can drive to them, stay the weekend, and be back Sunday evening. That way, I can get some sleep before class.”

“All right. Promise you won’t burn yourself out?”

“I do. I love doing these workshops, so I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize it. But also, I have to pay the bills.”

“At a place you aren’t living.”

“Watch it, Kelly.”

“I’m never going to lie to you,” she sassed.

That much was true. “I understand. I haven’t decided what I want to do because I do love the place. It’s starting to feel less and less like home, though.”

“I get that, too. What if you start looking for something else in case you decide to move? Then you’ll have options. It’s not like you don’t have connections to get into places off the market to others.”

“Good point.”

“I know.” She began typing, and I already knew she was looking. “I’ll send you what I find.”

“Okay. Anything else?”

“Nope. Everything else is covered.”

“All right. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Night, boss.”

The call was disconnected, and I went into the kitchen to make myself a small cup of coffee to help shift the fog inside my head. I took it with me on my walk to Renee’s apartment. I got there with a few minutes to spare and knocked.

Renee answered the door, and I smiled big. How could I not when she looked so damn adorable. Pink fuzzy pants, hoodie, slippers, black t-shirt that read “don’t fuq with me” on it, and her eyes were lit up. Her hair was in pigtails and her energy was contagious.

“Hey, babygirl.”

She beamed and motioned for me to come in. When I did, she walked up close and put her arms around my waist. Home. I lowered my head so I could rest in how good it felt to hold her. Her hair smelled freshly clean, as did the rest of her.

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