Page 98 of Second Chance with Seth

“Yeah. There’s a small place in Maple Street, and another in Beech Road.” I tap on the screen, going to my browser, and open the pages I’ve saved, showing them to Everly. “I think the one in Maple Street is better,” I say, showing her the listing, where there are six or seven pictures of the interior of the house. “The living space is open-plan, and I’m more used to that than having separate rooms. I think the bedroom looks bigger, too, don’t you? And even if…” I glance up and see that she’s not looking at the images at all, but is staring at me. “What’s wrong?” I ask, lowering my phone.

“You really wanna move back to Hart’s Creek, and live somewhere else, other than here? You don’t wanna live with me and River?”

“You know I do. More than anything. But I already explained, I can’t…”

She pulls away from me, almost falling off of my lap, and although I drop my phone and grab hold of her, she’s stiff in my arms.

“What’s the point?” she says. “If you did this, it would be no different to you living in Concord.”

“Yes, it would. It would be very different. I’d be here, not twenty minutes away, and while it certainly wouldn’t be ideal, and it’s not what I’ve got in mind in the long term, I’ve still gotta earn your trust, Everly. I know that.”

“And you think you can do that if we spend every night apart?”

“Who says we’re gonna do that? I can stay here sometimes, if you want me to. But I also understand that you might sometimes want some space. You might wanna give yourself some time to get used to having me around again. We can do this at your pace, babe. Obviously, dating might be tricky with River, but we can take it one step at a time. I’m happy to do whatever you want, Everly… just as long as I’m doing it with you.”

Chapter Nineteen

Everly

My head is spinning, my mind in a whirl.

He’s made so many changes to his life – for me, and for River – I’m struggling to take it all in. Sure, I was dubious when he first started telling me about his plans, but I think anyone would agree they sounded crazy at the start. Now I understand what he’s got in mind, I like the sound of it. I like the sound of looking after River together, rather than doing it all by myself. I love the idea of being able to spend more time with her, and knowing Seth will cover for me downstairs… and that he’s not having to give up his dreams to do it.

It’s just the living arrangements I’m not so sure about.

No. That’s not true.

I’m absolutely certain about them, and they’re terrible.

I hate the sound of what he’s suggesting. I want him here… all the time, not living somewhere else, and staying over occasionally. The very last thing I want is a half life with him, but I think this is one of those times when showing will mean more than telling and I sit forward on his lap and look up into his eyes.

“Do you mind if we take our first step right now?” I ask.

“Sure,” he says, smiling. “What do you wanna do?”

“Would you take me to bed?”

His smile widens, and he sits forward, grabbing his phone and putting it in his pocket, then holding on to me as he stands. “I thought you’d never ask.”

I chuckle as he carries me through to the bedroom, kicking the door closed before he walks forward and drops me onto the mattress. I’ve barely had time to right myself and lay back on the pillows before he’s opened the drawer of my nightstand, and I turn to see him holding up my vibrator.

“Have you been using this in my absence?” he asks, studying it, as he climbs up on the bed, kneeling beside me.

“No.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you had.”

“I know, but I’ve been too tired.”

He lowers the vibrator and looks down at me. “Are you too tired now?”

“What for?” I ask, wondering if I need to remind him that I invited him in here.

“A demonstration,” he says and I smile, shaking my head.

“If that’s what you want.”

He sighs. “I’ve been thinking about it while I’ve been away,” he says. “Trust me, it’s made for some interesting dreams.”

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