Page 116 of Time Stops With You

“Not if we take it together.”

Her eyes drop to my wrist brace. “What will Cullen say if he heard I had you lifting this heavy thing while injured?”

I grit my teeth because I couldn’t give two claps of my butt cheeks what Cullen will say about anything I do right now. “Where did your cousin go?”

“He had to work. I’m trying to call another cousin of mine, but he’s not picking up.”

I lower my head and massage my temples. “Why don’t you wait in my apartment?”

“Are you sure?” She looks uneasy. “I don’t want to infringe.”

“It’s alright.” I gesture for her to precede me.

Ashley wheels the trolley into my small living room and looks around. “You have a cozy place.”

“Thanks.”

“Is that your son?” She points to a picture of Josiah.

“My brother.”

“Oh, I thought you were a single mother.”

I pick up that she’s relieved that I’m not. “What’s wrong with being a single mother?”

Ashley’s eyes widen. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just… Cullen is very clean and he likes the quiet. Children aren’t known for having either of those traits. That’s all I meant.”

“Right. Sorry. I’m the one who’s overreacting.”

“It’s fine. It’s fine. I have kids of my own, so I know how protective we can get over them. Do you have children?”

“No, it’s just my brother, but he’s living with me, so you can say I’m his mom while he’s here.”

“Ah.” Her smile widens. “That’s sweet of you.” She glances around the room. “If you don’t mind, I’m dying to know how you and Cullen met. He never leaves the house, and he only ever works. Was it through an online dating app?”

“I’m not dating Cullen.”

“Er… right.” Her eyes dart away from me. “I know how much you young folks hate labels. Forget I asked.”

“That’s not?—”

“Is it okay if I clean a few things? I won’t go into any room you don’t want me to or touch anything you don’t want me to.It’s just that Ronan already paid me for the job and I’d hate to accept his money without doing something.”

Since I’ve very recently been put out of a job, I get it. “Sure.”

“Is there anywhere you’d like me to start?”

“Would you mind… helping me spread my bed? I washed the sheets today, but I can’t put them back on.”

“Of course.”

Ashley makes quick work of my bedspread. She also sweeps and mops the floor in my room, which hasn’t been done in ages.

Next, she turns her attention to my living room. The woman works so quickly and so thoroughly that I can’t help but watch her. If I’d been this good at my job, I probably would have owned my own cleaning company by now.

Ashley gets to work in the kitchen and prepares a meal that I scarf down in three minutes flat. She washes all my dishes and then her cousin returns to help her bring the trolley down.

“It was nice meeting you, Nardi.” Ashley waves to me from the hallway.

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