Page 60 of Just a Distraction

“I slept in a crib when I was a baby. Does that count?”

She giggles. “Absolutely. You’re practically an expert.”

“Okay, then. I’m on my way.” But I don’t want to hang up yet.

She talks to Callum, kissing him while she gets him out of his car seat. Sounds like the phone is wedged between her shoulder and ear. I hear her breathing as she hefts Callum close to her,and I imagine him sitting on her hip. I hear her footsteps as she walks up the sidewalk to her front door.

“You still there?” she asks through the phone.

“I am. Do you have the tools you’ll need? My brothers have some we can use.”

“Please, Milo. I’m a single mom. Of course I have tools.”

“Okay, okay. Sorry for making assumptions.” I chuckle.

“It’s okay.” She hesitates, lowering her voice. “Just because I have the tools doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like the help, or the company.”

The wistfulness in her voice makes the decision for me.

“I’m on my way, then. Can’t wait to see you.”

“Can’t wait to see you, Milo. Thanks.” I can hear her moving around her apartment. It’s an appealing thought, thinking of her at home. I like thinking of her anywhere doing anything, but there’s something so familiar—comforting—thinking about hanging out with her at home like I’ve been doing, helping her with Callum, playing card games, watching TV. I’d give up any other weeknight activity for that.

“Random question,” I say before hanging up. “Do you lock your apartment door?”

“Of course I do. I have a kid.”

“Sorry, that makes sense.”

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s just that, I sort of like you two. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. I want you to be protected.” I knead my forehead. I know things are supposed to be light between us, so maybe I shouldn’t stay stuff like this. That doesn’t mean I’m going to take it back.

She doesn’t answer, making me wonder if I’ve overstepped. “Sorry if that was out of line. I just want you to be safe.”

“It’s not out of line. It’s actually sorta great.”

“I can’t help it.”

“Should I install a security system?” Her voice holds mock anxiety. “Maybe I should hire Henry to be my bodyguard.”

“That’s an excellent idea. I feel better already.”

“Ha. Never. I’m my own woman, dude. I’ve been protecting myself since I was a kid. My siblings and I figured out how to do that. We had passwords we’d say through the door to each other to be let in since our mom was at work a lot of the time.”

Rose’s independence appeals to me, and I love her strength. Still, again, this feeling of protectiveness surges through me. “That’s a good idea. I want a passcode.”

She laughs. “How about a two-word phrase? The thing that you should not have sat in seven months ago.” She’s holding back a laugh, her voice teasing.

“Fine,” I mutter. “I hear you loud and clear.”

I finish up things at work, log off my computer, and get caught by a coupIe of my brothers on my way out, so by the time I reach her apartment complex, I’m dying to see her.

Who am I kidding? I was dying to see her the moment I woke up this morning. There are several cars parallel parked out front, so I have to park a ways down

the street.

As I near her door, I hear a lot of noise coming from her apartment—people talking, kids squealing and running around.

---