Page 62 of Just a Distraction

“Yep, Mom’s a manager there now,” Rose says.

“And then there’s our brother, Grant,” Leila says. “I think he’s spending time with his kid tomorrow, so he’s trying to get some extra hours in at his construction job.”

“We’re solidly blue collar,” Eden says, her chin in the air. “What about you? What do you do, Milo? I’m assuming something at Tate International, as well?”

How do I even answer that? I’d love to be able to one day say author, but for now?

“Yes, I work at Tate, too.”

“I’m guessing you don’t work in housekeeping. Your shoes are too nice for that.” Eden’s face brightens in a smile, but she eyes me carefully. “I’m kidding of course. A Tate would never clean hotel rooms. You two sound like you’re from the plot of a rom-com, huh? Something about the hotel housekeeper and the rich guy who owns the place.”

I don’t own the place, and I’m not exactly rich, but I can see how they’re getting the wrong idea about Rose and me. They think we’re too different to be together. I know, in my gut, that’s wrong. I know we could make it work if she’d give us a shot. But I can see the uphill battle that’s boxing us in from all sides.

Before I can respond, Rose pipes up. “We’re not super serious or anything.”

I nod, knowing it’s true, but my middle sinks. I don’t want it to be true. And I’m going to do everything I can to allow our relationship to deepen. I can be patient, but it’s what I want.

“Be careful, Rosie,” Eden says. “Keep it that way. Guys like him don’t stay interested in women like us for very long. You know the drill.”

“I won’t lose interest . . .” I cast a glance at her, lingering longer than I’d planned but not being able to help myself. “If anything, she’ll get sick of me.”

Rose gives me a look while her sisters croon withawws.

She opens her mouth, maybe to tell me I’m crazy or maybe to say something that might give me hope for our future, but Eden interrupts.

“Has Rose told you her harebrained scheme?”

“I don’t think we need to talk about that right now,” Rose says, inching away from me slightly and clearing her throat.

“I just have to prepare him for the fact that you’re not going to be working there forever,” Eden says.

“Well, everyone knows that. It’s not really a forever kind of job.”

“Our Rosie is going to be a nephrology nurse, Milo.” She tilts her head and appraises Rose with a mix of affection and disbelief. “A Hawkins becoming a nurse.” And then I hear the sarcasm. “Can you imagine?”

Rose shifts in her seat, her mouth in a twisted, hard line.

“I’m excited about it,” Leila says. “It’s going to be nice having a medical professional in the family.”

“I’ve had my fair share of medical stuff, because of T.J.” Eden’s gaze goes to the floor, and she pats her baby’s back as she shifts her to her shoulder.

The nephew who passed away must have been Eden’s son. “Rose has mentioned a little about T.J. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s been four years,” Rose says tightly as Eden bounces the baby, not meeting our gazes.

Rose had explained how that experience fueled her desire to become a nurse; how it completely changed her.

Eden’s eyes brim with tears. “He would have turned nine this year.”

There’s a long stretch of time where we’re all mostly quiet, the only sounds coming from the children going in and out of the room.

Finally, I can’t wait any longer to say what’s been forming in my head, itching to be expressed. “I think it’s noble that Rose is going to be making such a difference in the world. I’m really proud of her.”

“Hasn’t happened yet,” Rose’s voice is almost apologetic. “But I’m looking forward to it.”

“Answer me this, though,” Eden says. “How is a single mother supposed to go to nursing school so far from home? I’m not trying to discourage her. But to look at this practically, I don’t know how this is going to work. And I just want to protect her. I’d hate for her to get into it and then have to quit when it gets too hard to manage.”

Rose stiffens. “I’ll manage just fine. Callum’s going to be fine, too. UNC will provide childcare when I’m in classes and my internship.”

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