Page 43 of Here and Now
He’s wearing a baseball hat backward, and the way he’s squatting right now gives a really good view of his ass.
Not that I’m looking.
Because I’m totally not.
I mean, maybe a little, but just because Maryanne mentioned it, not because I do think he’s incredibly good looking and I might be developing a stupid crush on the guy who is kind, thoughtful, and makes me smile.
However, I’m not going to ever admit that out loud, and as a sister to a brother, Eloise definitely doesn’t want to hear it. Growing up, I always had to listen to my friends go on and on about Quinn. It was nauseating. First of all, he was my brother. And second, just ewww.
“He’s also absolutely not your type,” Eloise says, shuddering a little.
Oh, this is interesting. I listen a little closer and stop looking at Miles’s butt.
“What, he doesn’t like girls who are single?” Maryanne asks, raising a brow.
“I think you mean he likes girls who are stable.”
Maryanne laughs. “Touché.”
Eloise turns to me. “Maryanne has been relentlessly flirting with Miles for so long it’s become a joke.”
I grin. “I’m sure he loves it—deep down.”
“See! I’m starting to think it’s the male population instead of my terrible taste,” Maryanne notes.
I’d tend to agree with her since my experience would support that theory. I didn’t actively look for a terrible guy. In fact, he never showed any red flags until they all went flying at the same time.
“Miles is nothing like the guys you date,” Eloise informs her.
“I know, that’s why I just admire him from afar. I’m pretty sure I’d get bored of his goody-two-shoes attitude and being nice and all that.”
Eloise sighs heavily. “Well, there are not many men like Miles, and I’ll just say that whatever woman he ends up with is going to be extremely lucky. He’s a good one.”
“And he’s hot,” Maryanne reminds us.
“Anyway, I’m not even sure what I’m saying at this point. I’m pretty sure I just complimented my brother, so that should tell you how fucking exhausted I am.”
“Is Cora sleeping in longer increments yet?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No, that girl is up every two hours. During the day, she’ll push it to three, or she tried for four yesterday, but I’ve been forcing her to nurse on schedule during the day with the hopes at night she’ll sleep, but ... it’s not working.”
I remember how absolutely miserable I was right after Kai was born. I never knew what tired was until he came. It made matters worse that I was pretty much alone until Ashton came. She was a godsend and helped me through the first week and a half before she had to go back home. I remember being so exhausted I would just cry, because I had no energy to do anything else.
“She’ll get there,” Amari encourages. “The first few weeks arethe worst.”
Eloise yawns. “I know, but ... I’m older this time, and it just feels so much worse. Ethan literally is nonstop with wanting to do things. I don’t know how that kid functions on that level of energy. I sit down, he needs something. I cook, he hates it. I clean up, he destroys it. I close my eyes while Cora is finally napping, and he’s screaming and begging me to do something. No matter what I try, he’s just always in my hair, and I know it feels worse because I’m so tired, but ... I just needsleep.”
I can’t imagine what she’s feeling. Doing it with just Kai was hard, but at least I could sleep when he did.
“If you want, I can keep Ethan overnight after work,” I offer. “He can have a sleepover, which I know Kai would love, and since I’m off the next day, he can just hang at the house. You can sleep or whatever you need to if that helps.”
Eloise’s eyes fill with unshed tears. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. The boys can play, which will keep Kai busy. I wasn’t planning on doing anything but clean a bit. I can take them to the bike park if you want too?”
“You are an angel, Penelope. An absolute angel. That would be ... amazing. Gran is coming on Friday to help a little, and I could sleep ... oh, I don’t even know what to say. Thank you.”
I smile. “It’s nothing. It helps me too. Kai will love having his friend over, and the two of them can keep each other busy.”
