Page 29 of Unexpected Love
“I’m at the firefighter’s apartment.”
“Uh, and you’re calling me?”
My eyes roll, because of course she wasn’t paying attention when we had this discussion earlier.
“Oh yeah, you’re babysitting. And quit rolling your eyes.”
“I left my planner downstairs, and I’m bored.”
“So snoop.”
“Lissette. I can’t snoop in the man’s house.”
“Why not? I would.”
Of course she would.
“I heard that.” She laughs.
“I didn’t say it out loud.”
She laughs harder. “Jules. Why are you really calling?”
“I told you. I’m bored.”
“Okay. Well. I’m in the middle of trying to seduce Tom. So I’m gonna let you go. Search his drawers or something. Smell his laundry. You know, if it makes you feel a little naughty… that’s what you should do. Also, I hired a new kid, should be starting in a few days. So your shift will be covered and you can move on to the new shop.” She drops the last without compunction, like she’s not just rocking my world and freeing me of any other responsibilities than getting my business open.
“You’re a weirdo. And also very rude. And thank you. I’ll stop by and see you tomorrow.”
This forced downtime should feel relaxing. But after a few antagonizing moments with nothing to entertain me, I find myself wandering Cal’s apartment.
I do need to familiarize myself with the place if I’m going to be staying here every third night. I already know his well-stocked kitchen. But then there’s his organized laundry. And in the den, everything is in its place. The man is tidy.
For being such a wreck when I saw him those first few times, he’s been working overdrive to keep his living space tidy and neat. There’s no clutter or mail stacks.
The walls are a light gray; his furniture is a dark charcoal. His kitchen is mostly white. He’s got one recliner and a couch, both in gray, and a massive television hangs on the wall over a plain bookcase.
Charlie’s room is neat, minimalistic with a simple crib and dresser. I can imagine that in the amount of work he’s done since I saw this room last, it’ll be covered in toys sooner rather than later.
Otherwise, there are no pictures nor many personal items at all in the apartment. The only pop of color comes from a basket of mostly pink toys in the den.
Noting the simple throw blanket on the back of the couch, I figure that’s where I’ll spend the night, but there’s no pillow. I can’t sleep without a pillow. That’s my excuse as I wander into his bedroom. Lissette was right; it feels a little naughty being in his space without him here. But this room must be where he’s spent most of his time.
On that king-size bed, probably watching—I check the wall—another massive television. This room has at least some color variation. Instead of gray, his comforter is a deep navy.
I stick my head into the bathroom, and where Charlie’swas full of toys, multiple baby soaps to choose from, and two different kinds of lotion, his space is simplistic and clean. One bottle of shampoo and a single bar of soap.
I get the feeling that Cal would do anything and everything for this little girl. He’s already provided so much more for her than he allows for himself. It’s apparent that he’s already head over heels for her.
Feeling like a creeper, I grab a pillow from the bed and rush back to the couch. I plug in my phone and pull up the Kindle app on my phone.
But as my head hits the pillow and I settle in to read, I’m surrounded by his scent. And as I drift off, it’s him I imagine as the hero of my book.
Chapter 12
Cal
“How’d she do today?” I ask as Nancy hands a subdued Charlie off to me.
