Page 39 of Unexpected Arrivals

“Yeah, I know the feeling.”

“How did it go at Carol’s yesterday?”

“Actually, after I had another breakdown, I managed to get through most of the living room. I have a few things that I’d like to pass along to Devon if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Of course, I’d love for him to have some of her things. I’m sorry it was hard for you. I can’t imagine doing that for my best friend. I had to do it for a guy from my unit once, and that was hard, but we were only friends, not besties.”

“It is hard, and I appreciate you understanding that.”

“What are you doing today?”

“I’m going to find some boxes and start packing it all up, and then maybe work on her kitchen. I don’t think I’m ready to do her bedroom yet.”

“Do you want help?”

“No, I appreciate that, but I need to do this alone.”

“Alright, just say the word if you want a friend to help.”

“Friend,” I repeated softly. “Yeah, I will.”

He paused. “And just so you know, that comment you made on text wasn’t very friend-zone.”

I barked out a laugh. “Sorry, I think I was still in the haze of a good night’s sleep. I was feeling a little daring.”

“Baby, you can be daring anytime you want.” Devon cried out in the background. “Okay, I gotta go. You have a good day, Davina. I hope it’s a little easier for you today. I know it won’t be, but I’m thinking about you if that helps.”

“It does, thank you, Trevor. Kiss that little boy for me.”

“Can I have one too?”

I blinked. “I don’t know; does Devon know how to kiss yet?”

“Funny,” he joked. “Have a good day, Davina.”

“Bye, Trevor.” I was smiling as I hung up the phone. Okay, so Carol had said he had a sense of humor, and I was starting to see it now. I guess she had been right when she said I would have approved of him.

I sighed and put thoughts of Trevor out of my head as I did a little bit of work.

And that’s how the next few days went. I got a good night's sleep each night, then woke up to multiple texts from Trevor about how many times Devon had woken up during the night. While I didn’t speak with him each morning on the phone, we would text back and forth during the day.

I knew that Lucy was now watching Devon during the day, and I popped down on the first day to make sure everything was going well. Devon was sleeping peacefully, and Lucy went on and on about how handsome and nice Trevor was. Yeah, I already knew those things, and I sure didn’t need her help pointing them out.

During the afternoon, I would work in Carol’s apartment. I had most of it done except her bedroom, and I was hesitant about going in there and doing it, but I only had two more days off and knew I needed to get it done by the end of the weekend. Saturday, I’d be tied up with the wedding, so between today, tomorrow, and Sunday, I would need to get it done.

I stood at the door, taking a slow fortifying breath before I tried to take a step forward. I quickly spun around and walked away. I can’t do this room. I picked up my phone and typed a text to Trevor.

Call me when you have a second. I need help.

It wasn’t two minutes later when my phone rang. “What’s wrong? Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why do you sound worried?”

“Because you told me to call you and that you needed help. I thought something was wrong.”

“I’m okay, I’m just—” I paused, feeling stupid. “I just needed someone to tell me I could do it. I have to pack her bedroom. I haven’t been able to walk in there, much less pack it.”

“Ah,” he replied softly. “I know it’s hard, Davina. I wish I could be there to help. If you want to wait until I get off, I can help you. I only have another hour here, and then I am going to get Devon. I can swing up to her apartment and at least get you through the door.”

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