Page 72 of Henley

“You know that I moved here because I was seeing Susan, and when we broke up, I found that I really liked it here, so I stayed.”

“Yeah, I know, and I told you as soon as I found out who you were dating that it wouldn’t work out.”

“Yes, you did.” I glanced out the side window. “Thing is, Susan is Roxy’s competitor—or was.”

“Well, shit,” he muttered.

“Yeah, I know.”

“Well, does she know at all that you were seeing Susan?”

“No.”

“Then I would keep it that way. If she already told you that she doesn’t want to know, then you’re off the hook. Besides, she’s moving to Millerstown.”

“Yeah, I know, but I didn’t tell you that I was asked to take a position at the firehouse back in Millerstown.”

His face snapped toward mine. “Seriously? When did that happen?”

“Last weekend. Hunt told me about it.”

“Are you going to take it? I have to say, I’d be a little upset to see you go. I enjoy working with you.”

“I’m not sure what I am going to do. Roxy told me last night that I shouldn’t take the job because she is moving there.”

“Ah, I get it now.” He grinned. “You mentioned that you moved here to be with a woman, and she said she didn’t want the details.”

“That’s exactly what she said. She also told me not to take the job because of her. She told me that no matter what, we’d figure something out.”

“Do you want to take the job?”

“I’d love to be closer to my family, and I have to admit that her being there and me here has its drawbacks.”

“True. So what are you going to do?”

“I guess I’m going to weigh the pros and cons and make a decision.”

“Well, whatever you decide, I’ll be happy for you, but if you are thinking of moving because of her, be sure this time.”

“I hear you,” I replied as we pulled up to the firehouse. “Hey, keep all that quiet. I don’t want it getting up the chain of command, not until I make a decision.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Roxanne

Before I knew it, I was zipping my last suitcase closed. I had four in total that included my business attire, my personal clothes, and any and every toiletry that I could possibly need along with about seven pairs of shoes and three coats.

If it were summer, I’d probably have one less suitcase, but because I’d packed extra sweatshirts and boots, I’d needed the additional piece of luggage. They were all stacked in the corner of my room, as Lee had told me he would bring them down for me.

The day before, my brother and a few of his friends had helped me move out of my small storefront in town. In the back of my new vehicle were the boxes of stuff that I would need to bring with me to Millerstown.

I’d spoken to my new boss a few times this week, and she’d assured me that my office had an ample amount of space for me to bring my own business tools. Although she said that there was a large selection of things, I’d have to go through them and see what was duplicated.

I was doing the last spin around my bedroom when the door downstairs opened, and I heard Lee yell up the stairs.

He’d slept at my house the last couple of nights, and I knew that after he dropped me off and headed back here, I’d miss having him beside me as I slept. How was it possible to get so used to someone in such a short time, and how weird was it going to be that I would be sleeping in his childhood room?

I guess if he wasn’t concerned about it, I shouldn’t be either. He popped his head into the room, his gaze landing on the luggage and then darting to me. “You know you can always come back and get more when you need it.”