Page 74 of Tempt

“Hi,” Rose looks between Gran and me, neither of us moving.

I can’t believe how different she looks; how revived and vibrant she is compared to when we dropped her here several weeks ago.

“Oh Rose,” Gran stands, releasing my hand and moving toward her daughter. She wastes no time wrapping her in a hug. “You look so good.”

The two of them converse, while I continue to stare on, trying my best to be optimistic. I hate being so hesitant and yes, I do feel like I’m being a bitch. But then again, I’ve been burned more than once by putting trust in a woman who didn’t deserve it. I don’t trust easily.

We gather Rose’s things and lead her to the car, where I drive while the two of them talk about her treatment and the plan the counselors have made for her.

“I have a weekly session on Tuesday’s at the church. They’ve also set me up with a sponsor that I will talk to daily, leaving the window open for more if needed.”

“That’s great,” Gran seems so happy that it’s hard not to feel her joy. For weeks she has put on a happy face, pretending that her mind hasn’t been on my mother and her progress. She has been worried, masking it with the nightly outings with Wilbur. Now Rose is here, and she can't hide her joy.

“I wish I had the space to make you your own bedroom but—,”

“You will,” I interrupt. “I was going to wait until the house was done to move in with Garrett, but I’ve decided to go ahead and move now.”

“What?” Gran says from the passenger seat at the same time Rose says,no.

“You don’t have to move,” Gran adds.

“I can get my own place,” Rose says in a hurry. I realize I’ve given them the wrong idea and quickly backtrack.

“I’m not moving because Rose is going to be there, well I guess I am, but not for the reasons you think.” I turn into our driveway and put the car in park turning to face them both. “If this was a year ago, and Garrett asked me to move in, I’d have said no without hesitation. Because the idea of leaving you,” I reach out and touch Gran’s hand. “You’ve been my best friend for longer than I can remember. You’ve been my person, the one I run too when I need strength and guidance. The idea of leaving you would have crippled me. But now, knowing you won’t be alone is easier, I couldn’t stand the idea of leaving you.”

“Sweetheart you are not leaving me.”

“I know, but you’ve always been right down the hall, I knew if I needed you all I had to do was yell.”

“And I will still always be right there, all you have to do is yell, or call.” She squeezes my hand. “I will always be right here even after I pass I will be here, looming over you, whispering in your ear how proud I am of you, and how much I love you.”

And I know better than to doubt her.

Glancing at Rose, for the first time I offer her a smile. “It’s really great to see you sober and smiling.”

“I know I have my work cut out for me, and I know that it's going to take time to prove that I’ve changed, but I’ll keep putting in the work. I have no intentions of ever going back to that person I once was.”

“I hope you mean that.”

“More than anything.” And I don’t know what it is, or why, but I believe her.

* * *

It’s been two days of travel and two days of not seeing Garrett. It felt like much longer to be honest and waiting any longer was out of the question.

At just after eleven I pull in next to his truck and turn off my car. Grabbing my bag, I fish out the key to his place and I lock up my car, and walking toward his apartment.

It's dark and I’m quiet as I enter Garrett’s apartment.

Locking up behind me, I place my purse and bag on the floor next to the couch and start down the hall toward his bedroom. I can hear his soft snore, and pause in the doorway looking in at him.

The sheet is barely covering his body, his chest fully exposed and an arm stretched up and tucked in behind his head. His bicep, and arm, flexed, showing the contour of his muscles.

He is beautiful.

He is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

My body reacts to him, an uncontrollable pull, screaming out for me.

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