Page 21 of Eligible Best Friend

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it that hard.” Three years working for the same company after the course was done. Since the course doesn’t start until September, I’d be committing to at least four years—to both this company and Fargo.

Four years.

I came here with no plan, but four years sounds like more than a plan. Four more years living next to Mrs. Rosenthal. Four more years renting. I can hear Dad spouting his financial advice when I graduated from college.

Why would you throw money away on a rental when you can start building equity?

Instead of throwing my money away, I moved in with Samuel. Into the house he’d shared with his ex-wife, into the same bedroom.

“Just keep it in mind. We want you to stick around.” Mitch lifts his chin toward the two incoming crew members leaving the locker room.

As he launches into the details of our shift and the unusual ticking he thinks he heard from the engine, I let my mind drift. A paramedic. Ford did the accelerated class when he got out of medical school. He’s almost done with his three-year contract. He also told me I should go the same route. I was too new and feeling over my head during my first few months on the job to listen then.

Getting my job to pay for the course while guaranteeing work for the near future is a good deal. I’d even be able to work part-time while doing classes.

We want you to stick around.

Since Mitch has his eye on the manager position, he’s got the company’s best interests in mind, not just mine. I’m a little tired of people with ulterior motives making decisions for me. I’ll table that discussion for now.

Unfortunately, that leaves his earlier advice to talk to Ford.

How would I do that? Wait until our next shift on Thursday? No, my private life has encroached on work too much already.

So that leaves calling him or stopping over, but since he doesn’t answer his phone half the time unless it’s Cass or his mom, that leaves going to his place.

That won’t be awkward at all.

* * *

I changed into a pair of jean shorts and a pink T-shirt before I left work. But as I’m walking up to Ford’s door, I can’t help tugging at the hemline. Maybe I should’ve put on something nicer? This was all I had and it’s just fine. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. I’m here as a friend, worried about our friendship.

The door looms before me, a battered wood door that Ford is saving up to replace. He’s put so much money into his childhood home, upgrading plumbing, fixing the fence to keep the neighbor’s dog from crapping in his yard, and replacing appliances as they died from old age, that the door is low on the priority list.

Maggie’s so proud of all the work he’s done. She’s renting an apartment only a few blocks away. Ford is tied forever to Fargo with this old house, but Maggie Monroe can pick up stakes and move whenever.

Another reason to admire Maggie. What she went through was so much worse than me, but we’re both carving our own path.

I open the screen door and knock, then clench my hands together. This is Ford. I shouldn’t be so nervous about visiting him. It’s just a talk. All I have to ask is Hey, are we cool?

A shriek sounds from the other side of the door. Oh, crap. Jayden’s still over. I assumed that Cass wouldn’t let Ford have him for more than a couple of hours, and since this is when he’d normally be off work, now she’d conveniently not need him to watch Jayden.

Crap, crap, crap. Maybe he didn’t hear the knock. Can I leave without him knowing I was here?

The door flies open. Concern fills Ford’s gaze. “Lia. Is something wrong?”

Because I’m not usually here unless his car is broken down. That’s still coworker status. I don’t just drop by.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you. I can come back another time.” A phone call is going to be more awkward after this, but I’ll have time to think of something. Something work related. Something definitely not about that kiss.

Gah! I feel wrong even thinking about it when his son is right behind him.

“No, no. Actually, this works really well. Cass is supposed to be here in a few minutes to pick him up and I told her we were dating.”

That answers the “Are we okay?” question. He’s still on board with the fake dating.

This means that he really only took off work to watch his son and our kiss didn’t affect him a bit.

Well, I’ve got my answer. “Are you sure you want me around when she comes?”

---