Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Another nod.
“Don’t look now, but we’re being stalked.” I nodded to the side of the house where the gray cat sat watching us.
Lars smiled and took a bite of his sandwich. Roast beef, mustard, cheese, tomato, and lettuce. Comfort food was the best. Then he tore off a bit of meat and tossed it to the feline. I’ve never seen an animal move so fast. Or look so happy.
The messenger from the forensic document examiner had already picked up the document. But it would be two weeks before her report on the divorce certificate would be ready. A bummer since patience had never been my thing.
“What’s the plan for removing the wallpaper and carpet?” I asked.
“Mateo and Connor will be on-site tomorrow to help with those jobs. This afternoon I’m going to measure some of the siding that needs to be replaced. Maybe take a look at that front step that’s a little loose.”
“You’re a useful man.”
A grunt.
“So what have you done with your life in the last six months?”
“What have I done?” He raised a brow. “Let me think...worked on this cool houseboat that a friend bought. That was fun.”
“Nice.”
“And I’ve been doing some hiking.”
“How athletic of you.”
“Went on a winery tour the other weekend. That was okay.”
“That sounds like a date,” I said. “Who’d you go with?”
“Just a friend.”
“And you’re such a friendly guy.”
He gripped the back of his neck. “I forgot how much you like to bust my ass.”
“Oh now, don’t feel special. I do it to everyone.”
“I don’t know. Seems like you were always pretty sweet to—”
“Do not say his name.”
For a moment, he said nothing. “What about you? What have you been up to?”
“My aunt passed soon after the last time I saw you. That was hard.”
“I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice.
I nodded. There were a lot of things you could say about losing a loved one. But there wasn’t a single word that would bring them back. “Work has been good. Busy. This place has taken up most of my time.”
“Must be strange, dealing with all the debris from someone else’s life.”
“It is,” I agreed. “There’s a lot of history here. I’m the third generation of our family to live in this house. No one but me is really interested in any of it. Guess that makes it easier in some ways, deciding what to do with it all. What to keep and what to rehome. But it’s sad too, you know?”
He just watched me.
“Are you close to your family?”
One side of his mouth turned upward. “Yeah. I’m the oldest of three. My sister’s married with two kids down in San Diego. I share a condo with my brother.”
“You live with your brother? I didn’t know that. Are you enjoying it?”
“I am.” He gazed around the little yard. “We have a couple of investment properties together. It’s all part of a business plan we’ve been working on for a while. Eventually we’ll get sick of living in each other’s pockets. But for now everything’s good.”
“That’s great. I’m glad.”
“Me too.” Something started buzzing and he pulled out his phone. The expression that crossed his face... I couldn’t read it. “Excuse me.”
“Sure.”
Then he was up and out of his chair, walking away. “Hey, man. How’s London? What time is it over there?”
I stared at him as he wandered around the side of the house out of listening range. Not that I wanted to hear a damn word. Shame on me for relaxing for a moment and forgetting. Lars and the Ex were tight and had been since he moved in next door at the age of eight. No way could I ever trust someone who had such appalling taste in besties. It was a fundamental flaw in his character. There was no getting past it. Therefore there was nil chance I would ever marry or divorce him. Guess Lars was right about getting the document examined, after all.
A total waste of time and money. End of story.
Three
I was sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee when two pickup trucks arrived the next day. The cat was crouched at the other end of the porch with the bowl of milk I’d left for her. It seemed rude not to offer her something to drink too. We discussed the weather for a while, but she didn’t have much to say. She mostly flicked her tail, watched the occasional car go past, and kept an eye out for birds. Despite the early hour, I’d already styled my hair in loose waves, done my makeup, and dressed in black linen shorts and a black knit top with a square neckline and cap sleeves. Why else had God given me boobs if not to use them?
“Susie,” said Lars. “You look nice.”
“Thank you.”
“Damn nice,” enthused a young white man with spiky hair and dimples.