Page 5 of This Time Around
“Rebecca Splendid.”She held out her hand as she reached me.“Nice to meet you, Cooper.”
“Thanks for having me.”I extended my hand, surprised by not only her warmth but the firmness in her handshake.It was so unlike all the women I spent time around who daintily held out their slim and faux-tanned fingers, expecting brushes of lips against them or a gentle wiggle.“I appreciate you letting me hide out here.”
“Yes, well…” her eyes drifted off to the left before returning to me.“I’m pleased you can be here.”
She said it sweetly.I didn’t believe her for a second.
I dropped her hand and grabbed two handles of my luggage, my duffel bags already slung over my shoulders.“So, is there somewhere I can put these?”
I moved to head toward the house in front of me, not even thinking before now that for next three months this woman and I were expected tolivetogether, when she stepped in front of me, abruptly blocking my way.
“There’s a guesthouse.It’s out back.I’ve prepared it for you.”
“Oh.”My eyes jumped to the small little home and back to her.“Of course.”
Because she was married.Obviously, I wasn’t going to be living in their home, and while a small burst of disappointment pinged in my chest at the thought of not living in the beautiful home, the guesthouse was a much better idea.
Privacy.It was exactly what I needed and what I hadn’t had in months.“Great.Thank you.”
