Sheappeared at the door, arms crossed. “What doesthatmean?”
“Itmeans, I’m not sure I want anything that keeps me from being here.”
Herfeaturessoftenedand her palm pressed to her chest.“You gave up your dream for her?”
“Ohmy God,” I said with an exasperated sigh. “What is it with the two of you? Ialready did.”
“Andyou’ve done it again,” she clarified, and I shrugged. “Oh God, Devin, why thehell are you so perfect?”
“Okay,before you get excited, I’m not giving music up entirely. Richard and I aregoing to work something out, but in the meantime, I’m going to keep thingslow-key.”
Shenodded as her eyes grew misty. “You’re still perfect. I mean, fuck … I can’tbelieve you’re here.”
“Yeah,yeah … you should get back before Kylie gets suspicious,” I warned.
Brookerolled her eyes. “Oh, please, Dev. I leave work all the time to meet up withTrent. I’ll just tell her I had to stop off at a worksite to get a quickie.”
Myface screwed up with disgust. “What? You guys do that shit?”
Shenodded adamantly. “Oh yeah. We’ve been doing it for years,” and then shelaughed. “Oh my God, get it?Doing it,foryears?”
“Yeah,you’re hilarious,” I said with a sigh. “Now, please, go. She’s going to startquestioning shit.”
“Okay,fine, I’m out of here,” she said and turned to leave the room.
“Oh,hey, Brooke?”
Shelooked over her shoulder with a light smile. “Yeah?”
“Thanksfor bringing the key.”
Shenodded. “Thanks for being a good guy, and good luck.”
?
“Ms.Scott!” I exclaimed, approaching the receptionist’s desk at the nursing home.
Startled,she looked up from her crossword puzzle and then, a miracle happened.
Thewoman smiled.
Itlooked painful and horribly unnatural, but holy hell, the woman wasactually smiling.
“Mr.O’Leary,” she said with a small nod of acknowledgement.
“Youmissed me,” I said, pointing over the counter at her, and she shrugged, tippingher head toward one shoulder.
“Ithasn’t been the same around here, I’ll give you that much.”
Mygrin hurt. “I’ll take what I can get.”
“How’syour girlfriend?” she asked, handing me the clipboard to sign in.
“Well,since you’re now smiling in my presence, I guess I can be honest and say, Ithink we broke up,” I said, scribbling my name across the sheet. “But don’t youworry, Ms. Scott. I’m going to get her back.”
“You’repersistent,” she said in her usual monotone, and I nodded, pointing again.
“Damnstraight, Ms. Scott. Some would call it crazy and obsessive, but you have aknack for seeing the good in everything. I can tell.” Her smilefadedand that straight-lipped glare was back. “Ah, there’sthe gal I know and love. I knew you were in there somewhere.”
