I want to be mad, but the smile on my girl’s face is worth every cent.
“You don’t owe us a penny,” Catalina says as she takes in Avery’s gleeful squeals.
“He doesn’t?” Niro says, as Miles says, “I don’t?”
“You’ve done so much for Niro over the years, it’s our pleasure to do this for you.”
“Ah, fuck. Fine,” Niro says. “She’s right. And it’s for my niece.”
“Thank you,” Miles says, but I can tell there’s a lump in his throat.
During a quick tour of the house, I’m told there are new towels hanging in the bathroom and new navy sheets on the king-sized bed in Miles’s bedroom, which is orderly and smells faintly of paint too.
When we head downstairs, I’m told by Iris that there is healthy food in the fridge and cupboards, and to let her know if there is anything we need for Avery, as she and Spark can run out and get it.
Everyone is so kind and thoughtful, I find it almost overwhelming. My own family members are supportive enough, even though my mother can be prone to criticism. The moms on the school run are also helpful, grabbing Avery whenever I was tied up in a deadline or letting her sleep over if I had plans with friends.
But nothing on this scale.
It feels like a big deal.
It feels permanent.
Saint’s and Spark’s hands are still spattered with paint when we catch up with them.
“Thanks for doing this,” I say before Miles has the chance.
“Blame Little Chick,” Spark says, tipping his head in the direction of Iris. “She told me I’ve gotta quit smoking because of the baby. Not in the house. Not in the club. No bringing the smell of it home with me. When I was telling her about Miles bringing you and Avery home, she said Miles’s house probably had a smoker’s smell.”
“Hence why I asked if they’d decorate the place, air it out, get rid of shit that might smell. And I haven’t smoked since before the accident,” Miles says.
“Which reminds me,” Spark says, grabbing something off the shelf behind him and handing it to Miles.
It’s a box of nicotine patches. Miles pulls one out and slaps it on his bicep. “I’ve quit. Before you use that as a reason not to stay. Just might need a bit of help quitting for good.”
I stroke my fingertip over the patch. “You’ve thought of everything.” I look through the window to where Rae is up to her elbows in dirt as she plants around a seating area; meanwhile, King carries in and drops a rattan chair wrapped in plastic.
“I just want you to be comfortable. But there’s one last thing I need you to see.” Miles takes my hand and leads me to a room just off the kitchen.
It’s a small sunroom decorated in warm ivory, and in it are a desk and an ergonomic chair. There’s a cream rug on the floor and a comfortable-looking oversized armchair with green cushions on it.
And by the look and smell of the room, everything in here is new. My eyes sting at the kindness. My office at home is make do and mend. Upcycled things. But this ...
“I know you have a book to start, finish, or edit or something. So, I thought you could use this space. Don’t want you to stop doing what makes you happy.”
“You win.” I sigh.
Miles tugs me to him. “What does that mean?”
“You win. We truly are in a relationship. And I promise to really think through what it would be like to be here, to embrace your friends, and be a part of this permanently with you. And to think about what I can do to show you just howin thisI am.”
Miles whoops, then coughs. “Fuck, my ribs. Come here, babe.” He cups my cheeks and kisses me hard. “Looking forward to having you in my life and on my bike and in my bed. However that looks.”
My resolve is tested ten hours later, when the unfamiliar house creaks in a way that shakes my rattled nerves.
The club members eventually disappeared, which meant I could unpack and put all of Avery’s things away in her new bedroom. While I did, Miles grilled chicken outside for dinner, and we pulled out a salad that Iris had left in the fridge.
Miles got Avery to bed after a quick bath in a tub that was deeper than my own while I cleaned the kitchen.
