Page 36 of Love Me Not
I couldn’t argue the nice guy part. Not only had he insisted on waiting with me for the locksmith, he’d also insisted that I wait in the warm truck while they worked the lock, and then claimed that Larry offered the service free of charge. As if I didn’t know they’d made arrangements for Trey to pay him later.
Reading lips was an odd skill of mine.
“I don’t dislike him,” I had to admit. “He’s growing on me. Like a fungus. I just didn’t expect him to know so much about me.”
“Not disliking him is big for you. Did you two talk then?” Before I could answer, she said, “Don’t pull Milo’s tail, baby.”
I assumed that was meant for Noah. “Trey stayed with me while I waited for a locksmith to come open my car. I locked the keys inside today.”
“Again?”
“It’s been over six months since the last time.”
Yes, this was something I did often. I considered keeping the extra key in my purse, but if I ever locked the keys and the purse inside, then I’d really be in trouble.
Rolling down Mansfield Boulevard, I had to slam on the brakes to avoid getting t-boned. “It’s called a stop sign, not a pause sign, jerk.”
Becca sighed. “You know you can never drive Noah anywhere, right?”
“I’m an excellent driver. It’s these idiots who are the problem.”
“Your skills are not the issue. Your mouth is.”
“I wouldn’t say things like that with him in the car.” It wasn’t as if I had no control at all. “For crap’s sake, pick a lane already,” I barked at the sedan in front of me, which was riding the yellow line.
“Why don’t I believe that?” she said. “Anyway, it was nice of Trey to stay with you.”
“He says I need more adventure in my life. Am I boring?” The man was giving me a complex.
“I don’t think you’re boring.”
She was my best friend. She had to say that. “I’m adventurous, right?”
“Well…”
Quite the telling answer. “Well, what?”
“You used to be. But that isn’t a bad thing,” she assured me. “We’re growing up. We’re in our thirties. Look at me. I spend most of my time covered in spit-up and washing sleepers. Heck, my most exciting purchase lately was that thing that puts dirty diapers in neat little bags. Adventure is for the young.”
We weren’t on the verge of retirement, for heaven’s sake. “Thirty-three is still young. And having a baby is a total adventure. I don’t even have plants.” Mental crisis in full swing, I pressed a hand to my forehead. “Dang it, I’m completely boring. Why didn’t someone tell me?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” she said. Not something you tell a drama teacher. “We’re all boring. This is life. Those people climbing mountains and jumping off cliffs are still doing laundry and scooping litter boxes. Don’t let them fool you into thinking their lives are any less mundane than ours.”
Maybe we both needed to get out more. “You think your life is mundane?”
“Yes.” Becca grunted, then I heard Noah coo into the phone. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Having little man around made it hard to be unhappy about anything. “I bet Noah doesn’t think you’re boring.”
“He doesn’t think Aunt Lindsey is boring either.” I heard another voice, and then she said, “Jacob says dinner is ready. Are you good?”
“Yeah, I’m good.” There was still plenty running through my mind, but she deserved to go enjoy her meal without worrying about me.
“Okay, sweetie. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” The call ended as I pulled up to a red light.
Living alone meant I could do what I wanted when I wanted without having to please anyone else. And without any noise. My apartment was small and cozy and quiet. After talking to Becca and hearing the buzz of her little family, the word quiet shifted to empty.