Page 89 of Wishing for Love

“It is,” Carolina said. “And we are all thrilled and excited. I think I am for that more than the wedding itself.”

“I’m just trying to put one foot in front of the other and get through.”

31

SUCH AN IDIOT

Amonth later, Phoenix came home from work. He was exhausted in a great way.

Things were falling into place. His brother would be starting on the first of June. He’d offered for Memphis to stay with him, but his brother said he’d rather have his own place.

He couldn’t argue with that. The last thing a twenty-four-year-old wanted was to be staying in a spare room next to a five-year-old. Crystal still had the space above the garage and there wasn’t a reason to move her out now.

They didn’t stay together every night. Most times when they were in the same bed together, she got up and left his room or he got up and went back to his before she rose for work.

There was no reason for it other than their stuff was somewhere else.

Elsie had no problem with his relationship so there was nothing stopping them from moving into the same room other than it felt like a rush. Just because they lived under the same roof didn’t mean they had to share a room.

“You’re home early,” Crystal said when she turned for him to kiss her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she said and went back to finishing dinner.

“Uncle Nix,” Elsie yelled. “I want to show you what I did in school today.”

“Let me see,” he said. Only one more week of school and then Elsie would be out for the summer. Crystal would be busier than before, having to entertain the little girl all day long.

They’d already talked about Elsie having friends over or going to friends’ houses, even some summer camps that were half day.

Money definitely wasn’t an issue. He almost felt guilt over his bigger paycheck, then reminded himself that was crazy. This was his creation. Without it and what he discovered and had patents on, none of this would be happening.

Elsie left the room and brought back a picture she’d drawn of the three of them. “That’s wonderful,” he said.

“It’s for your office,” she said. “It’s small enough for you to get a frame for it.”

“I think I’m going to have to get one,” he said. “I’m going to put it in the lab instead.”

He was going to be spending more time in there soon anyway.

“Yes,” Elsie said, doing a little dance.

“What move is that?” he asked

Crystal rolled her eyes. “Something she learned in school. She said her friend Maddy taught her.”

He wasn’t sure he liked the way Elsie’s hips were twirling around, but he wanted to think it was like a hula-hoop and not belly dancing.

“I’m going to take a quick shower if there is time.”

“There is,” Crystal said and went back to checking whatever was in the oven.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked. “You look off.”

“I’m fine,” she said.

But he didn’t believe it.