Page 32 of That Next Moment
I glanced at the clock on the monitor. Four hours.
Clay: Pick you up at 5.
I gave my Tesla a little bit of juice. I took her through a car wash and vacuumed out in between the seats—not that they were dirty—and took a rag to remove any spot of water left on her paint job.Man, I love this car.It may not be gettingmein the right direction, but hey, self-care happens differently for everyone, and for me, it was my car.
I went back to the apartment and made a small lunch, hoping Milo would still be there to keep me company until I went to pick up Ophelia. Instead, I found some cash and a note in his scratchy handwriting.
Don’t lose your savings. I’ll be at Madeline’s. See you later. -Milo.
I chuckled and grabbed the cash, folding it up and placing it in my wallet. I needed to start keeping track of all Milo has given me. I knew the man wasn’t made of money, but he was still helping as best he could. Free rent, free meals, letting me use his cards every now and then. Hell, the man even offered to put me on his phone plan. One day, I knew I would be able to pay him back for everything, and hopefully give him more in return.
A little after 5:00, I pulled up in front of Madeline’s house. Milo’s truck sat in the driveway, and they were on the porch when I walked up. Madeline had a huge smile on her face, and Milo had one single eyebrow raised.
“What?” I asked as I approached.
“She changed. She looked fabulous anyway. I mean she always does, but shechangedfor you,” Madeline teased.
I shook my head. “I changed, too.” I motioned to my body. Jeans and a t-shirt. Casual. Comfortable.
Madeline bit her bottom lip and swayed her body, bumping into Milo.
I furrowed my brow and looked at Milo. “Thanks for the cash. I promise—”
“I know, you’ll pay me back. Where are you guys heading?”
“Now that I can’t tell you. Wedding stuff.”
“You’re planning the party?” Madeline’s voice raised as she sat forward on the bench, Milo’s arm dropping from behind her.
The front door opened, and Ophelia stepped through. I suddenly forgot how to breathe, the air leaving my lungs simply refused to return. She was radiant. Simple and ready for the warmth the evening would offer, wearing a muted orange button-down blouse that fit loosely and jean shorts, a white belt standing out over the muted colors. Her hair, which had been straightened the last few times I’d seen her, was wild, falling over her ears and shoulders with large gold hoop earrings poking through the dark contrast of her. My stomach fell, and my lungs continued to fight for air.
“Do you really think we’d tell you if we were planning your party?” Ophelia looked at Madeline, sticking her tongue out through her teeth before turning to me. “Are you ready?”
I cleared my throat, reminding myself that I was still human and needed to function. I nodded, another cough coming through my throat. I looked at Milo, whose eyebrows were at the top of his forehead. “Yeah.” I looked back to Ophelia. “Let’s go.”
She flipped her head back, her hair bouncing as she placed her sunglasses on her nose.
“Bye, Phe,” Madeline teased.
“See ya, Clay,” Milo mumbled.
I gave him yet another look, one that was a mix ofhell yeahandsave me. He pursed his lips and gave me a slight smile. I stuck my hands in my jean pockets and followed Ophelia to my Tesla, rushing to open the door for her. She deserved to be treated like a queen. I ran around the back of the car, avoiding the looks from Milo and Madeline as I climbed in the driver's seat.
“Got the Tesla charged?” Ophelia asked.
I started the car, once again loving the soft sound. “It was time. She needed to be driven.”
“How long has it not been driven?”
I pulled into the street and shot Ophelia a look. “Shehasn’t been driven in—” I stopped myself. I was going to say months. “Well, since I got here.”
I could see her eyebrows raise behind her sunglasses. “Well, I’m happy to be her first passenger. Now, the Piano Bar?”
I wiggled my eyebrows and focused back on the road. “The Piano Bar.”
Chapter Fourteen
-Ophelia-