Page 125 of Reading Between the Lines

Back home, Tallus suggested using the money to rent a bigger and better office space. When I questioned where I would live, he’d suggested we find an apartment and move in together. “We don’t need two places. Do we?”

Never in my life had I considered a live-in boyfriend, but when all I could do was stare, flabbergasted, he’d asked, “Do you love me, Guns?”

“More than life,” I’d said.

So we rented a bigger apartment and found a decent office in a nicer neighborhood.

When Nana had fallen ill two weeks ago, and the bitter feud between my dad and I got worse and worse by the day, Tallus had made one more suggestion.

I never thought it would happen since she was in her nineties, but her pneumonia was gone. Long before her dementia stole her mind, Nana had signed papers giving me power of attorney, not my father.

Until now, I’d had no means of caring for Nana since money was tight, and the business had been failing. She’d been stuck in my childhood home with my horrific father, who was verbally and mentally abusive to his aging mother. He might not lay ahand on her like he did me, but I knew from Birdie how unhappy Nana was.

With Delaney’s gift and Tallus and I sharing an apartment and bills, things had changed. We’d scored a handful of decent paying jobs in the past few weeks, and since Tallus had finally finished his PI training, we’d become a solid team. Baby steps forward. He’d even earned a spot on the new sign.

With life settling down and finances less fraught, I’d done some research and found a quiet nursing home where Nana could spend her final days in peace. I could worry less and visit more.

The nurse exited the room with a smile. “We’ll need the doctor to sign off, but she’ll be going home today.”

I thanked the nurse as she moved off to her next patient.

Tallus took my hand and weaved our fingers together. “So, boyfriend, wanna buy me a latte before work?”

“I do… boyfriend. Wanna kiss me first?”

“I do.” He went up on his toes and joined our mouths. I wasn’t sure there would be a day when kissing Tallus wouldn’t set off fireworks in my core. With Tallus, I had more than I ever expected.

Love filled my chest.

Fear, joy, and triumph.

It was crippling at times, but it also sent me soaring.

Him and I.

Together.

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