Page 30 of Cautious Love

She breaks the link, grabs her purse, and walks out the door.

Later that night, I haven’t slept a wink and I hear her come in at 1:30 in the morning and only then does my brain finally give in and I fall asleep.

Shiloh’s been here for a week. We’ve been like ships passing in the night, barely seeing each other. She’s in and out to change, ortake a nap, then she’s back to work. I get it. I work a lot too, so it doesn’t bother me.

But I’ve learned some things, and maybe it’s because I’m living with a woman. Or maybe it’s simply Shiloh. I don’t know. But she leaves things half-done. There was a load of laundry in the dryer. Now, half of it is folded on top, and the other half is still sitting in the dryer.

She made breakfast for herself, loaded her stuff in the dishwasher, but left the pan in the sink. Why not clean it all or fold it all? I’m doing my best not to let it irritate me, but it does, and we still have a while to go before this is all over.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out expecting it to be one of the guys, but it’s my sister June.

June: Are you coming to dinner tonight?

Ledger: That was the plan. Did something change?

June: Yeah, Mom wants to go play bridge with her friends, and I think Dad is out with the guys at Perry’s.

Ledger: okay

June: you are the worst texter in the world. So, do you want to do something?

Ledger: Are there other options than going to the Wooden Cowboy or Perry’s because that’s always what we do.

June: Wow, someone’s grumpy today.

Ledger: No, I’m not

June: that’s what grumpy people say

June: okay so do you want to do something?

The door from the garage opens, and I glance up, seeing Shiloh walk in, wearing her little diner outfit and exhaustion written all over her face. I look back at my phone and the feeling is unusual for me: indecision. I pride myself on my decisiveness. It’s a necessity in my line of work. But right now it’s not helpful at all.

Shiloh smiles, walking past me and grabbing a glass from the cabinet. She fills it to the brim and takes a long drink.

I stare at her throat as it bobs with each swallow, and glance at my phone again.

“Everything okay?” Shiloh asks.

I cough and focus only on my phone. “Yeah, fine.”

Ledger: No, I have some work to catch up on.

June: Dude, you are always working

Ledger: Takes one to know one, Ms. Vet.

June: Yeah, well, I’m running my own business, plus I am the queen of work hard, play hard.

Ledger: Don’t play too hard

June: OMFG CALM DOWN

Ledger: Is everyone still coming for Sunday dinner?

June: far as I know

Ledger: cool