And no, I didn’t offer to finish off the job.

I was too busy busting out into laughter, and then she followed suit.

“That was a good one, Milo,” I shouted from across the way. “I think I’m gonna use that move someday.”

When he also started laughing, I couldn’t help wondering if maybe Mr. Milo was smoother than we’d given him credit for.***That night, after we dropped Milo back at his house, Amber and I were hanging out in the living room. She was keeping a good few feet away from me on the opposite end of the couch.

“I can’t believe you do that several nights a week. You’ve talked about it, but I had no idea it was so much work.”

“I can handle it.”

“I’m really proud of you. Not that many people can do what you do. It takes a certain personality and a shitload of patience.”

She blushed a little from the compliment. It was fucking adorable.

“Well, it makes me feel good that I can help him have as normal a life as possible. He won’t have independence like you and me. He won’t drive or be able to live on his own, but it’s all about helping him get to his personal best, whether that’s just knowing how to cross the street or getting him to practice waiting in a store line.”

“Shit, woman. No wonder you’re exhausted when you come home.”

“It’s true. Before you moved in, I used to sometimes just crash and go right to sleep.”

“Ah…so, I’ve been disrupting your rest.”

“Yes. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Tonight had been a really great distraction from not having to worry about the dilemma of this upcoming Saturday. I still didn’t know what I was going to do. I decided to test the waters to see if by some chance, she’d give me a clue of what was going on in her mind.

“I was thinking of going to see that new movie about shark-infested waters at the IMAX theater Saturday night, like an early evening show. I don’t really feel like going alone. You think you’d want to join?”

As expected, she looked flustered. “Um…I can’t Saturday.”

I swallowed. “You have plans?”

“Yes. I’m…meeting a friend for drinks.”

“Alright. Maybe another time, then.”

“Yeah.”

God, my stomach hurt. Her cheeks were turning red. I knew she didn’t like having to lie to me. I was a prick for putting her into this situation. But I wasn’t ready to confront her about it now. It had been a long night, and I really needed to think about how I was going to handle it.

We were silent for a while as we each pretended to be paying attention to Jimmy Fallon. She looked guilty, and I hated that I knew exactly why.

“I’m gonna turn in,” she finally said as she stood up. “Thanks again for hanging out with us tonight.”

“My pleasure. I’d love to do it again. If you ever want to take him somewhere that warrants an extra set of hands, I’m your man.”

“Thanks. I’ll try to plan something like that before you leave.”

Before I leave. Fuck, that’s right. I’d be gone by Christmas. For some reason, it felt like I was supposed to be here longer.

“Sweet dreams, Amber.”***Back in my room, once again sleep was evading me.

Kitty was kneading on my abs, her little claws digging into me. Under my t-shirt, it looked like I was into kinky sex with scratches all over my skin. The wrong kind of pussy had done a number on me—the kind that left white hairs all over my bed, too.

I spoke to her in a low, soothing voice, “Kitty, what am I gonna do with you? You gonna come back to Chicago with me? Then, what? Huh? I’m stuck with you? Like for twenty years? You know, we really should’ve discussed this before you got attached. I don’t do commitment.”

“Meow.”

“You’re telling me I don’t have a choice, huh? Okay, you convinced me. I think I’ll keep you.”

This was the nightly ritual. She’d listen to me speak to her ever so quietly, and I’d watch her eyes slowly close as she fell asleep to the sound of my voice. Thank God no one was witnessing this, or I definitely would have had to hand over my man card.

I was just about to turn the sound on my phone off when I noticed a new text had come in.

At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. But no.

It was her.Emily: Saw on your Instagram that you were at Quincy Market today, and I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything else. I can’t believe you’re in Boston. Are you here on business? I’ve been meaning to contact you for a while now. I just haven’t had the guts and I’ve felt ashamed. I’m no longer with Tim. Long story short, I haven’t stopped thinking about you and realized soon after I went back to him that I’d made a big mistake. Do you think you could meet me at the Common tomorrow? There’s a lot I need to say to you. I completely understand if you’d rather not. I figured it was worth a shot to ask. I really miss you and don’t want to miss any opportunity to see you while you’re here.