Chapter Eight

“You didn’t, really,” Karli answered quickly. “It’s just…I don’t think it would be proper, you and I living together.”

“I get that, and I respect it,” he assured her. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“And I appreciate you for that,” she told him with a smile as she reached over and squeezed his hand.

“Now. I need to form a battle plan. We only bought this house a year ago. Even if I could sell it quickly enough to cover everything, I still owe so much on it that I wouldn’t get very much out of the deal.”

“Have you thought about renting it out?” Jordan asked. “My aunt is a realtor, and she’s always saying she has almost as many clients asking about rentals as she does buyers. I can call her if you like.”

“Do you think that could happen fast enough to help me out?”

Jordan shrugged.

“We won’t know if we don’t ask, Karli. The worst she can say is you’re better off selling.”

“Okay,” Karli said on an exhale. “Let’s call her and see what she says.”

Jordan pulled out his cell phone and dialed.

“Hey, Aunt Kathy,” he said when she answered. “You got a few minutes? We could use your expert opinion.”

“Sure thing, kiddo. What’s up?”

“Gonna put you on speaker,” he told her, and set the phone down.

“So, here’s what we’ve got going on,” he began.

***

“Wow,” Karli said a half-hour later. “I feel better just talking to her. She knows her stuff, huh?”

“Yep,” Jordan said with pride. “She’s excellent. I just knew she’d be able to help.”

Kathy had asked a few questions, and once Karli had provided an address, the realtor had said, “Give me just a second.”

They’d heard the sound of fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard, then, “That’s what I thought. Karli, your place is in one of the most sought-after subdivisions in Arlington. Would not surprise me at all if we wind up with at least four people trying to be the first to rent it from you before the first week is out. And in this market, you would be able to not only make your mortgage payment, but you’d also have a healthy amount left over each month to use for other things.”

They had chatted a bit more, and by the time the call ended Kathy was scheduled to be at Karli’s home the following morning.

“Now then,” Karli said, a smile back on her face, “you ready to tackle the garage?”

“Whenever you are.”

***

It was close to dinnertime when Karli said, “I’m worn out, Jordan. I think the rest of this can wait, don’t you?”

“Agreed,” he said, interlacing his fingers and stretching his arms over his head to loosen up the stiffness in his back.

“Do you want to go out to dinner or have something delivered?” he asked her.

She considered for a moment.

“Chinese food?”

“Sure thing. I’ll call it in.”

As they filled their plates forty minutes later, Karli announced, “I’ve decided to move in with Sarah.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she confirmed. “I know my parents would love to have me there, but it just doesn’t feel right. I am too old to be running back home. You know? I mean, I know they don’t see it like that, but I do.”

“That’s understandable,” he said.

“Hey. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings earlier. I really do appreciate your offer. But I just… think it is best if we don’t live together. Besides, the last thing you need is a pregnant roommate cramping your style with the ladies,” she teased.

Wow… why did I even say that? she thought, then began to blush.

She quickly rose from her seat and moved to the kitchen counter so he wouldn’t see her suddenly flushed face.

***

He watched her, stunned into silence.

Okay, that came out of left field. To be fair, how would she know I don’t date much? I have never let her close enough to get to know me, he realized. Doesn’t really matter though. I don’t want anyone but her…

Think of anything else, dude, anything, before she turns around.

Jordan cleared his throat.

“Um. Yeah. No worries there,” he managed. “Work, and training. Keeps me busy.”

“I seem to remember you told me that before,” Karli observed as she busied herself at the cabinet reaching for a glass.

“I did. And it’s still true.”

“Don’t you get lonely?”

Nope, nope, nope. Do not go there. Just because she opened that door… Just don’t.

“I guess,” he answered, as nonchalantly as he could. “On occasion.” 

You’re killin’ me, honey, his brain summarized.

“Oh,” Karli said, and the strange conversation lapsed into an even more uncomfortable silence as she poured herself some tea and returned to her seat.

***

Finally, Jordan stood, carried his plate and fork across the kitchen and placed them in the dishwasher, then said, “I guess I should be going.”

“You don’t have to on my account. I like the company. I thought maybe we could watch a movie,” Karli shared, and watched his eyebrows twitch for a split second and a flash of something she couldn’t identify in his eyes.

It was gone before she could analyze it closely.

“I…like spending time with you, too,” he answered, after a long moment of gazing at her intently. “But it’s getting late, and I want to get a run in.”

I wish I knew what he was thinking right now, Karli thought, her own eyes widening a bit. He gives nothing away.

“Oh. All right,” she said, disappointed. “Will you be here tomorrow when Kathy comes?”

“If you like.”

“Yes, I would.”

“Then I’ll be here. You won’t do this alone. That’s what I told you, remember? And I meant it,” he finished softly, with that unfathomable look in his eyes again.

She saw him to the door, resisting the impulse to kiss his cheek again, and gripped the door a bit tighter than necessary as she watched him smile at her, then walk down the driveway and climb into his truck.