My jaw drops to the ground.
“Um no, she definitely didn’t mention that. In fact, I haven’t even talked with Nanette in ages. I feel like we had a short conversation over Facebook maybe two weeks ago, but she said nothing about this.”
Susie’s face falls.
“Oh.”
I squint.
“But why aren’t you staying with her? I mean, this is a little weird, right? I realize that I’m in Coleman and my guess is that you attend Coleman U,” I say, staring at the logo emblazoned on her duffel. “But doesn’t Nanette have a place where you can crash?”
Susie takes a deep breath and looks straight into my eyes.
“No, because they’re on an Arctic cruise right now and because my mom just married husband number four, I guess they want some private time. Plus, apparently his giant house is being renovated top to bottom, so I can’t stay there. The dorms are closed, so she promised me that she’d reach out to you.”
I shake my head.
“Figures. That sounds like classic Nanette.”
The pretty woman nods furiously.
“Yeah, right? I’m so sorry my mom didn’t call you first. You must think I’m crazy for just showing up here like this, but I swear, she promised she would bring it up with you. I don’t mean to intrude.”
Susie looks like she’s going to cry, and something in my heart softens. After all, I know her mother all too well, and this is definitely on her mom, and not her.
“It’s okay, really,” I say in an awkward tone. “It’ll be fine.”
The woman wipes at her nose and sniffles.
“No, it’s not. Nanette does this all the time because she just doesn’t get it. It sucks because she has her moments when she really sticks her neck out for me, and I hoped this would be one of them, but I guess that was too much to hope for. Ugh. Now what am I supposed to do?”
Tears shimmer in her eyes as her voice wavers, and I put a hand on her shoulder. I can already feel my heart beginning to crack because clearly, the little ragamuffin has nowhere to go.
“Take a breath. It’s getting dark, and I’m not going to let you sit out here on your own. Come inside and we can talk about this.”
Susie takes a step back, waving both hands in front of her face. “No, no, it’s okay. I’m not your problem and I’ve already taken enough of your time, Mr. Turnbull. I’ll figure out next steps on my own. Don’t worry, things will be fine.”
Then, the pretty brunette grabs hold of her suitcase and starts to roll it away, but I stop her.
“No, it’s fine,” I say, placing my big hand over her small one on the handle of the suitcase. A spark leaps between us, and suddenly, I know my actions are right. “It’s late. It’s dark and freezing cold. I’d never forgive myself if I let the daughter of an old friend sleep on the streets when it’s just one night.”
Of course, Susie staying with me isn’t a great solution, but it’s the only one I can think of right now. Besides, it seems cruel to turn her away when she’s clearly on edge.
“I don’t know,” the young woman murmurs, staring at the sidewalk.
“No, it’s fine,” I soothe. “I live right above this office, so if you still want to make a run for it after we talk, that’s totally an option. But first, at least let me offer you some hot soup.”
She bites her lip, but then nods. “Okay, I’ll come up with you, Mr. Turnbull. Thanks, I appreciate it. I’m going to get through to Nanette asap and make sure she knows the disaster she’s caused.”
“One step at a time,” I grin. “Believe me, I have some choice words for her myself.” Then, I turn and unlock the door to EarthMatters once more before gesturing to a set of stairs leading to the second floor. “After you, mademoiselle.”
That gets a smile from the pretty brunette.
“What do you do here again?”
I nod as we begin clambering up the stairs.
“I’ll tell you about EarthMatters some other time. It’s an environmental advocacy group, and I can talk your ear off about it, but not now. Right now, we just need to get some hot soup in your belly. And in mine,” I add with a grin.
With that, Susie smiles as we stop at the door to my apartment, the tension dissipating somewhat from her shoulders. As I open the door, the curvy girl brushes by me and the delicious scent of strawberry hits my nostrils. My body stiffens instantly with arousal, and I unconsciously tug my jacket down to hide the hardness at my groin. Oh shit. Susie Pelham’s just stepped into my life, and now, it’ll never be the same.
4
Susie
My cheeks are bright red as I follow Ed up the stairs to his apartment. He’s being kind enough, but every ounce of my body shakes with humiliation and embarrassment. I want to scream at Nanette before wringing her neck because once again, my mom has put me in a bad spot. It’s taking all of my control not to turn tail, and in fact, there are only two things keeping me plowing forward: the fact that I have nowhere else to go, and the fact that my mom’s ex-boyfriend is super hot.