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My eyelids fall shut, a sigh deflating my lungs before I look back at Henry. “Okay, so there is mold in the duct work. What happens now?”

“Well, it depends on what you’d like to do. I would recommend getting a remediation company involved. They will advise whether you should replace all the duct work or have it cleared out.” His brow furrows as he frowns. “You and Matteo shouldn’t be staying here in the house. It’s not safe.”

Well, shit.

“For how long?”

Henry shrugs. “Depends on how quickly the company can get out here.” He tilts his head to the side, sliding his hands into thefront pockets of his jeans. “I would say anywhere from two to four weeks.”

“Shit,” I mutter, the muscle in my jaw tightening as I silently curse the situation. Matteo and I are going to have to find a hotel that isn’t too far away that we can stay at for an extended amount of time. Maybe we should just go back to Starling Ridge and I’ll come back after the entire house is done.

I’m not stupid. I know we can’t stay in the house and I’m not going to jeopardize Matteo’s health. Guilt pricks my skin for staying here this entire time and for both of us breathing in the harmful mold. Matteo’s been exposed to it and I can’t help but feel like a horrible parent for a moment.

“I’m sorry,” Henry tells me with an apologetic gaze. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news.”

Shaking my head at him, I uncross my arms and let them hang at my sides. “No, I appreciate you finding it and telling me. I don’t want to endanger Matteo at all.” I give him a small smile. “The ‘inconveniences’ are just a little too inconvenient, you know?”

“Oh, I get it,” he agrees, nodding. “Life can be full of inconveniences.” He pauses, glancing around the living room for a second. “Do you need any recommendations for a remedial company? I know a guy who owns one, so I can always call him and give him your information.”

“That would be amazing,” I tell him, smiling a little brighter. Relief settles over me. I’m fully capable of making a call myself, but having Henry take that weight from me while I figure out where Matteo and I are going to live is so helpful.

Henry pulls out his phone at the same time mine vibrates in my back pocket. I slowly pull it out and direct my attention to the screen as Henry holds his up to his ear.

There’s a message from Carson and I hate the way my stomach flutters when I see his name.

Carson

Hey. If you’re not busy later, would you and Matteo want to get Italian ice?

Andi

I’m sure he would love that.

Carson

I can come pick you guys up. What time should I come?

Shit. Screwing up my lips, I gnaw on the inside of my cheek as I watch Henry ending his phone call. He walks over to me and I release my cheek, waiting for him to tell me the news.

“I spoke to the owner of the remediation company, Max. He said they can get you in in about two weeks. He’s pretty confident that replacing the entire HVAC system won’t be necessary. If it isn’t, it will be about two weeks from start to finish for removal of the mold and cleaning.”

I stare at him for a moment, processing the information. “So from today until the end of that, it will be roughly a month?”

“Yes.”

Shit. What are we supposed to do for an entire month? We could go home, but then what about Matteo and the hockey clinics? What about him and Carson spending time together?

“Thank you, Henry,” I tell him, ignoring the turmoil that’s running rampant inside of me. “If you’re able to schedule that with him, I would really appreciate it.”

“Absolutely,” he nods. “I’ll get that squared away and then I’ll wait to hear what’s going on before continuing the renovations.”

“This really derails everyone’s plans, doesn’t it?”

“Welcome to tearing into old homes and never knowing what you might find.” He lets out a light chuckle. “I’ll send you Max’scontact information after I talk to him. If you need anything before then, let me know, okay?”

“Thanks, Henry.”

“Can’t we just stay with my dad?”