Page 149 of Nine Week Nanny

I pull away first, stepping back up to my door. “Goodbye, Pope."

"Goodnight, Sloane."

He doesn't move to touch me again. He gives me space, like he promised.

I turn my key in the lock and slip inside, not looking back as I close the door. Through the wood, I hear the soft click of the SUV door shutting, followed by the engine's hum fading into the night.

I lean against my closed door, trembling. Everything inside me is torn wide open. The careful walls I've been building for months have crumbled to dust.

Seeing him again, just one time, undid it all.

I walk upstairs to my apartment. But the space is suddenly different than when I left here an hour ago. It's emptier somehow.

What am I supposed to do with this? With him showing up, with everything he said, with the way he looked at me like I'm still the most important thing in his world?

I slide down until I'm sitting on the floor, knees pulled to my chest.

Three days. That's how long I have to decide if I want to open that door again.

FORTY

Pope

The Holy City, that’s what the concierge called it. From my window, I see why. Church spires pierce the skyline, glowing against the night and dwarfing the shorter buildings scattered around.

My laptop screen shows spreadsheets I've been staring at for an hour without processing a single number. I reach for my phone instead.

Val answers on the second ring. "Well, if it isn't my favorite son."

"I'm your only son." The familiar banter loosens something in my chest.

"Details, details. How's Charleston? More importantly, how's Sloane?"

I lean back in the chair, rubbing my eyes. "Charleston is Charleston. Old buildings, good food, humidity that makes everything seem a little damp, even in the winter."

"You're stalling."

"I saw her. We walked through the park near her place."

"And?" The hope in Val's voice is almost painful.

"And nothing. She listened. She didn't slam the door in my face. But she made it pretty clear there's no 'us' in her future plans."

Val clicks her tongue. "You showed up out of nowhere after months of silence. What did you expect, a parade?"

"I expected exactly what I got." My reflection in the window looks tired. "At least she knows the truth now."

"Give her time. You're staying the weekend, right? Have you thought about what you'll do if she doesn't call?"

I haven't allowed myself to consider that possibility. "Work."

"Of course." Val sighs dramatically. "Heaven forbid Pope Carrigan acts like a tourist. Have you considered one of those horse-drawn carriage tours? Or the ghost walks?"

I laugh despite myself. "Can you picture me on a ghost tour?"

"That's exactly your problem. You need to loosen up."

"How's Lennon?" I change the subject before she lectures me further.