enough room.”
I smile at her and nod, remembering clearly how we used to run through this place and Adele’s next door. We never complained of being cramped. We loved being here.
Birdie watches me continue to sort through the clothing. “So what happened after I left last night? Did Sexy Trouble try anything funny with you?”
I laugh and shake my head. “No.”
“Good. I was worried, you know.”
I lay another dress down in the donations pile. “I seriously doubt you have anything to worry about when it comes to Ace. He was unbelievably helpful last night.”
“Yes, he was. It takes a very special person to clean up someone else’s vomit like he did. The man either has a stomach of steel or he’s got it bad for you.” She pauses for a long moment. “Did he say why he was at the bar last night?”
I frown, not wanting to repeat any of the intimate things that were said between Ace and me last night. “No, and I was too out of it to even think about asking him. Besides, he was being so helpful, I didn’t want to be rude and seem unappreciative.”
She sighs. “Helpful or not, I think it was weird how he was there last night but didn’t bother to approach you. You need to get to the bottom of what’s going on with him.”
As much as I hate to admit that my overly paranoid friend is right, it was odd that Ace came to Angel’s but never said a word to me, but later told me that I seem like I need him. I need to get to the bottom of all that.
“You’re right. Now that I’m sober, I’ll ask him about that the next time I see him.”
This seems to appease her, because she gives me a curt nod. “Good, because I saw how the two of you looked at each other last night, and I think it wouldn’t hurt to dig into his past before you go and do something crazy like fall for a man that you know absolutely nothing about.”
“Who said anything about falling for him?” My stupid nose twitches, and I catch myself doing it.
Birdie cuts me off with a this-is-me-you’re-talking-to look before I can say another word. “I know you, Iris. I know the look, plus your fucking nose is twitching again. Two words for you: Tanner Lawrence.”
I cover my face with my hands and groan. “Oh, God. You know how I feel about mentioning him.”
She grabs my elbows and pulls my hands away from my face. “I do, but I also remember how fast you fell for him back in high school only to find out what a rat bastard he really was right after graduation. I don’t want you to invest your heart into some other creep without knowing what he’s really like first.”
I sigh. “Not every guy is going to screw every available woman within a ten-mile radius like Tanner did. Besides, relationships are built on trust—without that you have nothing.”
“Still, promise me that you’ll check him out before you go falling in love with him.”
Her concern for me is sweet, and I love her for it, but I don’t share her same suspicion of my sexy new neighbor.
After Birdie leaves to head to work, the rest of the afternoon drags on. Digging through Gran’s closet both makes me smile and cry. On one hand it’s nice to remember her, but on the other it guts me knowing that she’s never coming back—that I’ll never have another moment with her on this earth. That’s what hurts the most, knowing that the one person who loved me more than anyone else is gone.
I glance over at the alarm clock on Gran’s bedside table, and as if on cue, my stomach rumbles at the sight of it being almost two in the afternoon. I make my way into the kitchen and begin throwing ingredients into a pot to make myself some spaghetti. Just as the steam begins to waft through my tiny space, I notice Ace out front tinkering with his bike again.
The memories of how he took care of me last night flood my brain. He was so tender. I never pictured that from him at all. He took remarkably good care of me. He did the kinds of things Gran did for me when I was sick, and it was comforting having someone do that for me. It shows he cares, and makes me like him even more.
I owe him