he waited. And waited. “Should we toast something?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. Maybe this is the best way to explain,” she said, reaching inside her vest and withdrawing a folded piece of paper. She passed it to him.
He opened it, keeping his eyes on her face. Then he looked down and saw a notice of auction on foreclosed property—and the address was hers. He looked up. “Nora, what is this?”
“It was posted on my front door. I think we both knew something like this would happen eventually—I didn’t own that house. I didn’t even rent it. It was probably abandoned a few years ago.”
“Auctioned next Friday?”
She nodded. “I’m sorry I can’t give you notice on leaving my job. Will you be able to get by without me?”
He was on his feet. “Where are you going?”
“Well, the notice forced a decision and maybe that’s a good thing. I’m going to take my dad up on his offer. I’ll move to Stanford. Well, I’ll move in with him until he can secure family housing for me, which might take a couple of months, given the holidays and everything. I’ll go back to school. It’s a very generous thing for him to do.”
He was standing over her. “And what about us?”
“Us?” she asked. “I’m not sure what there is about us. I don’t think you’re ready for an us, Tom.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Please, sit down, you’re making me uncomfortable.” When he went back to his chair, she continued, “You were pretty worried about me taking all that kissing too seriously.”
“Come on,” he said. “You must have felt what I felt.”
She reached across the table and touched his hand. “Listen, it’s okay. I understand—my situation and all, it’s a lot to consider. Kissing without commitment—that’s much easier to handle. I’m okay about that.”
“Okay, look,” he said, rubbing his hand over his face, completely unsure what he was going to say next. “It’s a little intimidating, I admit that. Not because there’s anything wrong with having a couple of kids—they’re nice kids. It’s not about you—more about me. Like I should take some time to really consider whether I’m up to handling them. I don’t mean handling…you know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean,” she said with a smile. “I understand. And I don’t want you to think I was expecting anything more. I’m being honest.”
“You weren’t? Expecting more?”
She shrugged. “If by some twist of fate we ended up knowing each other longer, much longer, things might have evolved, but we haven’t known each other long and—”
“A few months, Nora. Not like a day…”
“I know,” she said. “I know. I really enjoyed it.”
He leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know what to say. All of a sudden you’re leaving. Without warning.”
“I’m afraid that’s how it is, not really my idea. But I’m grateful, you know? At least I don’t have to be afraid—Jed’s a good man. The more I get to know him, the more I realize how lucky I am that we found each other after all these years. My girls will have a grandfather and I’ve watched them together. He’s good with them. He’s like he was with me. He’s so gentle. He has the patience of a saint.”
“Have you already talked to him about this idea?”
She nodded. “I had to know what I was going to do as soon as possible.”
“Did you ever think about talking to me?” he asked.
“Oh, Tom, I couldn’t put that on you. You know—this whole place is so wonderful—long before that notice was tacked to my door, people offered me help. Space. Security. Noah told me to never worry. Adie said she’d take me in, even though she lives in a tiny house and there are three of us. I have no doubt you and Maxie would have been willing to help me, give me a place to stay. But I still have this crazy idea I’m going to somehow make it on my own…”
“But your dad…”
“Is my father and he feels he has a lot to make up for. Not only that, he keeps reminding me that if we’d never been parted, these are the things he’d want to do for me anyway. He tries so hard to convince me it’s acceptable—it’s not extra stuff given out of guilt.” She shook her