Before Forever (Sharing Space #6) Read Free Page A

her horrible, just misguided. Remember, parenting doesn’t come with a rulebook.”
     
    My mother had good points, but I still wasn’t in the mood to hear it. I changed the subject to the restaurant while I rinsed and then shredded carrots into the salad bowl. “Michael has already lined up two local musicians who will play in the restaurant on alternating Saturdays. The new kitchen appliances are going to be installed next week. They’ll have to be closed for a day, which Uncle Troy isn’t too thrilled with, as you can imagine.”
     
    My mother chuckled. “I’m sure he isn’t. How is he taking to entering the digital age?”
     
    “We’ve explained our plans for Foursquare and giving discounts to people who check-in for the first time, rewarding the location mayor with a free dessert whenever they dine. Then for Instagram and Foodspotting we’ll start using a special HSH hashtag to encourage photos of the dishes. I’m going to help Crystal manage their Facebook page, posting specials, sharing photos, that kind of thing. Over the summer she’ll bring on some part-time help, probably a high school kid from the church, who can assist with that stuff. Anyway, Uncle Troy just did a lot of grunting and shaking his head. He said he’s just happy he won’t have to deal with all that ‘internet nonsense.’”
     
    She laughed again. “That sounds about right. I’m really proud of you, Chloe, helping out your uncle this way.”
     
    “I’m just glad he’s listening. Finally.” I glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Ma, I gotta go. I want to straighten up before Patrick gets home.”
     
    “Okay, sweetie. Talk soon.”
     
     
    ***
     
    “Leave them.” Patrick stood behind me while I placed our dinner dishes in the sink. He kissed the back of my neck and l leaned into him. “ It’s our last night together,” he said, “the dishes can wait.”
     
    Lights dimmed, candles lit, we snuggled on the sofa and I tried hard to remember every bit of how it felt to be in his arms.
     
    “Sixteen weeks.” I said wistfully.
     
    He kissed the top of my head. “Four months. Sounds better. Plus, you’re going to come out and visit for your birthday.”
     
    “It’s still going to feel like forever. We should probably start making up for loss time now, you know.” I ran my hand under his shirt and felt his muscles tense under my touch. I planted kisses where my fingers had just been, going lower. He groaned and cupped the back of my head.
     
    “Wait. Chloe, wait.” I ignored him and started to unbutton his jeans. “Seriously. I’m going to regret this, probably, but hold on, babe. We need to talk about a few things before I go.”
     
    I sighed and sat up. “Fine. If you’d rather talk— ”
     
    “No, trust me,” he said, sitting up as well. “I’d rather not, but we need to. It’s important. I just didn’t plan to have this conversation like this.” He waved his hands towards the lit candles on the coffee table.
     
    “Okay. You’re scaring me.” I reached over and turned on the lamp on the end table. “What is it?”
     
    “Well, you know I’ll be making a lot of money on this project.”
     
    I nodded. We hadn’t discussed his salary at all, not what he made on the show or how much he’d make on the movie. I’m not stupid. I knew he’d been making more money than he’d made working at the gym, but his finances were his business, just like my finances were mine.
     
    “While I’m gone I want to cover the full rent each month.”
     
    “What? Why?”
     
    “Because I can afford to and I want to.” He reached out and held my hand.
     
    “I don’t need you to take care of me, Patrick.” I wasn’t angry, just slightly embarrassed. “Does it seem like I need you to?”
     
    “Not at all. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but I want to take care of you. I’m going to worry about you while I’m gone and don’t even say anything. I’m going to worry. That’s just the way it