Sasha: Yeah … too bad.
Chapter 19
Addy
Theemailhitmyinbox with a happy little chime before I’d even brushed my teeth.
Hey Adelaide! So sorry — plans changed and we won’t need you after all for this upcoming project. Hope you understand!
I didnotunderstand. I stared at the email for so long, my phone locked itself. Unlocking it again, I hoped the words might rearrange themselves into something useful.
Alas, they did not.
This was the third freelancing gig cancellation in fourteen days. By this point, it felt less like bad luck and more like the universe was playing a joke on me. A cruel, minimalist bit where the punchline was always ‘lol never mind’.
I rolled onto my side and did the math in my head, which immediately went off the rails because my brain hates numbers and loves catastrophizing.
Okay. Rent was due in ten days, and I hadn’t had a steady income for over two months, ever since the fuckingGregincident.
There was the regular gig walking Princess and one remaining pet-sitting job which might still evaporate if the cat “decides it likes the neighbor better.” My savings could generously be described as symbolic.
I flopped backwards, limbs stretched out like a starfish and stared at the ceiling, eventually pulling the covers tighter around me.Well, fuck.
Princess splashed her paws through the puddles left by last night’s rain. Her fur was wet at the tips and glistened in the late afternoon sun. The familiar smell of wet dog and asphalt wrinkled my nose as I tugged gently on her leash.
Honestly, she didn’t give a fuck. I wish I had as much chill as this furry monster.
My thoughts had been circling non-stop in an unstoppable, downward spiral.
As her owner’s house came into view, I could see him in the doorway, looking as awkward as ever. He was fiddling with the edge of his sweater vest as if he didn’t know how to exist outside his mother’s kitchen.
Total Momma’s Boy.
“Oh! Hey,” I called, jogging up a few steps with Princess plodding along beside me.
He smiled faintly, a little tight around the edges. “Hi, Adelaide. How’s she been?”
“Good. Perfect. Chaos incarnate as usual.” I laughed and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. I faltered for a moment, remembering the chaos currently consuming my life.
His brow furrowed. “Are you okay?”
I gave a nervous laugh, the kind revealing more panic than reassurance. “Uh … I mean, yeah, fine, totally fine, except … I just found out I’ll probably have to move apartments and, well, now I have to move, like,everything, and the packing, and boxes, and sorting, and also … Why iseverythingI own suddenly so heavy and why is my life like a Jenga tower, I just—”
I trailed off, breathless, realizing I’d gone into full-on verbal vomit mode. Princess leaned into my leg, probably judging me.
“Do you need help?” Eric asked quickly.
I blinked at him. “Uh … no! I mean, that’s so nice of you. But I can handle it. I’ve got this.” I waved one hand dramatically, trying to erase the tiny tremor of anxiety I could feel creeping into my voice.
“I can help,” he insisted, taking a small step forward. “Boxes. Packing. Moving. Mommy always says I’m … efficient.”
My laugh was breathless as I waved him off again. “No, really, I’ve got it. I’ve moved enough times to qualify for professional packer status or something.”
Eric didn’t retreat. He simply nodded slowly, the eagerness in his posture making me grin a little. “Professional or not, moving is hard. I could help. I like … helping.”
I sighed, my hands dropping to my sides, and looked at him properly for the first time. He seemed so earnest, so awkwardly eager to make life easier for someone else, and I had to fight the urge to laugh and pat his head.
“Really,” I said finally, forcing a smile. “I’ve got this. But … thanks. I mean it. Really.”