Glory sniffs around the room, acting like this is her first time here but she has been here many times before.
“Cale, I cannot thank you enough for this.” I step to him, wrapping my arm around his middle.
“No thanks needed, sweetheart. We are family, and family helps each other out.” He kisses the top of my head.
“I know.” Looking up to him, I smile. “I am glad my aunt found you.”
He smiles and it reminds me of McSteamy from Grey’s Anatomy: handsome and sweet, yet with a touch of cockiness to him. He is a high-school football coach, so I guess he has to be cocky to a degree.
“The bedroom is done, my girl. What do you both say we order some pizza?”
“I could eat,” I reply, and Cale nods.
Aunt Cass puts the order in, while we get on with unboxing as much as we can. Glory takes to her bed, watching us as we flit around the large open space. Having an open plan living areawas always in my plans for the future, so this makes my home body heart happy.
It takes another three hours to finish unpacking and putting my things in place. I know it will take some time for it to feel like mine, but being here is the right thing for all three of us.
With full bellies of pizza and soda, I am finally moved in, ready to spend my first night alone in my new home.
“You will call if you need anything, right?” I nod to her, with tears in my eyes.
“I will. This is a good thing,” I tell her, sniffling.
“It is, my girl.” Hugging me tightly, Aunt Cass kisses the top of my head, squeezing me.
“Come on, baby. She is a good girl and will be fine on her own. I have faith in her.” Cale winks at me.
With a nod, she lets me go, and then I am in Cale’s arms.
“Be safe and I love you. See you tomorrow when you come home for lunch. I am making your favorite.”
“I love you too and yes, I will be there with bells on. No one is stupid enough to turn down your fried chicken and homemade coleslaw.”
My stomach rumbles at the thought of how much I love this meal she makes for me. The spices she adds into the crispy chicken coating is out of this world.
“Lock up after we leave. You are safe here; Rodney will not let anyone in who is not authorized, but always keep it locked,” Cale says and I nod to him.
Blowing them a kiss, I lock the door behind them.
Turning to face the room, I lean against the door, taking in my new home. It is a far cry from what I grew up in, but at the same time, it is something I would pick for myself if I could afford it on my own. I owe Cale big time.
I potter around the condo for an hour, putting my stamp on the place. Smiling as I take it all in, I giggle as I fall onto the sofa, the material soft under my palms.
My stomach grumbles, moving in makes you work up an appetite. I know that I do not have many food options here, so I think takeout for my first night in my new home is called for.
“Let’s take a walk, baby,” I call to Glory.
Her head snaps up, and she huffs, then whines in her usual high-pitched tone.
“No, we are going. I am hungry. Let’s go.” I slip my feet into my sneakers, and collect my purse from the kitchen island. “Glory, now.”
She yaps, answering me back, letting me know that she does not want to leave right now. She turns her head away from me like she is being a petulant teen and damn, it is like I live with one most days.
“Really?” I shrug my shoulders. “Okay then, I will not need to stop by that pet store I saw on the drive over and get you those treats that you like so much. Saves me money.” I head to the door and I hear the clacking of her nails on the hardwood flooring.
She reaches my side, and does a full body shake, then tilts her head to look at me. She lets out a whine that sounds like ‘fine,’ I clip her lead onto her collar, and we leave. She sits at my feet in the elevator because we are on the tenth floor; it makes me giddy that I am so high up.
The higher up you live, the stronger that sense of wealth and importance becomes—it has always been that way in society. The doors open and she walks out into the lobby, remaining at my side. She may have fought with me to leave the new place, but she will still be on guard in her new surroundings for a while yet.