I know she doesn't like me as a brother or a parent or a friend.
"My parents bought this place before I was born. Mortgage is almost paid off. And it's cheap. Based on the value from nearly thirty years ago." And they had good life insurance. My dad was careful before he was anything else.
"How cheap?"
"I can cover it in a week of work, easy."
"Oh. Good." She presses her lips together. "You probably know already."
I shake my head. The Harts didn't explain much. They didn't have to. I get it.
"They want to stay in Jersey. Permanently."
That's a knife in my chest. I can't imagine how she feels.
I turn the car on and pull onto the street. "I'm sorry, Kay."
"Thanks. I... I don't know. I guess, if they gave me the choice, I probably would have stayed here. But I hate feeling like I'm not in control of my life. And I miss Grandma. She was my best friend when I was a kid. Still is."
"You can stay as long as you want."
"Yeah?" Her fingers skim my wrist. "That won't get in the way of your... relationships?"
"My what?" I arch a brow.
"You used to date a lot. Not as much lately."
Not for the last few months, give or take. Not since she found her way into my brain.
"I wouldn't want you to feel... deprived."
"Deprived?"
"You know what I mean." There's this tone to her voice. One I can't place. "You're a young guy. Prime of your life. I'm sure you want to be having fun."
"You saying Ikea isn't fun?"
"I don't know. We aren't there yet." She leans back in her seat. "Do you still date?"
"Why?"
"Don't friends talk about this kind of thing?"
Yeah, technically. Dean and Walker brag about their conquests. Ryan... well, everyone knows where Ryan stands. "Do you date?"
"Sometimes. You know Em and her double dates. You?"
I can't tell her it's been awhile. That will encourage her. But I've got to say something. "There's a lot going on right now."
"Like?"
"This."
"This just happened."
"Manning is selling the shop."
"Oh." She runs her fingertips up my arm. "Brendon, I'm sorry. Will you have to go somewhere else?"