Solid Stone Series Book 2

VIOLET

The ticktock of the small grandfather clock softened as I sealed another box. The movers would be here soon.

Damn! My mom’s picture, framed in silver, slipped from a box as I angled it towards the tape gun. My foot shot out, the white rubber tip of my sneaker saving it from a disastrous meeting with the hardwood floor.

Relieved, I smiled as I wrapped it back up in tissue paper. This Saturday morning had me feeling nostalgic.

Hand on my hip, I took a slow tour of my apartment, trying to memorize the things I might miss. The soft sage curtains, the creaky old wood floor just outside my bedroom.

The table—definitely that. It had been the site of many deep talks with my mom and Ann. And that one time with Adam…

My body sparked like a live wire as I remembered how it had moved with each of his thrusts. How his sculpted biceps had tensed each time he gripped the sides.

My mouth was suddenly dry, forcing me to swallow.

Being with Adam was intense, and a little scary too. We’d cleared one hurdle, but how many more were waiting?

My heart fluttered at the thought of him, and now that he’d asked me to move in, I had even more to consider. Did I have the strength, the resolve, to be with someone like him?

We’d taken a big step forward—that was positive. We could face anything together, right? I had to believe that was true.

I loved him like summer, like a hot breeze, a warm sun. It never seemed to rain when he was around. His eyes even looked bluer lately. Maybe the fog was lifting? Was there hope for us?

Shaking off my thoughts, I pulled my cream-colored tablecloth from the table. It used to cover my mom’s kitchen table. I smiled again. Thinking of her always made me smile.

After folding it neatly, I packed it away. The apartment buzzer sounded.

“Hello,” I said into the intercom.

“Hey, it’s me.”

I buzzed Ann in and heard the door click open. We greeted each other at the door, both of us dressed in black yoga pants, a T-shirt, and a hoodie.

After a long hug, she stepped inside. “Coffee?” I offered.

“Yeah, that sounds great.” Ann looked around the nearly empty living room. It was missing all the things that had made it mine.

Handing Ann a cup of coffee, I said, “There’s not much left. Just my clothes and a few personal items. Even the furniture’s staying. Brian and Dennis are moving in next weekend.”

I was subletting my apartment to them. Before Adam, Brian was supposed to be my new roommate. But things had changed since Adam and I got serious, and having Brian move in didn’t seem like a good idea anymore.

Finding Brian a new roommate had been easy. This arrangement was actually better for me—I’d save more money and get to live with Adam.

Ann nodded, sipping her coffee and still looking around, maybe feeling a bit nostalgic herself. She had memories here too. She took a deep breath and seemed to brighten. “This coffee’s amazing.”

“Thanks. I added cinnamon, a trick I learned from Adam.”

She nodded approvingly. I knew she was happy for me. “Okay, so what’s left?” she asked, suddenly all business.

“Why don’t you pack up the bookcase while I finish in the bedroom?”

She grabbed a box and the tape gun, and I headed back to the bedroom to finish packing my clothes. The movers had brought three large wardrobe boxes, but I only needed one.

“Are you nervous?” Ann called from the living room.

I returned with three books. “A bit, but I’m excited too. I didn’t expect to be moving in with Adam. But when he suggested it, I agreed without hesitation. Am I crazy?”

Ann raised an eyebrow. “Not at all. This is a new chapter for you, Vee. You should be excited.”

“You’re probably right.”

Satisfied, she sealed up the box. The buzzer sounded again, signaling the arrival of the movers.

We watched as the boxes were carried out of my apartment, then followed them to Adam’s. Ann drove fast, and we beat the movers there.

Before going inside, I looked up at the house. It still impressed me with its clean lines and masculine vibe.

After punching in the alarm code, we stepped into the foyer. The house was quiet. Adam was out of town and wouldn’t be back until midweek.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Adam.

I quickly replied.

His response came right away.

I smiled to myself.

In no time, we had my clothes unpacked, leaving my books and pictures in their boxes for now. Ann and I shared a pizza and a bottle of wine from Adam’s cellar.

“He does have the best wine,” Ann said, raising her glass. “To new beginnings.”

“And to exploration,” I added.

Ann raised an eyebrow, but then smiled and clinked her glass against mine.

As I stood on the brink of this new chapter in my life, I had no idea where it would lead. But I was starting to understand what I wanted, what I needed.