“Julia Jones.”
“I figured if we were going to exercise at the same time each morning, we should introduce ourselves.”
She smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Heath.”
“Have you lived at The Heritage long?” he asked.
“A couple years. You arrived last year, right?”
“Right. A friend of my son’s lives here. Eric Hudson. Do you know him?”
Julia shook her head.
“Not surprising. Eric has a home office and works odd hours since he has several overseas clients. I don’t think he’s attended any of the condo functions. I’ve only attended a couple myself.”
“I love living here. It’s a fresh start for me.”
“Me, too. I hung on to the house following my divorce thinking I wanted to keep it. That was a mistake. So many memories and more room than one person would ever need. I decided it was time to move on.”
“I hear you. I’m divorced as well, over five years now.”
“About that long for me. Did you hold on to your house?”
“No. I needed to sell, as it was part of the settlement.” Putting her home on the market had been one of the hardest aspects of the divorce for Julia. “It was probably for the best.” Like Heath, the house held a lot of memories, and would have been a constant reminder of all that she’d lost.
Plugging in her earbuds, she set about her routine. When she’d finished, she gave a wave to Heath and headed back to her condo to shower. She intended to stop by the shop to advise the new owner at some point that day, and thought she’d head out early before it was too hot to walk the seven blocks to West Coast Interiors. Since Julia hadn’t taken time to eat breakfast, she decided to stop on her way for a latte at the Busy Bean, a tea and coffee shop next door to The Heritage.
Three people were in line in front of her. Her phone beeped, letting her know she had a text message. Taking it from the outside pocket of her purse, she saw it was from her niece, Carrie.
Can u talk?
Julia called and Carrie answered right away.
“You okay?” Julia asked.
“Not really.” She sounded as down as Julia could remember. Carrie was generally upbeat and happy.
“You want to tell me what this is about?”
It wasn’t uncommon for Carrie to seek Julia’s advice. Her niece was like a third daughter. Carrie was the same age as Marie, and the three girls were tight, having grown up together. Carrie often claimed she had two mothers.
“I’d rather do it in person.”
“Great. How about lunch tomorrow?” Her niece had been on her mind ever since last Monday’s conversation with her sister. And when Heath had introduced himself, she’d gotten an idea. The condo was looking to hire another concierge, and Carrie would be a perfect fit. Plus, a small apartment was offered with the position.
“Sure, I can do lunch.”
“How about the Thai place,” she suggested, knowing it was Carrie’s favorite. “Noon?”
“That would be perfect. Thanks so much, Aunt Julia.”
If this panned out, it would solve a big problem for Carrie, and her sister and Robert.
Chapter 2
“What’s got you so down?” Marie asked Carrie.
Carrie sat with her knees bunched up beneath her chin in the middle of her cousin’s apartment. “It’s Mom and Dad,” she said, releasing a slow, frustrated breath. Rarely had she been more depressed.
“Your mom and dad,” Marie repeated, her eyes widening with alarm. “They aren’t splitting up, are they?”
Carrie supposed this was a natural assumption after what had happened with Marie’s parents. Even now, after nearly six years, Carrie found it hard to believe that her uncle Eddie would leave a woman as wonderful as her aunt Julia.
“Not yet,” she said, “though I have a feeling if I don’t find a job that pays me enough to move out, they might consider it.” That would be the extreme, but after hearing their argument, she couldn’t discount the possibility. Her parents rarely raised their voices at each other. The shock of hearing them argue had hung over her head for a week now. They were miserable, and so was Carrie.
“They were fighting about you?”
Carrie nodded. “They didn’t know I was home. They hardly ever argue; it shook me to hear them yelling at each other.” They must not have heard her come in, and she didn’t think it was a good time to interrupt. Sneaking up the stairs, she silently went to her room without letting them know she was home from work. “Their raised voices were amplified from the foyer like it was being broadcast throughout the house. Dad insisted that it was time I move into my own place. He was adamant they weren’t helping me by letting me live at home.”
Marie lowered herself from the sofa and sat on the floor next to Carrie. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. Dad’s right. It’s time I accepted responsibility for myself and had my own life.”
“You could always move in with Hillary and me,” Marie suggested.
Adding a third person in a two-bedroom apartment wouldn’t work. Carrie had a good relationship with her cousins. Becoming their roommate had catastrophe written all over it.
“Where would I sleep or put my things?” she asked, hoping the question was answer enough. Carrie’s cousins were close, both in their late twenties. Living together wasn’t ideal for them, either. But the cost of housing in the Seattle area made it nearly impossible for each to rent their own place.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Blake and Hillary announced their engagement soon,” Marie offered. “I’ll be looking for a roommate once they get married. Do you think you could wait a few more months?”
“No way. I need to find a solution as soon as possible. Besides, even if they do get engaged, it could be months before the wedding.”
It did cheer Carrie to hear her cousin was ready to make the leap with Blake. They’d been dating for more than three years. Marie had once mentioned that Blake had hinted at marriage a year earlier. Only Hillary claimed she wasn’t ready.
“Yeah, I know.” Marie drew her knee up and rested her chin there, mirroring Carrie’s position.
“I’m happy for Hillary. Blake’s a good guy.”
“He is. She’s lucky,” Marie agreed. “I think Hilly would have accepted his proposal last year if it wasn’t for what happened to Mom and Dad. They were married thirty-one years. Even now it’s a jolt, you know?”