Page 9

Because every time I turn around, this house needs something else.

And I can’t afford to fix everything. Which means I can’t sell it for what it’s worth. Which means I’m stuck. Again.

I blow out a breath.

“This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.”

Rocky listens. He’s very good at that.

“I was supposed to have a career. A boyfriend who didn’t suck. An apartment with functioning pipes. Maybe a dog.”

I glance at him.

“Not that I don’t appreciate your companionship, but you’re not exactly cuddly.”

His expression doesn’t change.

“Although, honestly, neither was Derek.”

I laugh. It’s a small, pathetic sound. I hate it. I hate that I still feel sad about any of this.

Derek was a cheating asshole. My old boss was a spineless coward who eliminated my position after promising me a promotion. And my apartment was apparently held together with drywall, wishful thinking, and one very overworked pipe.

None of those things were good for me. I know that. But knowing something and feeling it are two very different things. I rub my hands over my face.

“Okay. Enough.” I sit up. “New rule. No more wallowing.”

Rocky looks unconvinced.

“Don’t give me that look.”

He continues giving me that look.

“Fine. Five more minutes of wallowing. Then I’m done.”

I reach for my wineglass before remembering it’s empty. Rude.

I look at Rocky. “Did you drink my wine?”

It’s a dumb joke, but three-glasses-of-wine-me thinks it’s hysterical. Once I’m done with my giggle fit, I wipe my eyes.

“Hey, you know what I learned? Technically, because you are not a water spout thing, you are not considered a gargoyle, but instead a grotesque. Which just seems kind of extreme. It does beg the question of why there’s only you. Normally you fellas come in pairs or groups or whatever.”

Rocky has no response to my knowledge sharing. Typical man.

“You know what I need?”

He doesn’t offer a suggestion.

“A miracle.”

I spread my arms.

“Just one. I’m not greedy. I don’t need to win the lottery or discover that I’m secretly the princess of some tiny European country.”

Although I wouldn’t turn either one down.

“I just need something to go right.”