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“But do continue.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you do. What I went through as a kid.”
Enzo opened up about his struggles in school this week, and rather than pretend I’d had no idea—I am so not a good liar—I did admit to having pulled that particular bit of information from my brother.
“You’re right. The kids who are struggling need help. Our help. But maybe we can do it another way.” His hand slows to a stop and now just rests on the small of my back. “What if . . .”
Enzo rarely gets nervous. But I can tell he is right now, and it’s freaking me out a bit.
“Enzo?”
He swallows. “What if you had unlimited funds to create something of your own for struggling readers? A program. A school. It would be totally up to you. But you’d have all the resources you need to get it started. Sky’s the limit.”
Create something of your own.
“Or you could do advocacy work to get the right reading programs into schools. Honestly, whatever you think would help kids the most. And”—he looks straight into my eyes—“you could do it from New York.”
Oh my God.
“Are you asking me to move in with you?”
I just want to be sure I’m not getting this wrong.
“I know it’s a big ask. You love Bridgewater. Your family is here. Your job is here.”
Is he serious? Move in with him? Start my own reading outreach program?
“And you’re so close with your mom. Not to mention Lisa and your friends. But . . .”
Holy shit.
Spread your wings, Chari. Like an angel.
I smile so hard my dry winter lips are ready to crack.
“Yes! Enzo, yes.”
He flips me onto my back, and I find myself looking up into his beautiful face, his smile reaching the very corners of his eyes.
“One thousand percent yes.”
“I can’t believeyou’re going to work Monday.”
It’s hard to hear Lisa over the drunken shouts that fill the bar as Enzo and Devon win another round of shuffleboard. Apparently neither has lost their touch, and no other duo in The Wheelhouse can best them.
“Another round?” Mike asks from behind the bar.
“Sure,” I respond as Lisa shrugs her shoulders in the universal gesture ofwhy not?
Since I still haven’t responded to her about the whole work thing, I shift my gaze to her and say, “I can’t just up and leave. They need to find a replacement for me.”
I watch as Enzo leans over the shuffleboard table.
“You are not being very subtle,” Lisa comments with no small measure of amusement.
“Thankfully, I don’t have to be,” I respond. Enzo moves aside for his brother Gian, who’s on the opposing team.
Lisa takes two Angel Pale Ale bottles, along with the small white pill packages accompanying them, from Mike. After thanking him and handing me one of the bottles and pills, she asks, “So when will you move?”
