“Impressive. Coupled with your military service, you’ll have no trouble getting work.”

“That’s what my nursing school advisor said. She was also army, back in the day, and helped me with financial aid for school and helped me find a job in the interim. She also helped me get my CNA license, all before my discharge was effective.”

“Have you called her yet?”

“I plan to, later today.” She’d be able to call on the drive to her tattoo appointment. The sketch was also in her handbag, carefully folded, just in case Sergio Iglesias was a nice guy and didn’t throw her out after she asked him about the Eden tattoo.

She’d already texted Daisy to ask the woman to accompany her and gotten a “Hell, yeah” reply. Which presented another problem.

“Can I store my boxes in your garage? Just for today. I need to go somewhere with Daisy and she won’t fit in my car right now.”

Irina nodded. “Where will you go?”

“With Daisy?”

“No. Well, yes, but I meant where will you live now that you’ve moved out?”

“I don’t know. I’ll find a hotel for a few days while I look for a place. Just temporarily,” she added hastily when Irina opened her mouth to speak. “I may be able to get a place in the dorm for the upcoming semester.”

“You will stay here,” Irina declared, her mouth set stubbornly.

“I will not stay here,” Liza replied, calmly sipping her tea.

“With Sasha, then.” Sasha was Irina’s second-youngest daughter and lived in the house that Rafe had converted into apartments. Amos and Abigail lived on the top floor, Sasha on the middle, and Rafe and Mercy on the ground floor.

“Nope,” Liza said with a smile to soften the refusal. “She and Erin are in the gooey and sweet phase at the moment and I won’t impose. Right now, I need my own space.”

Irina nodded, resigned. “I understand. If you won’t live here or with Sasha, will you let me find you a place in a safe neighborhood until your school begins?”

Liza’s smile felt wobbly. “Yes. Thank you. I can’t be picky right now, but if the rent is affordable, I’d be grateful. That would be one thing I wouldn’t have to worry about.”

Irina released her hand but didn’t move away, instead resting her chin on her fist, creating an air of companionable commiseration. “What else do you worry about?”

Liza was literally saved by the bell when the front door opened, making an alarm beep. That was new. “You have a new alarm?”

“No. I just set it to beep when anyone enters or leaves the house. I didn’t ground Zoya for driving to San Francisco with Jeff yesterday morning, because her heart was in the right place and she is a safe driver. But I don’t like the idea of her being able to sneak out, either.”

“My mom would have loved you,” Liza said with a genuine smile, and then she turned to embrace the child flying into her arms. “Miss Abigail! Good morning!”