“You’ve decided, then. You’re not going back to California?”

“Not for a while. My mother hasn’t asked me for much, so I couldn’t refuse. Besides, I can do my job anywhere. But I’m moving into the house to be closer to Flo if they should need me.”

“Oh.” The loft was empty. An idea began percolating in Linnea’s mind. A lifeline! And she was going for it.

“What’s your mother going to do with the loft?”

“I don’t know. Rent it? It’s a seller’s market out there. Why? Do you know someone interested? Trying to get rid of the Covid Couple?”

Linnea smirked at the nickname for Anna and Cooper. She shook her head, then pressed her folded hands to her lips. “John, I have an enormous favor to ask you. And I mean big. I’ll owe you.”

“That sounds interesting. What?”

She took a breath. “Well… Gordon is flying in from England.”

John’s face suddenly grew wary. “Uh-huh.”

“He’s looked everywhere. I’ve looked everywhere. There isn’t anyplace nearby he can rent. So, I was wondering—”

“Oh, no.” His brows knitted and she saw a flash of anger in his eyes. “No way.”

“John, it would only be for two weeks while he quarantines. He has nowhere else to go.”

“Two weeks? Then what?”

“He’ll move into my house. Unless…,” she paused. “He could stay in your loft.”

“Your place? There’s no room in your house.”

“I’ve been trying to figure it out,” she said with frustration.

“I can’t believe you’re asking me this. You want your boyfriend to stay at my house?” He laughed shortly. “I know the world has gone mad, but this is bat-shit crazy.”

“John, please. I’m asking you as a friend.”

“As a friend. Right. I’m in the friend zone. Got it.”

She swallowed and straightened her spine. “I thought we were clear on this. I told you I was seeing someone else.”

“I thought…”

“You thought what?” She held her breath in the sudden silence.

A muscle twitched in his cheek. “Never mind.”

There it was, she thought. More proof that John wouldn’t, couldn’t commit. Her path seemed clear.

“It’s simple. Gordon is coming from England to work for the summer, and to see me. He needs a place to rent. Can he rent your loft?”

There was a long silence as John and Linnea stared at each other. She saw the struggle in his eyes. The unspoken words.

“So,” John said, “what you’re saying is I get to choose between Gordon living with you, or Gordon living in my loft. Sweet.”

Linnea put both hands on her head. “I know this is awkward.”

“You think?”

“Okay, very awkward,” she amended. “I wouldn’t ask you if I had any other ideas.”

“Here’s an idea. How about he can stay at my place and I move in with you?”

She offered a wry smile. “Nice try. Please, John. Pretty please.”

“Okay, fine. What are friends for?” he asked, scowling. Then he bent to pick up the suitcases. The look he gave her told her that she owed him. Big-time. “But he’s paying rent.” He turned and started walking away. Over his shoulder he shouted, “And it won’t be cheap.”