“I know it’s crazy,” I admit honestly, because is there a better word to describe what’s been happening between us and how fast? It’s all just so crazy.
“No, it’s not. It’s sweet, and I’m glad you called.”
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” My tone is on the edge of teasing and playful.
“Well, Gabby and I are in your room watchingBelow Deck.I had to throw my sheets in the washer, and I hope you don’t mind.”
Here I thought my smile couldn’t get any bigger, but she proves me wrong. Payton could have easily just gone down to the couch, but she chose my bed.
“Oh no, it’s totally okay. But man, I’m jealous. I want to be snuggled up with you guys. Send me a photo?”
“Hey, Romeo,” Ollie calls out from the hallway. “Do I pay you to cook or to schedule your booty calls?”
I run my hand down my face and blow out a harsh breath.For fuck’s sake. Shut the fuck up, Ollie.
“Oh my God, is that my brother?” Payton gasps into the phone.
After everyone had left my birthday celebration, I told Payton about the text message Ollie sent me. She felt absolutely mortified. I’m just fucking thankful that he had done it via text and hadn’t brought the bra down, swinging it around like he was in a rodeo, causing a spectacle. I think had he done that, Pay’s embarrassment would have definitely given us away.
“Just a minute,” I bark back at my best friend. I let out a heavy sigh, returning my focus to the phone call. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. I should probably let you go, anyway. We’ll be back in our room by the time you get home.”
“No,” I say a little too quickly.
She laughs at me.
“I mean, you don’t need to, you know. I mean, I kind of like the idea of knowing you two are curled up in my bed, all safe and sound.”God, why am I sputtering like an idiot?
What I don’t add is that I want her in my bed every night for the rest of our lives.
“I kind of like the idea thatyoulike the idea of us in your bed.” I can hear the smile in her voice again and can’t help the smile that spreads across my lips as well. “But maybe tonight, I’ll put Gabby in my room and bring the monitor back in with me.”
Oh, I am definitely liking the sound of that, but I don’t want Pay to feel pressured into doing that.
“Are you sure? You know I don’t mind us all in the same room.”
“I’m sure,” she states matter-of-factly. Clearly, this is something she’s already thought about.
“Okay then. I’ll be home in a few hours.” Those three little words hang out there, just waiting and expecting me to grab on to them, but the first time I say them to her won’t be on the phone. It was bad enough I let it slip in the shower that one time, but I think I did a pretty good job of recovering them.
When I do finally say those words to her, I want to be looking into her eyes so she can see the truth, clear as day.
“Okay. Bye.”
I tuck my phone away in my pocket and re-enter the back hallway at the same time Archer is leaving his office.
“Everything okay?” he asks as he looks up, that permanent scowl etched on his face softening just the slightest in concern.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugs. His eyes, which are identical to his sisters, bounce back and forth between me and the back door that I just walked through.
“Well, per the employee handbook, I’m allowed two fifteen-minute breaks every shift.”
He scoffs. “Thanks for citing the rule book, but as the owner of this establishment, I’m well aware.” He crosses his arms and leans against the wall. “I’m asking because you’re as much of a workaholic as I am. In all the years you’ve worked here, I think I can count on one hand how many times you’ve called out sick and how many breaks you’veactuallytaken. Let’s not forget getting into fights with patrons.”
Hey, that last part wasn’t entirely my fault.But I guess he has a point. My priorities have been shifting lately. Enough for people to even notice. Don’t get me wrong, I still one hundred percent love my job, but my heart is being torn in other ways. Part of my heart now belongs with Pay and Gabby, not just in the kitchen.
