Glancing around, I noted that there was a short hall that led away from the kitchen and living room. Heading that way, I followed the sound of a TV. A door on my left was cracked open. Pushing it open, I peeked in. With one look, I saw a place I wanted to disappear into. It was a den lined with bookshelves, Pinterest-level cozy. Books overflowed the shelves, as did photos and mementos. Who the heck would have pegged Jake as a reader?
Directly across from the door there was a fireplace with a TV above. And on the sectional across from that with his back to me sat Jake. I silently moved toward the couch. Jake sat there in the corner, his legs stretched out on the sectional. As I drew closer, I saw Addie curled up with her head on his lap. She had a blanket thrown over her, Jake’s dog resting his face on her feet.
Jake’s eyes came to meet mine. “She’s out,” I whispered.
“Takes after her mama,” he whispered back.
“I need to wake her so we can head home.” I tried to ignore the pounding of my heart.This man is an asshat, I told myself. Nope. No impact. The cuteness factor of my daughter sleeping on him was threatening to veto any claims of Jake’s general asshole-ness that I brought up.
Whatever.
Jake slid out from under Addie and replaced his lap with a pillow. With a quiet “Stay” to his pup, he gestured for me to follow him.
I smoothed the blanket over Addie and then put a hand on the pup’s head. “Good dog,” I murmured. I looked up and saw Jake leaning against the doorframe, watching. His eyes met mine, and I could swear something was there. Then he blinked and turned back toward the kitchen. Holy mixed signals, Batman.
I shook my head and headed after him but left the door open so Addie could find us when she awoke. As I reached the kitchen, I noted that the sun was beginning to set. Heck, what time was it? I didn’t wear a watch, and my phone was likely somewhere back with my purse.
Jake came to rest at the island, leaning back against it to watch me. “Nice nap?”
I felt my face heat a bit and stamped down my irritation at my own body’s reaction to this man. So what if I fell asleep? I bet he would too in my shoes. “Yes, it was. Thank you,” I replied as I worked to remove any sarcasm from my voice. “I’m not sure what time it is, but I should probably get home. You’re likely ready for a normal Friday night at the brewery. We’ll just get out of your hair.”
“Slow your roll, gypsy,” he began.
“Gypsy?” I interrupted.
“Addie had us dance to Fleetwood Mac. Seems to fit you,” he said, scanning my body.
“Stevie Nicks is a goddess,” I replied automatically. Truth needed to be spoken. Always. “However, gypsy is considered to be an ethnic slur.”
“I’m sorry, what?” His brows drew together as he studied me.
I took a breath, wondering if this would be another long conversation with Jake. “Gypsyis a term Europeans used to refer to the Romani people when they came to Europe from northwest India. They are the largest ethnic minority in Europe and have faced great persecution over the years, including having millions of their population murdered during the Holocaust. They have asked that the term gypsy not be used. It’s reinforcing racist stereotypes and dehumanizes a group of people. And really, it’s the least we can do.”
“So you’re just going to strike that Fleetwood Mac song from the history books?”
Sigh. “No, of course not. But as Maya Angelou said, ‘When you know better, you do better.’ Of course I will still listen to Fleetwood Mac, but I will work not to use a term that has been said to be hurtful. It’s not a hard ask.”
“Okay then. Well, babe…”
Jake glanced at me with an eyebrow raised. I rolled my eyes in response.
He ignored me. “As I was trying to get out before, you’re not going anywhere.”
“But—”
“Ivy, let me finish. I called Sully and Harp for help with your Jeep. They swung by because Sully was closing up at the brewery.”
“Closing?” I glanced around and found a clock on his stove. It was four thirty. The brewery didn’t close until midnight or later.
“Patience is not one of your virtues, huh? At any rate, Sully and Harp swung by. I didn’t want to leave Addie in here while you were sleeping and no one to watch her…”
Dang it. Heart melting. I needed to get out of this place ASAP.
“…so I called them. They got your Jeep in the drive before heading home and share two bits of information. One, your tires are crap. It’s no wonder that the pothole took one out.”
“Pothole?”
“Two, the weather forecast has changed. We have some freezing rain coming, starting anytime and continuing for the next few hours. The snow will likely be gone, but a layer of ice will be left in its wake until the warm weather coming tomorrow swoops in and leaves us with a muddy mess. Got to love Illinois. If you don’t like the weather, wait a few moments, and you’ll get something new. And so we’re back to my comment about you not going anywhere.” Jake leaned back, crossing his arms and looking pretty pleased with himself.
