She loved him so much right now. “Because you’ll take care of the place.”
“Yeah. She just needs to work on getting better.”
“Speaking of work, are you in trouble for leaving early?”
“Nah. And I have off tomorrow, so I can stick around and do whatever she needs. Or you need. I know you were working today. I hope this didn’t put you behind.”
Cody hadn’t appreciated her job, since she didn’t go to an office to work and didn’t make much money. The job fulfilled her financial needs and satisfied her independence. Smith talked about her editing and cooking as if they really mattered. They did, but that he recognized it showed her he knew how hard she worked.
“Thanks, I’m good.” She kissed him, a soft gesture of thanks. Of love. “I’ll be glad you’ll be home though. I miss you when you’re gone.”
“Me too.” He smiled, his expression lighter than it had been. “I’d like you to be with me tonight and tomorrow. When you’re not working, I mean. You always rush away to work in your apartment. I don’t mind if you do your edits at my place.”
She searched his gaze. “Are you sure?”
He sighed. “You always do this. Yes, I’m sure. If I didn’t want you over, I’d tell you. I don’t hold much back, you know.”
She grinned, relieved. “That’s true.” Cody might have been too worried about hurting her feelings to tell her the truth. But Smith didn’t seem to have the same hang-ups. “But if you ever—”
“Yeah, yeah. If I ever feel like you’re over too much, I’ll kick your ass out. I got it.”
“Good.”
He leaned closer and confided, “Here’s what I want to happen. I go in and see Tilly, make sure she’s okay and find out what she needs me to handle. Then you and I grab something to eat on the way home, so you don’t have to fix dinner. I love your food, but I figure it’s been a long day, and you’re probably tired.”
“Good idea.” Though she loved to cook, sometimes Erin needed a break.
“Then we get naked, get clean—because I’ve been moving shit all damn day—and fuck. I want you under me tonight. Ineedyou, Erin.”
She heard something in his voice, saw it in his eyes, and prayed she hadn’t imagined the care there. She nodded, mute, and let him take her hand.
Back in the waiting room, she saw Rupert, Willie, and two other people she didn’t recognize. One of them, a pretty blond woman, stood with Rupert. The other, a tall, menacing looking man covered in tattoos, stood behind her. Smith had already left Erin to talk to someone at the main desk.
Rupert frowned, his eyes worried. “Aunt Tilly isn’t doing so well, huh?”
“She’ll be okay.” Erin patted him on the shoulder, then explained to him and the others what had happened.
Willie grunted. “Good thing you were there. She coulda died.”
“Willie,” the intimidating man said. “Jesus, go easy.”
The blond with him shook her head. “She didn’t die, and she’ll be just fine, Rupert.”
“Right. Right.” He clasped Willie’s hand in his. “Besides, no way my Aunt Tilly dies in some bathroom in the basement. She’ll either be robbing a bank or shacked up with some man forty years her junior. She’s got style.”
Willie laughed. “Sounds about right.”
The woman and man exchanged an amused glance.
Rupert seemed to realize he hadn’t made introductions. “Sorry. Erin, this is the gal I wanted you to meet. Ivy, this is Tilly’s friend, Erin. And that lug behind Ivy is Sam, her boyfriend.”
Sam nodded but remained quiet. Ivy greeted Erin as if they were old friends. She had kind eyes and a firm handshake.
“Oh, sorry.” She lightened her grip. “I’m a massage therapist. Sometimes I forget I’m not at work.”
“That sounds interesting.” Erin smiled. “I edit for agriculture magazines, and I have an independent cooking show I’m trying to get off the ground.”
“Oh, food. We should talk recipes.” Ivy lead her away from Rupert, Willie, and Sam, who started talking about dogs to rescue. “Sorry. When they get started on dog and cat talk, I sometimes need a break. But I wasn’t kidding about recipes. Sam eats a lot, and I’m always looking for new things to make him.”
