She stays me with a hand and a smile. “I’ll be right back. Just wait here with the stuff.” Before I can move, she’s out of the car.
So I do as ordered, even though it’s killing me she didn’t wait for me to get her door for her. One of us has to stay with the car anyway, because anyone could just walk up and swipe something, since the hatch is ajar.
I’m watching and waiting for her return, and make sure I jump out to open the door for her when she returns.
Once we’re both back inside, she hands me…a house key.
“Here.”
I start to reach for it until I realize what it is. “What?”
“I want you both to have a key.”
“Why?”
“Because I trust you guys. Besides, no one else has a key. Not even Daddy and Momma. That way, if you want to come over and I’m not home, you can get in. I’ll give you an alarm code.”
She’s still holding it out to me. I finally extend my hand and let her set it in my palm.
“Thank you.” Those two words feel totally insignificant and insufficient, though.
She pats me on my thigh. “How else are we going to be able to continue your cooking lessons? This way, like if I need to go up to Tallahassee for the weekend or something, you guys can still come over. Laundry, cooking, the pool—whatever. I want you guys to feel comfortable there.”
You guys.
Not just Carter.
Not just me.
Thetwoof us, a matched set, apparently.
I’m not complaining, I’m merely noting it.
“Thank you.” I have to unbuckle my seat belt again to put the key in my pocket, but I manage it. Next stop—we’re off to fill the gas tank. She hands me her card and tells me the zip code to plug in.
Then we’re on our way back to her house. Meanwhile, she’s texted someone a few times. I assume with Carter, but I don’t ask because besides being none of my business, maybe it’s better I don’t know.
You know, in case it it’snotCarter.
And in case it’s someone who will blow my fantasies out of the water.
Chapter Twelve
Upon our return to Susa’s house, she checks another key and has me check mine to make sure it works before I can do anything else. Then I start the arduous process of unloading the Snot Box. All of her purchases are going in the living room, for now. Except for the food, of course.
Once everything is inside, that’s when I suddenly lose my brain. “Do you want me to assemble stuff for you?” I ask before I have a chance to really think that through.
Part of me is prayingPlease, yes. I would kill for an opportunity to look like a hero to her.
Another part of me is screamingYou fucking dumbass!Because I amnotmechanically inclined.
As in, atall.
She smiles. Full dimple. “That would be awesome, thank you.”
Oh, fuckballs.
I start with the ottoman and chair first. She brings me a utility knife so I can open the boxes, and an IKEA toolkit.
