“Do it. He’s just trying to legally shut us down for no fucking reason.” Twister nods and pulls out his phone to text the contractor.
“Knock, knock. Kitchen’s clean, Prez. You want the trash outside?” Tank asks while Bars yells from the kitchen.
“Can we take the leftovers for the guys?” I sigh and nod.
“I ain’t eating all that. Take it all. I’m heading back tonight anyway. My gut says we’re going to have another container soon.”
5
HAVEN
Istare at the text message on my phone for the millionth time and chew on my thumbnail. I’d answered so quickly my brain hadn’t had the time to process what was happening here.
Have dinner with me. Tonight 8 pm.
Sure.
The little ‘read’ message under my answer is mocking me, but not as loudly as the digital clock on the wall blinking the time at me as if screaming, ‘You’re out of time.’
“Fuck,” I stand and pace by the front door.
Should I hide and act like I’m not home? I can’t stand here by the window like I’ve been watching for him to arrive, that would be fucking dumb. I move the curtains just as a bright light breaks through the flimsy, white fabric, and I barely contain the scream of almost getting caught.
“Why are you so nervous. This is Joel,” I force myself into the living room and sit down as I hear his Harley shut off, and I hesitate for three seconds after the doorbell rings.
I’m just standing up when a sharp knock, followed by my name, comes through the door.
“HAVEN?” I shake my head as I undo the locks.
“Hold your horses, Joel. Give a girl a second.” I open the door to an equally nervous man holding flowers that are missing their petals.
“I didn’t really think of the wind when I grabbed these for you.” I smile as he extends his arm to hand them to me.
“It’s the thought that counts. Thank you.” I let him in the door and close it before moving towards the kitchen.
“Have a seat. I’ll just put these in water, then we can go. Where are we going?” I’ve been wondering where he planned on taking me since I agreed so quickly with no follow-up questions.
It’s so unlike me that my stomach flips at the implications.
You aren’t kids and more. No one is trying to pull you apart.
“Nothing fancy, I thought we’d grab our favorite pizza and go eat it at our spot.” I pause with the vase of flowers in my hands when his voice is closer to me than I thought.
His hands land on my hips as I put the crystal on my counter. I can feel every fingertip through my clothes. His warm breath is on my neck, and I want to lean back into him so I can feel his lips there, too.
“What are you thinking?” His whisper ends in a shiver down my spine so delicious that I pray my imagination hasn’t been better than reality all these years.
I don’t think my heart could take it.
“I’m thinking our pizza spot closed down after COVID, and our spot is now a private garden and parking lot.” I bite my lip as he curses softly.
“Got a backup plan, sailor?” I turn my head, and our noses almost touch.
I stare into the moss green of his eyes, watching as the black of his pupils grows and he licks his lips.
“I could eat you on this table, then fuck you on that couch before I make love to you on your bed all night. I’ll make waffles in the morning.” My mouth goes dry as my head nods an enthusiastic yes.
“Haven, are you sure? I’m not stopping once I start, and you know what this will mean for the club.
