“I’ve got an empty office here. We could turn that into your writing room.”
She looks up at the ceiling, then back to me. She’s considering it. “Can I see it?”
“Sure.” I stand up and grab my keys. “It’s next door.” Stepping up to her, I take her hand in mine and lead her to the next office. “It’s small,” I warn her before I open the door. “But, it’s the only one with a window.”
“Oh?”
I push the door open and she steps past me. Inside is a desk, a chair, a small bookcase, and a filing cabinet. There’s not much room for anything else. “Keeton. It’s perfect.” Smiling, she moves to sit in the chair.
The room is dusty, dirty. “All it needs is a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint.” I move to sit on the corner of the desk, looking down at her as she opens desk drawers. Then, she stands to peer out the small window, opening the blinds. Beautiful Arizona sunshine floods the room, making Lainie smile. “So? What do you think? You can work in here in the morning then move to Molly’s office in the afternoon. When Molly comes back, you can write full-time.”
“Would I have to answer the phones in the morning?”
“Nah, one of us will get it or it’ll go to the machine.” Standing, I turn toward the door. “Hang on, I’ve got another computer we can put in here.”
Following me out the door, she says, “Working at Keely’s tiny kitchen table is for the birds but it’s better than feeling like I owe you something. It all sounds too good to be true.”
I stop and turn to her. “Why?”
“Because,” she flutters her long lashes at me, “What’s the catch?”
I’m close enough to touch her now so I do. Moving a silky curl out of her face and pushing it behind her ear, I stare at her pretty face. There’s real concern in her eyes. After meeting Lewis, I think I know where that’s coming from. “Lainie, I get why you’re apprehensive about me, about this office, about everything. I just met the reason a few minutes ago.”
She gives me a tiny nod of her head.
“I’m going to be completely honest with you right now. Alright?”
Another nod.
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. My biggest fear is that you’ll walk out of here and I’ll never see you again. So, yes, I’m offering you this office space for my own selfish reasons. I want you here with me during the day and I’m hoping I’ll have you in my bed at night too.”
“Not every night,” she says quickly.
I chuckle, but it’s a nervous laugh coming from a very insecure place. One I had no idea laid dormant. “I’ll take what I can get with you.”
Lainie puts her hand on my chest, right above my heart. I love her hands on me. “This is all very confusing for me, Keeton. I just need time to process it. What if we get sick of each other?”
I chuckle. “I don’t think I’ll get sick of you.” Ever. “But, if we do? Then we talk about it.”
“Can I sleep on it?”
“As long as it’s at my place, sure.”
“Can’t. I promised Keely we’d watch Netflix tonight.” She kisses me softly then steps back. “Oh, and we want our car back.”
“Babe?” I whine like a little bitch. “Just drive the loaner.”
“Nope. I’ll buy my own car. Keely needs her Honda back.”
“Billy’s tuning it up.” Which is code for fixing whatever he can. “It’ll be ready middle of next week. In the meantime, drive my car and I’ll help you shop for a new one. I know some people who have decent used cars.” Deb for one.
“I’m sure you do.” She stares at me. “I’m buying my own car.” Then she adds, “With my own money.”
“Agreed. But I get to help you find one that’s mechanically sound and within your budget.”
She looks at me warily. “Fine.”
“Fine,” I repeat. “Come on. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.”
