I shrugged. “I really like that place and I’ve met a lot of cool people. Joe’s an artist too. We like to talk shop.”
He nods but doesn’t say any more about the laundromat. Instead, he changes the subject. “We got everything installed at your place. When we get there, I’ll show you how everything works.”
“Okay.”
At the apartment, I see Gill’s truck. “Gill’s still here?”
“Yeah, I asked him to wait until I found you.”
“I wasn’t lost.” I glance over at him, chin up, eyes narrowed. Like a badass.
“I know.Iwas.”
I think he really was; he looked that way at the coffee shop. I wonder if he’s really as clueless as he seems about what we are doing in this—this relationship. Relationship? Is that right? I don’t know if it is a relationship,but no other word comes to me at this moment. I know I don’t have the slightest idea what is going on here—except the sex. The sex part I get. Boy, do I get that.
A light flickersto life as I pass beneath it. Sam explains, “That’s a motion sensor that immediately turns on the exterior lights. If there’s anyone in your yard after dark, the lights will pop on.”
“Okay.” That’s good. I feel safer already. The light is bright to the point of blinding. I hope my neighbor doesn’t mind the light through his windows.
When we step down into my subterranean abode, I see Gill and Lauren sitting together on my small sofa. Their heads turn as we appear. Lauren jumps up and comes to me, giving me a hug.
“Sorry I wasn’t here. Laundry,” I mutter.
“No problem. I made myself useful.” She flashes Gill a bright smile. “I helped install outside motion lights for your protection.” She winks.
Gill is looking at Lauren with soft eyes. The guy is definitely gorgeous, with long, dark brown hair pulled up into a half-bun/half-ponytail. His eyes are the same color as his hair. He could be described as broodingly handsome, except he smiles a lot, which negates the “brooding” part of that description. When he stands next to Lauren, I see he’s not quite as tall as Sam, but he’s just as built.
From somewhere behind me, Sam appears, slapping Gill on the back, “Thank you for your work today, Gill. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem, boss. MacKenzie. My pleasure.” Gill steps past Lauren, looking back at her. “See you soon?” He nods and smiles wistfully. On his way out, he snags a toolbox and jogs up the stairs and out the door.
“I think I’ll take off, too,” Lauren says, giving me another hug. “You’ve got this, Sam?”
“I’ve got this.”
Ugh, they act like I’m some sort of thing that needs to be watched over. I should be angry at him, at both of them, but I’m too tired. Instead, I sigh. Wonderful, just wonderful. These two are going to annoy the hell out of me with their combined overprotectiveness. I give Lauren another hug and watch her run up the stairs.
“Let me tell you about the door lock. It’s a little complicated but not too bad.”
Sam leads me to the front door so he can educate me about the proper way to lock my damn door. I’m trying to pay attention, but I yawn as he mentions something about a smart lock. I’m just too tired to soak it in; even on a good day, I’m hardly technologically literate. As tired as I am, I won’t retain 5 percent of it by morning.
I yawn again. “Sam, can we talk about that smart doohickey tomorrow? I’m tired; I won’t remember anything you told me.”
“Of course. We can talk about it in the morning. Let’s go to bed.”
“Oh, you’re staying overnight?”
“Yeah. Is that okay with you?” He looks at me expectantly. Is he actually asking me?
“Sure.” I smile at him. “I’m drained, though, I really need to sleep.”
“Me too,” he says, taking me by the hand. “I flipped your mattress so you wouldn’t have to sleep on the side that was cut.”
I forgot all about that. “Thanks, Sam.” I smile up at him and then go up on my tiptoes and kiss the corner of his mouth. In my bedroom, I pull out a pair of sleep shorts and a tank from a drawer. Feeling suddenly self-conscious, I take it into the bathroom to change.Peering at myself in the mirror, all I see is a tired and somewhat fearful self. Attempting to break my own tension, I stick my tongue out at myself, a trick Pops taught me. “It’s all going to be okay. Right, Pops?”
I reach for my toothbrush and attempt to think happy thoughts, but the first thing in my head is Sam’s words from earlier today. Telling me I was “eating like a man” and saying he wanted to “get fat together” didn’t do wonders for my self-confidence. I look down at my pajamas of short shorts and a tank top. Maybe I should have chosen a sweatshirt and pants? Scoffing, I realize it’s a little late to be shy now.The guy has more than seen you naked already. Besides, I believed himwhen he said he didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I’ve no doubt that he’s only dated models and other woman who feel eating is only for the weak-minded.
After I finish brushing my teeth, I step into my bedroom to find Sam lying in bed, covers up to his waist, chest bare. Damn, the man is hot. “Need anything from the kitchen? I’m going to get some water.”
