“Well… I was thinking I didn’t want you to know that I had nowhere else to go. I didn’t want you to know that out of everyone in the entire world, the only person I had to call was my boss. It felt a little pathetic.” He shakes his head at that. “Plus you were mad at me. I didn’t want to make you more mad,” I add in, lifting my chin, grasping at my remaining dignity.
“You had a place to go. My place. You call me,” he says, pointing a finger at himself. “Understand?”
“I can take care of myself.” I sniff, glancing to the side.
“I know you can take care of yourself, baby.” I do everything in my power not to melt at the pet name, and keep my arms crossed. He takes a couple steps until he’s right in front of me. “You lied to Rose so she could have her nurse?” he asks, as if he’s confirming his suspicions, and it completely takes me off guard.
I gasp, whipping my head to him. “What? How did you know that?”
“I went by your apartment. Just wanted to see you, maybe kiss you goodnight…” he trails off.
Donotsmile at that.
“Did you see her nurse, Tara? Did you tell her who you were? Oh god, Rose is going to be so mad.” Once Rose finds out I lied to her, I’d be lucky if she doesn’t kick Tara out, and force me to move back in, crippled or not.
“No, I didn’t tell her anything.”
I sag in relief. “Oh, good. Thank you,” I breathe out, then quickly realize I have bigger fish to fry right now.
Wesley smooths my hair back, cups my cheeks with both hands, and brushes his thumbs along my jawline. Just like that, all of the fight and attitude leaves me, and I’m putty in his hands.
“You’ve been living here.Here.While I’ve been walking around not knowing?” His tone is serious, but his expression is soft.
I shrug. “Don’t be so judgmental. This place is kind of growing on me,” I lie. I hate this fucking room, and would want nothing more than to be literally anywhere else.
He gives me an unimpressed look. “You could’ve been with us in a safe bed. I know that’s my fault, and I made you feel like you couldn’t come to me with stuff like this, but–”
I interrupt him. “No. I was embarrassed.Amembarrassed. I didn’t want you to think any less of me, or feel obligated to help me. Because I knew you would have. I didn’t want to put that on you or Delilah.”
His scowl is back, but I continue.
“You signed up for a nine to five nanny. You didn’t sign up for a charity project. So I went where I knew I wouldn’t be a bother. I’ve been looking for places, I swear. I just haven’t found anything yet. I’m sure something will come up. Don’t worry.” I try to soothe him with optimism, though I know it’s no use.
He shakes his head once. “I know I haven’t made it super clear that you can count on me, but this,” He clenches his jaw and looks around the room again. “You staying here, feeling like you had no one, no other choice. It kills me, Ivy. You’ve always had me, even when I was too stupid to show you. You’re not alone, not anymore. I promise.” He emphasizes his words with a soft kiss on my forehead, then drops his hands to his side.
The bridge of my nose stings, and the only thing I give him is a small nod. I didn’t know how badly I needed to hear that. I feel my shoulders droop in relief, and I take a deep breath trying to clear my head.
“Get what you need for the night. We’ll come back for the rest in the morning,” he says softly.
I chew on my bottom lip. “Are you sure?” I ask him. The thought of being able to stay in the gorgeous guest room at his house fills me with unabashed joy, but I need to be sure that he’s confident in his decision.
“Yes, I’m positive. Get your stuff and let’s go, this place gives me the creeps.”
Relieved, I quickly put on a pair of sleep shorts and tank top in the bathroom, then pack the rest of my bag. I grab clothes for tomorrow and a couple of toiletries. I slip on my flip flops, then grab my valuables I don’t want here unattended overnight. And by valuable, I mean my incredibly old and heavy laptop, and laptop charger. I make sure I have my phone, wallet, and keys, then turn to see Wesley watching me at the door.
“What?” I ask.
“I’m sorry I left you without underwear.”
I burst out laughing. That’s not what I was expecting him to say.
“It’s okay. It was really hot imagining you walking around with them in your pocket. I was just wondering what you were going to do with them,” I say, and waggle my eyebrows at him.
“Yeah?” I see him slyly stick his hand in his pocket and the muscles on his forearm shift back and forth like he’s rubbing the fabric absentmindedly. Are they still in there?
“Yeah,” I croak.
He hums in thought, then says, “I read your texts.”
