“Hey, how’s it going? I saw that you were streaming earlier.”
This surprises me. “You know I do?”
“Yeah.” He nods, as he comes in and drops a kiss onto my forehead. “I’ve followed you since the beginning, I just make it a point not to comment. Was kind of always worried Cody would see it as something other than what it was.”
Where his lips touched my skin is warm as if he’s placed a brand on me. “I appreciate that, but you don’t have to worry about it now. I have him blocked where I can.”
He makes a noise in the back of his throat, before he reaches out and curls his palm around my neck. “You and I both know that men like him have ways of getting whatever it is they want. You should still be careful.”
“I’m not used to someone else worrying about me as much as I worry about myself,” I admit. “But you’re right, and I’m trying.”
“Is that why you were looking at me through the window?”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “I thought you might be Ruby or Molly, and I was trying to figure out how I was going to hide being here.”
With a squeeze of his fingers against my neck, he causes me to raise my eyes to his. “You don’t have to hide being here, you know. I’m not trying to keep you a secret if that’s what you think.”
Part of me had thought that, because I’ve been keeping the secret of what’s been happening in my personal life for so long. “Don’t you think it’ll make it hard on the both of us if people know I’m staying here? What will Molly think? Your mom and dad?”
“Who gives a fuck?” He moves his hand so that he’s palming the side of my neck and rubbing his thumb along my bottom lip. “I’m a big boy. Haven’t lived under my parents roof for years, and have never answered to Molly. Yes, I care what she thinks. She’s one of the most important people in my life, but she’s not the most important. I’m not ashamed of you staying here, unless you don’t want anyone to know. We’re both fucking adults.”
He’s right, we are both adults, but I’ve been keeping so much of my life secret that it feels uncomfortable to be honest. And that’s never been me. “You’re right, maybe I need to adopt your who gives a fuck attitude.”
“I’ve been perfecting it for years. Might take you a little longer.”
The wink he gives me makes all my lady parts stand up at attention. “I’m willing to learn,” I flirt with him.
“I’m willing to teach, but I’m sure you could teach me way more than I can you.”
The tension between us is thick, and I’d love to stand here and smile at him all day, but I have work to do. “I think we could help each other, and I would love to be hanging out with you.”
“But?” He questions. “I can hear it.”
“I have so much work to do,” I sigh, turning to where all my stuff is laying on all of the available counter space.
He glances around. “Yeah, I can see that. You’ve got a lot for one person.”
How do I explain to him that this is normal? That I’ve always been a one-woman show. Even when Cody and I were first dating, he wasn’t even trying to impress me by helping. “It just kinda is what it is.” I give him a shrug. “It’s good to be busy.”
“But is it good to be doing everything on your own? Especially when someone could help you? I’m not great, but I do follow instructions well.”
Him offering makes me want to cry. It was never a priority for the man I married, but this man who has done nothing but help me sees that I’m struggling, and knows that I won’t ask for the help. Instead he puts himself out there. What the fuck have I done to deserve this? My mind tells me I dealt with Cody for as long as I have.
“I’m serious, Magnolia. I can help.”
“Alright.” I give him a grin. “I’d appreciate it. Do you see all that over there?” I point to where I have completed pretzel sticks, chocolate dipped Oreos, and Rice Krispie Treats sitting. “I need it put into those cellophane bags, then you’ll need to close them with the heat sealer, and put those stickers on it.”
His eyes move over where I’ve told him what to do.
“I can show you how,” I say when he keeps looking around.
“You don’t have to show me how. Do you know how many times I helped my mom do this for her wedding planning business? They always needed help to get favors ready. Molly and I can seriously do this in our sleep. In fact, I think we have. You don’t have to worry about me.”
The fact that he’s just willing to jump in like this is amazing to me, so the only thing I do is nod with a smile.
“Do you have order slips? I can pack them too.”
How has this guy not been scooped up by someone? Everyone in Laurel Springs must not know what a fucking great guy he is. Or maybe he’s just been waiting for the right girl, my subconscious says. “You sure?”
