“If you can do this in five days, I’d hate to think what it looks like after a month.”
“Me too. There has to be someone who cleans on this island. Even if I tell myself I’ll do better, I’m not so sure I will.”
“I don’t think you will either. I’ve seen signs of it.”
“Sorry. We’ve all got flaws. Not everyone keeps their house neat and organized, the labels of all their cans facing the same direction and sorted by expiration date.”
“Hey. That’s how I know where everything is and nothing is wasted.”
“I was joking. Seriously? Youdothat?”
She stood up. “We need to clean. Now. I can’t take this. I won’t be able to relax until it’s done.”
There wouldn’t be any arguing with her. “I’ll start in the kitchen.”
“Yep, you will, because I can’t handle it. Not sure why, but something smells in there.”
“I don’t smell anything.”
“Because you’re living here and don’t notice it. Bring me some cleaners and paper towels so I don’t have to step foot in there. I’ll take care of this room and the dining room.”
She brought calm and order to his life. A structure he’d been missing for years.
He didn’t want to admit he might be falling back into his old ways and it was something he’d have to consider when thinking of Don’s offer.
When he came out of the kitchen with the cleaner and rag, she had the vacuum in her hand and was running it over the cushions. “Where did you find that?”
“The closet under the stairs.”
“There is a closet under the stairs?”
She just rolled her eyes. “Yeah. It has brooms and mops in it. Guess you haven’t used them yet either.”
He cringed. “Sorry.”
“I’m only sorry for the person you hire to clean up after you. It won’t be me again.”
He moved in close to get a quick kiss. “And I wouldn’t ask you. I was picking up when you knocked.”
“Sure, you tell yourself that,” she said, laughing. “Stop apologizing and get to work.”
“Yes, ma’am. You know, you’re sexy when you’re bossy like this.”
“Next time think long and hard if you want me sexy being a boss out here, or in the bedroom.”
He had to admit, he loved when she got the last word in.
36
MEANT SOMETHING
“Are you going to get out of bed this morning?”
Natalie rolled over and saw Arik sitting on the side of the bed. “What time is it?”
“Seven thirty. You never sleep this long, but you haven’t moved much. Guess you had a long week and were exhausted.”
She hadn’t thought she was that tired, but guess she was.
