He… bought me a ‘that time of the month’ care package?
Dear God.
“I already have the comfy pillows and blankets. Same for your favorite ice cream, but I made sure to stock up on salty and sweet snacks. I didn’t know which ones you preferred, so I got a variety. I also got corn kernels to make popcorn.” He moves his attention to the second bag, pulls items from it, and places them on the couch next to me. “And I got you an assortment of chocolate bars.” He holds them up, fanned out like a winning hand at a high stake poker game.
It’s like the man raided a convenience store.
And how did he know chocolate was my go-to treat to soothe the pain when I have my period?
“And I stopped by a bookstore to stock up on romance books. Since you mentioned hockey romance when we were in the Hamptons, I grabbed you the top sellers. The clerk who was helping me had a few other suggestions. I bought those as well. Whatever you don’t like, I can return or exchange. I also got you gift cards, so you can keep reading to your heart’s content.”
I’m so shocked, I can’t speak.
He meets my gaze and frowns. “Is there anything I’m missing?”
I blink.
It’s like he bought a drugstore, convenience store, and bookstore out of business.
“Harley?”
“You did this for me?” I point to my chest.
“When you packed all your belongings from your apartment, your whole existence could fit in three suitcases.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Now that you’re living with me, I want to make sure you have everything you need.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, choking the air in my throat. I bite my lower lip to avoid crying. This is what real kindness feels like, a gesture no one but my best friend has showed me in years.
Chapter 10
Oh no, sweetheart, not in my presence
Kazimir
Harley is staring at me with such adoration.
That look is a two-sided razor blade. On one hand, I’m glad I got her the things she needed to help make her stay at my place more comfortable. On the other, I can’t shake off the feeling this woman has been dating men who don’t treat her the way she deserves. If she tends to gravitate toward men like Chett, it’s no surprise she’s looking at me like I could walk on water.
“While you were sleeping, I called Grazie Mille’s owner in Brazil.”
Harley drops the bag of Twizzlers she’s holding on the couch and meets my gaze.
“I promised I’d call him after I fired his disloyal manager, but I was so preoccupied to get to you to make sure you were okay, it slipped my mind?—”
“It sounds like I screwed up your day,” she says.
I frown. “What gave you that idea?”
“You had to drive out to Jamaica, Queens. I’m sure helping me move out of my apartment wasn’t on your list of things to dotoday. Then, you drove all the way to Brooklyn to feed me. And while I was passed out on your couch, you were running around town to buy me a ‘that time of the month care package’—which is the sweetest thing in the world, but I’m sure the time you wasted on me put a wrench in your day. Same for playing nurse.”
My frown deepens. “You say that like someone put a gun to my head and forced me to do those things. I did them because I wanted to. And for the record, I didn’t waste time on you—you’renot a waste of time.”
She blinks. “Thank you for saying that.”
“I’m not saying that to placate you, Harley. I mean it.”
She responds with a small nod.
Yup, this woman has been dating assholes.“As I was saying, I connected with the restaurant’s owner, and we had a long talk. He’s glad I took the trash out.”
