“He did,” I say. “Didn’t want to wake you.”
Her brows scrunch up. “How is he today?”
I shrug. “Rick’s being Rick.”
We eat for a bit. It’s easier now. The silence between us isn’t loaded anymore. It’s comfortable. Dangerous, in its own way because it’s clear we’re both on the same page about whatever this is between us, but comfortable.
After a minute, she rubs her temples. “I don’t usually drink like that.”
“I figured.”
“I just…” she trails off, then shakes her head. “Never mind.”
I set my fork down. “What?”
She hesitates, then sighs. “I haven’t had a lot of good days lately. Last night felt good. Normal. I guess I didn’t want it to end.”
That hits me square in the chest.
“I get that,” I say quietly.
She looks at me then, searching. “Do you?”
“Yeah,” I answer honestly. “More than you think.”
Her gaze lingers, then she nods.
“I’m glad you were there,” she says. “Even if you did turn me down.”
I smirk. “You say that like it was easy.”
She laughs softly. “Was it not?”
“No,” I say. “It wasn’t.”
That seems to please her more than it should.
We finish eating, slower than necessary. Neither of us in a hurry to get up. When she finally pushes her plate away, she looks more like herself. The color is back in her face, and her eyes look clearer.
“Thanks for not being weird about this,” she says. “I’ll go get dressed and join you in ten minutes.”
I shake my head. “Nope. You’re gonna stay here today.”
Instantly, her expression falls. “I thought we were okay. I promise I won’t make a move on you if that’s what this is about.”
“Don’t,” I say. “It’s not that. We got followed yesterday. We don’t know what your foster father is up to. I don’t want you out there until I can be sure you’re gonna be safe.”
She doesn’t say anything. Just bites her lip.
“Wedon’t want you out there. That’s one area me and Rick agree on.”
“I thought I had a job with you both,” she says, sounding dejected.
“And you do, darlin’. Just give things a day or two to settle. Okay?”
“Okay.”
I stand and take her plate, adding it to mine. “And about last night. I meant what I said, so don’t you be thinkin’ your advances were unwelcome.”
