The door opens a crack and Jimmy peeks his head in. “I thought today I’d make sure you woke up in time so you’re not late for work.”
I hate to say it, but that’s a nice thing for him to do. “Thank you.” I take my phone off the nightstand. “I set my phone alarm but it looks like I slept right through it. I must have been exhausted.”
“After the week you’ve had, I’m not surprised. Why don’t you get dressed and you and Kale can come have some breakfast?”
I glance down at the end of the bed and Kale is curled up in a ball. Again, I don’t remember him sneaking in here with me last night. “Okay, thank you.” Jimmy disappears behind the door.
“Here, Kale,” I call out to my new friend and he hops up into my lap. I rub my hand down his fur. “You know, you don’t really bark when I’m here, do you? Do you just like to drive me crazy when I’m next door?” His tongue sticks out and his hot breath hits my face.Thatwakes me up. “Okay, boy, let’s get moving.”
A half hour later I’m sitting at Jimmy’s makeshift kitchen table, which is simply a folding table between the kitchen and the living room. Kale is snoring at my feet while I’m indulging in the fluffiest pancake I’ve ever eaten. “You are quite the cook.”
“Is that a compliment? I’m not used to hearing such nice words come out of your mouth.”
“Very funny.” I’ve been pleasant to him before. It’s not like I’m constantly spewing angry words at him. When I am upset, it’s because he or his dog is being very loud when all I want is quiet. That’s not my fault.
“I thought it was.” We’re quiet as he takes a bite of his breakfast. “Do you like your job?”
“Of course I do. I worked my butt off to get where I am. Sure, some of the artists can be cocky and rude, but I’m still happy there.” Well, as much as I can be with Janet always on my case.
“Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”
I drop my fork on the plate. “What do you mean by that?” I didn’t accept his offer to stay here only to be dealt insults. And if he insists on using idioms, he should at least be original.
“Nothing.” He raises his eyebrows as he sits up straighter and rolls his shoulders back. “You have a bit of a serpent’s tongue, that’s all.”
“I do not!” Is that what he thinks of me? “Most people find my sarcasm endearing.”
Jimmy takes his fork, slides it across his plate, collecting syrup. He licks the syrup off the fork. “Sure.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“Not sure. Maybe in time I’ll grow to appreciate it.”
I scoff as I chew, not trying in the least to hide my doubt.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I’m certain he’s well aware of why I reacted the way that I have. “Well, let me know when and if that happens. Even though you find me somewhat of a snake, Idoappreciate you letting me stay with you. I didn’t expect to be sharing my house with wild animals.”
“I’m glad to help.”
“Are you?”
My eyes meet with his, and some sort of force keeps our gaze locked. The corners of his mouth curl up and suddenly I’m very aware of every sensation of my body. These tingles moving from my feet all the way up to the top of my head are…new. I shake them away.
“Anyway, the pancakes were excellent. Thank you. May I pick up dinner tonight?”
Jimmy crosses his arms and leans against the counter. “You mean you don’t cook?”
“I try to avoid it when I can. How about if I stop off at Bella Vita and pick up some of their famous lasagna?” Bella Vita is the perfect comfort food. They make their lasagna with five different cheeses and it’s the gooiest carbs I’ve ever eaten.
“Wow. That would be awesome. Their lasagna is incredible.”
“Which is exactly why I picked it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get to work.”
“I’ll be working on your house all day. Here’s my cell number if you need it.” He writes it down on a small piece of paper and hands it to me. “I’m looking forward to dinner tonight.”
“Yeah, me too.”
