She flounced past us, all hips and perfume, brushing against my arm like she still had the right to touch me intimately.
“I should go,” Mickie muttered behind me. “She made it here through the snow, so clearly it’s no big deal.”
I turned to her, cupped her chin, and tilted her face up to mine. “We aren’t doing this again. Criss won’t be here long. Go relax.”
Mickie tugged out of my grip and glared toward the kitchen like she could incinerate my ex with a look. “Whatever.”
“There it is,” I said.
“What?”
“Your ‘fastest way to get Sam’s attention’ tone.”
“No,” she said, her cheeks going pink. “Maybe.”
“I’d bet your backside is still tender from my belt yesterday. Apologize for your attitude and listen.”
“Sorry.”
She said it quietly, then took Crystal’s soaked things and laid them near the fire. That she cared about being kind, even to someone who never showed her any kindness, wasn’t lost on me. It wasn’t comfortable to put on cold, wet items designed to keep warmth in. Yet another reason I loved her so much.
“I forgive you, Mickie.”
“What would you like me to do?”
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “Go sit. You’re not ready for another adjustment yet.”
Her eyes darkened. “Maybe that’sexactlywhat I need. Another adjustment.”
I stared at her, hard. She scrunched her nose up at me like she hadn’t just said that with her whole chest. “After Criss leaves, I’ll get to the bottom of your attitude. Don’t fight me right now just because you’re upset with my ex.”
She pouted, then finally sighed. “You’re right. I want your attention and I’m pushing because she’s acting like an entitled bitch.”
“She doesn’t mean anything to me, babygirl. You do,” I promised, brushing a kiss to her cheek before turning toward the kitchen.
When I walked in, Crystal was already perched on the breakfast stool, sipping my coffee from her favorite mug. How the hell had she found it so fast? I’d shoved it in the back ofthe cabinet years ago, instead of tossing it into the garbage. Her nephew had made it when he was younger and I didn’t have the heart to throw it away.
“You have the best coffee bar outside ofCreekside Roast.” She said almost purring as she watched me.
The worst part of our relationship was that I’d watched her interact with others and understood that her bravado was false. She desperately sought someone to love her, but her lack of self-worth convinced her that she didn’t deserve love. Unfortunately, as much as I tried, I hadn’t been able to convince her that she did.
“What do you need to discuss, Criss?”
She smiled broadly. “Doc Weaver’s got the offer of a lifetime. Ministry work. Costa Rica. They want to fly him out for a few weeks. All expenses paid.”
“And?”
“If no one takes over the clinic, he won’t go.” She sipped from the mug a few times. “This could be huge for him.”
I leaned on the counter, wary. “You came all the way out here to tell me that?”
“You’re one of his closest friends. If you offer to cover the clinic, he can’t say no.”
“Why do you care so much?”
Her smile thinned. “Maybe I want you to give me my flu shot this year.”
I exhaled slowly through my nose. “If this is about Doc, I’ll help however I can. But I’m not in the mood for games, Criss.”
