It’s not a win. I know it, and I know she knows it. But she knows how much I fucking hate Butch. How I just need the right reason to kill him.
“Where’s Bernie? She’s not home alone, is she?”
“Really?” she asks, and her sass that hasn’t been present since we finally fucked returns. “She has plans with some friends from school. They stopped by the house and picked her up.”
I’m impressed. I wasn’t sure the people Bernie talked about were real. Knowing how important it is to Misty that Bernie makes friends, I wouldn’t put it past Bernie to make up stories to ease her mama’s worry. “She’s making friends. That’s good.”
“Yeah, they’re getting their hair done. I don’t know these friends, but Bernie was so excited to get the call last night that she couldn’t sleep. Which meant I didn’t sleep.”
“In town?”
“Yeah.”
This makes my eyes widen. I know a bit about Misty’s financial situation. “That’s Mama’s salon. Some of that shit is kind of spendy.”
“I was worried about that, but Bernie says the girl, Sierra, was going to pay for it. I gave her money for a tip, though.”
“Maybe she’ll have sleepovers—”
“Don’t.”
I’m not sure if she’s worried about Bernie at other houses or the implication of us being together. “Don’t what?”
“Trust me, I’m feeling the… problems that arise with taking some space, but it’s what we need right now.”
“That might be what you need right now, but I need to get naked with you and add in a splash of roughness.”
At least I get a smirk before she shakes her head. “We talked about this, Zep.”
“I know, but it’s different.”
“In less than a week, it’s different?”
No one else sits in the café, but I keep my voice low. “I want you. Fuck, I want you. But I want us. A life that’s built with you in mind. And Bernie.”
Misty sighs and looks at the counter. “I can’t do this right now, Zep. Can we talk later?”
“Later when?”
I want a date and time. Something to hold her to because otherwise, I’m not certain we ever will. And I’m tired of fucking sleeping alone.
“Tonight? Bernie can play with the cats while we talk outside.”
Outside. Where it’s safe. No chance of getting naked and finally satisfying the need we both have. “Sure. I’ll see you later. How much do I owe you?”
“On the house.”
“Thanks.”
As I reach the door, she calls out, “Zep?”
“Yeah?”
“I really do want what you’re offering. It’s me. I’m trying to figure out how to trust without having a crystal ball to see the future.”
“Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith, Misty. And trust that I’ll be there to catch you when you fall.”
“I’m working on it, I promise.”
