Grey steps into me, brushes my hair from my face. "What's the matter?"
"I'm just worried about how much it's going to cost."
"Stop," he says softly. "We'll figure it out."
"But I can't afford--"
"Insurance should cover at least some of it.”
“But my deductible?—”
“Don't worry about that."
"What do you mean, don't worry about it--"
"Let me help you. Please."
My brow is still furrowed, my worry heavy.
"Let me take care of you, Molly. I just want to take care of you."
He says it with such care, almost a plea.
"It's just…" I sigh, feeling small. "When I came here, it was because I wanted to make my own decision, be independent, take care of things on my own. And I know--" I continue when he opens his mouth to argue--"that this is how you show you care, by helping. I have reaped many, many benefits from yourgiving spirit," I tease. "But I hate needing help. I wish I could do it on my own. Sometimes I don't want to be taken care of, even though I love when you take care of me. I don't know, it doesn't make any sense."
"It makes sense," he says quietly.
"It's different though, when you help me. When my parents help, they treat me like a child. You just make me feel taken care of, not taken over."
He wraps an arm around me, peering down into my face, stroking my cheek.
"I don't want you to feel like I'm taking something away from you. It's just that I don't see it that way." He holds my gaze, serious. "You came here to do things on your own. I get that. But you're not on your own anymore. When I look at that house, I don't see your problem. I seeours. They're not just yours to carry, not when I'm standing right here."
I soften. "Oh."
He shakes his head. "But I understand. If you want, we could maybe come up with some sort of…payment plan or something--" I can immediately tell he hates the idea, so I interrupt.
"Grey, that is the sweetest thing you've ever said to me, and you told me I had a pretty pussy just this morning."
A surprised laugh shoots out of him. "Jesus, peaches." He presses a brief kiss to my lips and grabs our plates.
I follow him to the table, feeling lighter already. "So, you gonna teach me how to use the chainsaw?"
And he laughs. "Only if you want to give me a heart attack."
"Fine. But will you chop wood? With an axe? Shirtless?"
He winks at me over his shoulder. "Anything you want, baby."
I know he means that.
I only hope it's not me who ends up taking advantage of him this time.
CHAPTER 35
FML
GREY
