“Back up a second, will you?” he asked. “So I can stick the steak in the oven.”
When the oven door closed, he turned and pulled me into his arms. “I don’t get why people are weird about this kind of stuff.”
“It’s the early stages of the relationship, you’re supposed to be . . .”
“What?”
“On your best behavior.”
“On what authority do you have that?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Everyone knows that.”
“Hmm. Or, hear me out—we just bypass all that bullshit.”
“Well, we kind of did. It wasn’t my first choice, but I think that’s exactly what happened.”
“Freckles?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re going to get sick one day. You’re going to be sweaty and have a fever. And you’re going to throw up. A lot. And I’m going to see it.”
I pulled back so I could stare up and glare at him.
He smiled down at me and cradled my cheeks in his hands. “I’m going to take care of you then, too. And I’m still going to find you the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I swallowed.
“This is for real, Poet. This is all part of it. Yeah?”
I nodded.
He pressed a kiss to my forehead and let me go. “Now sit at the table and let me take care of you.”
“Where the hell are you?” Salem demanded the moment I answered my phone.
“Hi, Salem,” I said. “Back in town, are ya?”
“You’re not at the Ridge. You’re not at Sweet Teeth. You’re not in your apartment. So, what gives?” she demanded.
“I’m at the Fluff ’n’ Fold in Silver Springs,” I explained.
“The laundromat?” Hadley asked. “You’re on speaker by the way.”
“Yeah, I gathered that.” I shook my head. “Yes. I’m at the laundromat.”
“Why aren’t you doing laundry at the Ridge?” Salem asked. “You know you can, right?”
I was not about to have a conversation with two of my best friends on speaker phone aboutwhyI was at the laundromat.
“We’re getting in the car and we’re on our way,” Salem said.
“Perfect. By the time you get here, the dryer cycle will be done,” I said. “It saves me from having to call Brooks to come pick me up.”
“We havesomuch to talk about,” Hadley said.
Girl, you have no idea.
