He shook her hand and Sadie’s skin against his caused his skin to tingle in a really nice way.
“It’s nice doing business with you,” Sadie said like this was a courtroom transaction.
Was that what this was? The tingle did not feel legal.
“Next time, though, you should add a stipulation on the time frame you expect your payment to occur.” She released her grip and started toward the kitchen.
Was she for real?
“Sadie?” he called, not whispering.
“What?” She turned, shoulders tense. Jaw locked.
The woman seriously needed a solid massage with a side of new age music.
“Calm,” he said, gesturing to his chest and inhaling deeply like his sister did to him after she’d been to one too many yoga classes.
Sadie squinched her eyes together, practically rolled them, and moved back to the kitchen.
With Marlee crashed on the sofa, Roman peeked in on Luke. He was also sleeping, his chest moving up and down with each breath he took.
“You mind keeping an eye on them for me?” Eli asked from the door to the kitchen.
Not at all.
Roman looked away from Luke to Eli. “I’d be happy to.”
Eli wavered a little on his feet.
“When’s the last time you slept?” Roman asked.
“Uh.” Eli’s eyes glazed over as he thought so hard Roman worried he might break his brain.
“I’m guessing Marlee hasn’t slept, either?” Roman glanced to Eli’s wife sawing logs on the sofa.
Eli shook his head. “You should’ve seen her. She was a force in the delivery room. I can’t even describe—” His voice clogged. “She’s done the work. I’ve gotta step up. Lost sleep is nothing compared to what she’s been through.”
“You just opened a restaurant.” Roman pointed out. From what he’d heard, opening a restaurant took a shit ton of energy.
Eli’s eyes glazed over again. “I did, but she made our kid. Literally.”
Roman stepped toward his friend, taking the tongs from his hand.
He could tell Eli was wiped because Eli didn’t object as they slipped from his hand to Roman’s.
“Fair point,” Roman said. “But you’ve got to sleep so you can keep doing nothing for her.” Well, that didn’t sound right at all.
Eli’s glazed look disappeared into confusion.
“Leave Luke down here with Sadie and me,” Roman said. “Take your wife to a real bed and catch some Z’s. We’ll handle things here.”
Eli looked at Roman with the hope in his eyes of a seriously sleep-deprived man who had just been promised a nap. “Seriously?”
“I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. Let’s be honest, though, neither do you.” Honesty was the name of the game. “But Sadie’s here. I’ll call my mom if I need help. Or Sadie will call yours. Worst case, we’ll call in the babushka.”
Eli wiped a hand over his face. “Whatever you do, don’t call Marlee’s mom. She’ll bring in a team of nannies who will never leave and neither of us wants that.”
Noted.
