“Wow. Congratulations.” After taking another drink, I set the mug down and retrieve a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
Dale stops on the threshold and raises an eyebrow. ‘Stay,’ I mouth and motion for him to come inside.
“So, could you watch Steven for the night? Josephine can pick him up in the morning after her mom gets back to the hospital.”
“Sure.” It’s not like I have a social life anyway. “That’s not a problem.”
Ruby. Crap. I was supposed to go out with Ruby tonight. I’ll have to call her and let her know about the change in plans.
“Thanks.”
I make a mental note to stop and pick up some smooth peanut butter, grape jelly, bananas, and soft tortillas. As a licensed respite provider, I have a variety of everyday items forall ages, but I’ve watched Steven before, and he only eats peanut butter and jelly wraps. With sliced bananas.
Smooth peanut butter. Don’t try to trick him with the crunchy peanut butter. He’ll stick his nose up and refuse to eat anything for the rest of the night.
“I get off in thirty minutes. If she wants to drop him off then, that’d be great.”
“Perfect.”
After I hang up, Dale leans his upper arm against the threshold. “What was that about? Do we have a call?”
“No, Josephine needs respite tonight.” I shove off the counter as he strides across the kitchen and yanks open a cabinet door.
“I heard her dad had surgery last night.” He digs out a paper plate.
I cross my arms over my chest while tapping the tip of my sensible, comfortable black shoes on the cement. We also need to talk about combat boots. Those would also look cool. “And you didn’t happen to say anything about it all day?”
“Hey.” He chuckles while setting the plate on the counter. “We were busy with calls, and then you were mooning over Jake Thompson for the last several hours. I didn’t think you had room for other topics.”
“Ple-e-ease,” I growl while rolling my eyes. Heat floods from my chest, up my neck, and then across my cheeks. So much for hoping everyone’s forgotten our blow-up at Jolie’s. “I wasn’t mooning over Jake Thompson. It’s ridiculous that you’d even think that. Besides, did you see the way he and Clint’s mom hitit off? I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that they have a date lined up.”
My stomach sinks as the words spill from my lips. It’s bad enough that they were floating around in my brain. Now, I had to go and speak them into the universe.
“Jealous much?” He yanks open the refrigerator.
“I’m not.” I force myself not to stomp my foot. “I’m. Not. Jealous.” I speak the words slowly while enunciating them more clearly than the last time. Maybe if I say it enough, I might even believe it.
“That’s what they all say,” he says with a smirk that I’d like to smack off his face.
“How does Tameka put up with you?” I glare at him as I imagine squishing his head in a vise.
Typically, I enjoy my partnership with Dale. We have an easy camaraderie that lends itself to both serious conversations and lighthearted banter. But he had to go there. I have enough people in my life giving me a hard time.
“I have a big–”
“Don’t.” I shove my hands over my ears.
He stomps across the gray painted floor and grabs one hand, yanking it off my ear. “Heart. I have a big heart.”
“Fine.” I brace my hands on my hips. “I shouldn’t have assumed the worst in you.”
“I also have a big dick.” He laughs with a wink.
“Asshole.” I snatch up the bottle of water and march to the door. “I need to call Ruby to let her know I’m going to be busy tonight.”
“Emily?” His voice sobers as he says my name, so I risk trusting him again and glance over my shoulder. If he smarts off one more time, I’m lobbing the bottle at his head. “I’m proud of you for getting your foster care license. It’s a good thing to do.”
“Thanks.”
