“Do you think Derek will be able to figure out he’s staying with you?” she asks bluntly. I catch my surprised expression quickly, but I fear it’s not quickly enough because she laughs. “Talon, I’m not one to go running my mouth or be in other people’s business, but Ididsee Zeke the morning you took him to the hospital. More importantly, I sawyouthat morning, andyou were a total wreck. You owe me nothing, but give me some credit. I’m not blind. No way in hell were you sending him back to Derek, and I know Zeke wouldn’t allow you to pay for him to stay somewhere else, which means he’s staying with you.” I open my mouth to argue, but she cuts me off. “You don’t have to confirm or deny it. Just tell me he’s going to be okay.”
“He’s going to be okay,” I answer quickly. “You know, if you ever find yourself wanting to relocate, let me know, Rebecca. You’re quite an asset, and I’d like to ensure you stay a part of the Devereaux Properties team.”
She grins at me.
“Thank you, sir.”
I groan. “You don’t have to call me sir.”
Smiling, she says, “I kind of do. It was different when I thought you worked for me, but knowing it’smewho works foryouchanges things.”
“I wish it didn’t,” I tell her honestly.
She gives me a sincere smile as I head out the door.
Back down the mountain, I’m walking to my office when my cell phone rings with an unknown number. I briefly consider not answering, but since Zeke and I are currently apart, I’ll take no chances. If there’s a possibility that he needs me, then I’m going to answer.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Devereaux, this is Officer Michaels. I just wanted to let you know we were finally able to get a hold of Derek Palmer to deliver the protective order late last night. It’s unlikely Mr. Palmer will be bothering you again for a while.”
Sothat’swhy he showed up today looking for me. After Rebecca pointed out how I wear my feelings for Zeke on my face, I guess it doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together, and Derek has, in fact, realized Zeke is with me.
I brace a shoulder against the nearest building, stopping to digest Officer Michaels’ words.
“Thank you for letting me know, Officer.”
I blow out a breath and immediately call Zeke.
“If you’re feeling up for it, I’d love to take you out to celebrate tonight,” I suggest, elated at the thought of taking Zeke on a proper date.
“It doesn’t seem too soon?” he asks with a note of hesitation.
“Too soon to go on a date or too soon to celebrate?”
“Either?”
“It’s definitely not too soon for our first real date. In fact, I’m probably a little late in asking. As for Derek, he’s robbed enough from us.”
He’s been warned to stay away, and I’m choosing to believe he’ll heed that warning…because what other choice do we have? Never go out? Live in a constant state of worry that he’s going to show up?No thanks.
“Okay, sure, as long as?—”
“I’m paying. This ismeaskingyouon adate,” I say, interrupting him, knowing he was going to put up a fight. “You’re saving your money. All of it,” I remind him. “And as soon as you let me help, we’re investing it, so you can hit your goals even faster.”
I know I won’t truly believe this thing we have is real until Zeke is financially independent andstillchooses to be with me.
Until then, I’m going to soak up every minute I’m blessed with.
“You’re impossible,” he says, but I hear the smile in his voice.
“Only when it comes to you. I’ll be home by five-thirty. Think about where you’d like to eat.”
The domesticity in that sentence has my heart flutteringin my chest, and the knowledge that I won’t be coming home to an empty house has my soul singing.
“Honey, I’mhoooooooome,”I yell, stepping inside the house from the garage.
Zeke’s sitting at the bar, dressed in jeans and a button-down. He begrudgingly allowed me to expand his wardrobe from the sweats collection he had when he realized he couldn’t wear sweatpants to work.
