I pick out a Malteser chocolate and start to unwrap it.
“How on earth do you stay in shape eating all this?” My eyes widen just as I realise what I blurted out, and he peers at me, eyes lighting up. At this point, I’d appreciate it if the earth could swallow me up.
“Have you been checking me out, princess?”
I stick the chocolate in my mouth, shaking my head, chewing slowly so I don't have to answer. I can feel the heat rise in my cheeks.
“To answer your question, I jog to the gym in the mornings, work out for an hour and jog back,” he finishes making our drinks and comes over, handing it to me and taking the bag of chocolates, and that's when I notice he has a hot chocolate instead.
Someone has a serious chocolate problem.
“That sounds like a lot of effort.”
“Well, sometimes I forget I’m supposed to go to the gym and end up at the butty van just outside the building; they do the best sausage and egg muffins, but that stays between us,” he winks, and I let out a soft giggle.
“I can see how you get confused.”
“Right? Did you know the gym also has a connected dance studio? They have classes on most days.”
I bite my lip, instantly knowing where he might be going with this conversation.
“I don't dance anymore.”
“Why not?” his blue eyes look right into mine, and I want to look away, but I can't.
“I don't want to talk about it.” I drink my coffee as he nods slowly.
“I get it,” he says, but I don't think anyone could get it.
How are you supposed to do the things you used to love again when you feel so dead inside? That's what I think every day now.
“I heard Rose wants you to get a job.”
Oh, here we go. I knew it wouldn't be long till he started, and it makes complete sense; it's his house. I’m just an outsider to them.
I want to be angry at him, but it's exhausting, and I knew I would need to get a job so I can move out of there as soon as Ican. I've just been too in my head, but it looks like I can't wait anymore. Life moves on, and grief doesn't pause time for you.
“Don't worry, I’ll get a job soon, and I’ll be out of your hair,” I say bluntly. I put down my mug on a bench nearby, ready to walk home no matter the weather, but just as I turn, he grabs my hand, and my breath hitches.
I gaze down at his large hand enveloping mine. It feels soft, loose, warm, and comforting. “That’s not what I’m saying,” he says, lightly brushing his thumb across my hand before letting it drop. I can still feel tingling on my skin. “There’s no rush at all. I just wanted to mention that, if you’re interested, I can offer you a few shifts here to help out with various tasks.”
I pull the sleeve of my hoodie over my hand. “Rose told me I need to get a job soon, or I'll be out on the streets. Normally, I wouldn't care much for her threats, but I honestly don’t think I would survive out there. I can’t sing to save my life, so that rules out performing, and I really don’t handle the cold well.”
“Willow,” he lets out a laugh as I ramble on. “You're not going to be living on the streets, ever. Rose has no right to threaten you with that, especially when it's my house.”
I chew the inside of my lip. Aren't you supposed to put your wife before a stranger? According to her, whatever is his is hers too.
“She won't be happy.” I can already imagine her reaction.
He tugs on the drawstring of the hoodie I'm wearing, which, by the way, smells too much like him. "Let me handle her. My offer still stands, but just remember that you'll always have a home with us, even when you get back on your feet."
I stand there, shocked that he doesn't want me to leave, which confuses me even more. I watch as he washes the mugs we used and locks up his office while talking about a barbecue his family is having at the end of the month for his niece's birthday. But allI can think about is whether he is as terrible as I imagined him to be all these years.
Chapter 7
Elijah
Anger doesn't even begin to cover what I’m feeling. How dare she tell Willow she needs a job right now—or else she's out on the street? I thought Rose had already hit rock bottom, but apparently, she can sink even lower, and she chooses to do it to her own daughter.
