Defend

“You can do that?”

Brent grins and kisses me again with even more fervor than before. I vaguely hear Gregory groan and the fridge door closing as my senses hone in on Brent and only Brent. My nails dig into his shoulders. I sigh with displeasure as he pulls away; he even walks away from me! He goes over to the refrigerator and grabs a carton of ice cream and a spoon.

“What was that last kiss for?” I ask.

“Because of your answer about getting married.”

I frown. “What’s so special about my answer?”

Brent leans against the counter next to me. He grins as he scoops up ice cream. “Because you didn’t say we wouldn’t get married on the cruise. You asked if it was possible, which tells me that if I did ask you to marry me, you’d say yes.”

“Oh, come on! That is not what my answer says! I was surprised you can get married on a cruise, that’s all.”

He shrugs. “I actually don’t know if you can or can’t. Haven’t ever thought about it or tried it. And don’t lie; you’d say yes.”

I roll my eyes, opting not to say anything. Speaking would be dangerous. If I say yes, then he might think I’m ready for marriage. If I say no, then he might be hurt and think I’ll never be ready for marriage or that I don’t want to ever get married. Either way, now is not the time to discuss it. Instead, I ask, “You going to share your ice cream with me or what?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He scoops up a spoonful and feeds it to me. He takes a bite for himself and then leans over to kiss my neck, assaulting me with coldness that sends shivers down my spine. The ice cream doesn’t feel nearly as good as when his tongue takes over. “Let me know when you’re ready for bed.”

“We can go now.”

He tosses the spoon over his shoulder and it clanks into the sink. Brent stalks over to the refrigerator to put the ice cream back in its place. Then, he turns and faces me with one eyebrow raised. That’s all it takes for me to hop down off the counter and follow him up to his room.

“When we’re not together and I’m spending my nights at work, are you at home or here?” Jamie asks.

It’s Wednesday and we’re at the shop because I wanted to get this car fixed by tomorrow, but I also wanted to see her since she didn’t have to work tonight. Rain pounds on the roof, sounding angry and insistent. She’s cleared herself a small space on a nearby table, laid a towel on it, and is over there working on schoolwork. Apparently, she’s also thinking about my working habits.

“Are you trying to figure out if you’ve cured me of my workaholic ways?”

She glances over her shoulder at me. “I don’t have to be the cure. I just want to know if you’re working less. I know Kayla was concerned, and you admitted yourself you are here if you don’t want to be home.”

“You told me I need to work on the art of doing nothing. I’ve been at the house more than here. Do you want to call my brothers?” I tease.

She turns back to her work. “No, I trust you. Do you miss it?”

Hmm. Do I? “A little,” I admit. “Not as much as I thought I would. But I have you to keep me busy and there’s no sense in worrying everyone.”

I hear her tsk a few times. “Trading one addiction for another.” I can imagine the smile on her face.

“And you are much better, hon.”

She laughs. “Quit talking to me. I’m trying to work.”

“This is probably going to take longer than I thought. Are you hungry? We can go grab something now.”

“Not yet. Now, ssh.”

I smile and leave her be, but a minute or so later, we hear doors closing outside.

“Are you expecting someone, Brent?”

“No. We’re officially closed. Stay right there.” I wipe my hands and walk to the door over by the receptionist’s desk just as there comes a knock. When I round the corner and look through the glass, I can’t believe my eyes. “Ah, Jamie, might want to get over here.”

“Why? Who is it?” she asks as her chair scrapes against the concrete.

I unlock the door and open it. “Hello, Mrs. Alexander.” I nod to her and then to Jamie’s father. “Mr. Alexander. I’d shake your hand, but,” I hold my hands up, “they aren’t the cleanest right now. Come on in.” Now isn’t the time to be mean and make them stand in the rain, even with their umbrella.

Jamie comes to stand next to me once I’ve closed the door behind them. “What are y’all doing here?” she asks, clearly as confused as I am. “How did you know where to find me?”