Marriage For One

“I tried to leave a set of keys with you this morning, but when I knocked on your door, you were already gone and I had to leave for work,” he explained. Surprised, I couldn’t think of anything to say. Then he reappeared in the archway and came back to stand in front of me, patiently waiting for an explanation.

It hit me, and I winced. “Ah, is that why you come here to pick me up every night?” I blew out a breath and sighed. “I was just thinking I shouldn’t keep apologizing to you, but for the last time, I’m sorry. I hope you haven’t been cutting your plans short and coming here just because I don’t have a key.”

“No need to apologize. I only thought about the key last night, and no, I’m not coming here every night just because you don’t have a key. Today, I was already on the east side, and when I couldn’t get in touch with you, I thought I’d come here and give you a ride back.”

What about all the other nights? I wanted to ask but kept my mouth shut.

“I’m still having trouble sleeping. I’m not exactly sure why, but I always wake up at four or five. I wait until six and then leave. Instead of tossing and turning in bed, I try to do something useful around here.” I met his gaze, out of words, out of explanations.

“I know what time you leave, Rose.”

As soon as he finished his sentence, he started to take off his suit jacket, and my attention shifted again.

“Uh, what are you doing?”

“I’m assuming the bookcase won’t be living on the floor and you want it up, correct?” He looked around and then pointed to the exact spot I’d planned to put it, right next to where my humongous espresso machine was going to happily take up residence in just a few days. “There?”

“Yes, that’s wha…”

He unbuttoned his cuffs and my gaze dropped to follow his movements. This again? Then he started to roll his sleeves up, and I couldn’t remember what I had been about to say—which was becoming annoying, if nothing else—but also his fingers looked really long. Apart from having strong features, insanely beautiful eyes, a very enjoyable-to-look-at face, and a jawline that worked extremely well with that broody personality he had going on, he also had very manly hands. That must’ve been nice for him. They were easily twice the size of mine. They looked strong. The kind that made you look twice, if you were into that sort of thing. Apparently I was. Very.

Jeez, Rose.

I mentally shook myself out of it, looked away, cleared my throat, and spoke up. “I was planning on doing that tomorrow. You don’t have to get your clothes dirty, Jack. I can handle it myself.”

I wasn’t one of those people who would reject help at all times, but getting help from Jack…I didn’t want to be indebted to him more than I already was.

Ignoring me, he moved toward the bookcase while still working on those sleeves, for Christ’s sake. I followed him in quick steps, my eyes—the traitors—stealing glances at his hands rolling those sleeves up. He was still wearing his ring, he never took it off.

“Jack, I can take care of it. You really don’t have to—”

“You don’t have to handle it all on your own. I’m here. I’m capable of moving a bookcase.”

“I know that. Of course you are, but I’m saying you don’t have to do it. I’m used to handling things on my own, and that’s what I’m comfortable wi—”

The sleeves had been rolled meticulously, so he lifted his head to give me a long look. I shut up.

Fine.

If he wanted to get his expensive suit dirty, he was welcome to do so. After scolding me with a simple stare, he started to walk around the bookcase.

“It might scratch the flooring,” he said as he glanced up at me and then back down.

“No, it won’t. I put four of those soft thingies under the legs, so it won’t scratch.”

That got him to look at me. “Thingies,” he deadpanned.

I couldn’t help it—my lips slowly curved up and I smiled, with my teeth showing and all. “Sure, it sounds ridiculous when you say it.” If one of us didn’t relax around the other, I was surely going to commit murder before the twenty-four months ended. Since I didn’t think Jack ever relaxed or had ever relaxed before, it looked like I was going to be the lucky winner in this marriage.

I was going to try my best to loosen up around him and ignore the fact that he was the type of guy I always stayed away from.

Because we were complete opposites.

Because we had very different outlooks on life.

Because, because, because…

He was standoffish, prickly, arrogant at times, aloof.