“Woman. I’ll be here. Keep your ass in the house,” he says, practically growling.
I cock my brow. He has a point, but I’ve just made myself upset by his non-committal to a hot date. It’s stupid because he said he has no plans. I think I’ve gone into a clingy stage without a relationship. I could kick myself.
Needing to get my mind off him, I go into the laundry room and wash some clothes. I know it’s not my chore, but since I need to wash my own, it would only be considerate to do his. For the rest of the morning I do four loads of laundry including his clothes, leaving his underwear and socks in a basket washed but not folded. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. I’m in the middle of bringing the clothes upstairs when I hear him coming through the front door.
“Woman, where are you?”
“I’m coming right down.” I hurry down the steps and nearly collide into him.
“Whoa. You need to be a little more careful, Ava. By the way, I was going to call you to tell you I was ready, but I don’t have your number.”
“I only have a burner phone that I haven’t turned on since I purchased it just in case they find out where I bought it.”
“Okay. While we’re out I’ll get you a new phone and we can toss the burner phone.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Actually I do. I need to be able to get in touch with you. It’s been straightforward and calm the past couple of days, but it’s not always this easy. Some days, you’ll have to start cooking later or make enough food for the rest of the crew.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“It’s a part of the job. Don’t worry about it. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I nod, walking into the closet and pulling out my winter coat and boots. I wear a long sweater and leggings like when we met and my coat only goes to my waist so my legs might be a little chilly, but I don’t want to make him wait.
“Ready,” I turn, smiling up at him.
He shakes his head. “That’s not going to do at all. It’s fucking cold. Do you have a hat or earmuffs?”
“Yeah.” I reach into my purse and pull out the Bears beanie that he let me borrow. “The one I confiscated from you.”
“Good.” He takes it from me and places it on my head. “Let’s go before it gets any later.”
“Do you have a lot of work to do? I have my car. I’m sure the roads are better. It’s not like I haven’t driven in snow. I did get here in one piece.”
“Enough. I’m your boss, and I’m telling you that I’ll drive you to the store. And before you start some more shit, I’m buying the groceries. It is, after all, for me.”
“I eat the food too.”
“I can leave your ass here and go myself.”
“You wouldn’t,” I challenge.
“Don’t test me, babe.” I nearly swoon when he calls me babe. It’s been days. I’m ready to test him, but I’ll wait until later. I leave the house first and he snarls as I meet the first patch of ice, squealing as his hands come to my rescue. I’m inches from tumbling down the seven steps. “See? I can’t let you walk down the stairs by yourself.”
“It could happen to anyone.”
“I know. I’ll have to get that taken care of as soon as I get you in the truck.” I see that the large Ram is running in front of the house. He walks me to the passenger side, his hand gripping my bicep firmly. Once he helps me inside of the vehicle, he pulls out a shovel from the bed of the truck and scrapes off the ice before sprinkling a little salt. There’s an eave on the porch that has a melting icicle. He steps to the side and knocks it off with the shovel to prevent it from falling.
Then he hurries back to the truck, placing the shovel in the back again before getting inside.
“I was expecting you to take a dive out there.”
“Wishful thinking?”
“No, but you know when someone arrogantly reminds you how clumsy you are, then they do something and end up making asses of themselves as well.”
“I do. Karma didn’t come for my ass just yet, but buckle up tight. I’ve bashed your skills on the icy roads as well.”
“Oh don’t say that. I’m going to freak out.”
“I’m not. I’ve been driving these roads since I was fourteen. I’m, well, I’m not young anymore.”
“How old are you? You make it sound like you’re touching fifty and if you are, damn—you are looking good for your age.”
“No, I’m not that old. I’m thirty-two.” He pulls out of the driveway through the gate onto the main road.