His hand covers mine on his stomach, and he tips his head down toward me. “You’re welcome.” I slide under his arm and rest against him, then hear him sigh when his phone rings on the counter next to the sink.
“Take it. I’ll finish with this.” I take the spatula from him, and he kisses the side of my head.
“I’ll be quick.”
“Don’t rush,” I murmur as he picks up his phone, walks out of the kitchen, and puts it to his ear. I finish browning the meat, then pick up the jar of sauce and try to open the lid, banging it against the counter in frustration when it won’t budge.
“I’m so sorry, baby.” I turn as Calvin comes toward me, now dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved flannel shirt with his badge clipped to his belt, carrying his shoes. “I have to leave.”
“Is everything okay?”
“There was a big accident. They’re asking everyone to come in to help clear it. I shouldn’t be gone long.” He takes a seat on one of the chairs and puts on his shoes. I set down the jar and walk across the room to him, and he runs his hand up the back of my bare thigh.
“I’ll finish dinner. We’ll eat when you get back.”
“Thank you.” He stands and kisses me swiftly, then looks down at Bane, who’s waiting to find out what’s happening. “Take care of Anna,” he orders, and then, before I can blink again, he’s gone.
I look down at Bane when I hear the front door close, and he falls to his stomach and rests his head against his paws with a groan.
I go back to the counter and pick up the jar of sauce, groaning to myself when I can’t get it open no matter what I try. I chew the inside of my cheek, then go to the pantry to see what he has and come out with an array of beans, one onion, a can of chopped tomatoes, and tomato paste. I place the already cooked meat in a bowl, then chop up an onion and add it, the tomatoes, some of the tomato paste, and a few spices to the pan. I cook it all down before adding the beans along with the meat. I taste it when I’m done and smile. It’s not spaghetti, but it’s delicious. I just hope Calvin likes chili. I set it to simmer and clean up the kitchen; then, with nothing to do, I go to the living room and search for the TV remote. When I don’t find it, I take a seat on the couch, and Bane joins me in the quiet, and we both end up dozing off.
I blink my eyes open when Bane starts barking and then sit up and push my hair out of my face. “Bane, come here,” I call, and he runs into the room, barks at me, and runs back out as the doorbell rings. I push off the couch and go to the front door to look out the etched glass, seeing what looks like a young woman on the porch.
My insides twist with unfamiliar jealousy. Calvin and I just started seeing each other, and I’m sure a man who’s as attractive as him dated a lot. He could still be dating now, since we haven’t discussed if we’re exclusive, which is something dumb to think about now, especially since we’ve had sex multiple times. I open the door and see it’s not a woman but a girl who looks about fifteen or sixteen.
“Anna?” She smiles as I hold on to the door to keep Bane inside.
“Yes.”
“I’m Sam, Herb’s daughter. Calvin called my mom. He said he’s been trying to get ahold of you, but you weren’t answering. He asked her to send me over to check on you.”
“Crap, my phone is on silent. Please, come in.” I rush to the bedroom and pull on a pair of sweats from my bag, then get my phone out of my purse. When I turn on the screen, I see I have over ten missed calls, three voice mails, and a few texts. I step back into the hall and see Sam getting down on the floor with Bane, who obviously knows her well. “I’m just going to call him back really quick.”
“Sure.” She smiles at me as Bane rests fully on her lap.
I dial his number and put my phone to my ear.
“I’ve been trying to get ahold of you,” he says as a greeting.
“I’m so sorry. I fell asleep on the couch, and my phone was on silent. Is everything okay?”
“Besides worrying about you? Yeah, everything’s fine. We’re finishing up now. The fire department just left, so I should be home within an hour or so.”
“You shouldn’t have been worrying about me. I’m okay,” I tell him as I walk down the hall toward the kitchen to check on dinner.