Page 85 of Strictly the Worst

When I open the door my breath catches in my throat. The smell of his shower gel makes me think of Exuma and how the bathroom would smell after he used it. But he’s not dressed for Exuma. He’s dressed for work. Manual, dirty work.

Torn jeans. Gray Henley. Unshaven face with just the right amount of beard. I like it a little too much.

“Good morning,” I say, as he lifts up the brown bag and tray of styrofoam cups he’s holding. The smell of coffee makes my stomach growl with appreciation. I try to peer into the bag to see what food he brought.

“You’re so greedy,” he complains, pulling the bag away from me as he steps inside. “Nice place.”

He only saw it from the outside when he dropped us off after the concert. And the exterior is pretty decent.

“Thanks. Oh, mind that hole.”

I try not to giggle as he almost falls into it. “I thought you said there weren’t any more holes,” he mutters.

“In the living room,” I say. “But the plumbers had to go down into the pipes in the hall yesterday.” Now that the electric is done, the plumbers are getting ready to help me change the bathroom around. Luckily, there are no pipes beneath the living room, so I get to make it into my haven without more delay.

“Where’s Zoe?” Linc asks as we walk into the kitchen. He puts the bag and tray down on the tiny table in the center.

“Give me coffee and I’ll tell you,” I say. “I can’t think straight without one.”

“You haven’t made coffee yet?” he asks. “That’s a mistake. Even I know you’re a grouch without caffeine.”

“I’m not a grouch.” I pout. His eyes catch mine and there’s a darkness there I feel pulse through me.

“Yes you are.”

Okay, so I am.

He pulls the four cups from the tray. “I didn’t know if Zoe drank coffee or would want hot chocolate, so I bought both.”

“Did somebody say my name?” Zoe asks, her voice groggy as she pads into the kitchen. She’s still wearing her pajamas and strands of her hair are plastered to her face from where she’s been sleeping. “Oh, hi Linc.”

She doesn’t blink an eyelid at him being here. Like it’s just another normal day.

“Morning, kiddo. Hot chocolate or coffee?” he asks her.

“Both. I like mocha.”

For a moment I wonder if I’m in a parallel universe. One where it’s completely normal for a handsome guy to walk into our place on a Saturday morning bringing food for Zoe and me.

It’s amazing how easily she’s accepting this. Whatever this is.

I wish it was as easy for me.

He hands her both cups and she takes a sip out of one then the other, mixing the liquid in her mouth like a damn washer.

“Put them into a cup,” I tell her.

“God.” Zoe rolls her eyes, but gets a mug out of the cupboard and pours half of each into it. “You need to take a chill pill, Mom.”

Linc starts to laugh and I send him a narrow-eyed look which only makes him laugh more.

“Go get dressed,” I tell her. “We start work in half an hour.”

“What food do you have?” Zoe asks Linc, completely ignoring me.

Linc glances my way. “Pastries. But you probably need to do what your mom says.”

Thank you. I send him a smile.

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