Page 71 of Burn With Me

His shoulder tense as he responds. “Don’t I fucking know it.”

One thing both of us hate is people who can’t take no for an answer but think that because they aren’t physically assaulting someone, it’s okay. I pull my phone out and shoot Am a message.

Me: Hey, sweetness. I was thinking of Mexican tonight for dinner. Thoughts?

Sweetness: If I ever say no to Mexican food, just off me.

What do you want? I’ll place the order if you pick it up.

Me: Order whatever, I’m not picky. Just make sure to order enough for lunch tomorrow

Unless you want me to make sandwiches or something

Sweetness: I hope you feel my eye roll. You don’t have to make or buy me lunch every day

Me: Yeah . . . but then I worry if you forget to eat.

So I’ll keep making the lunches.

Sweetness: You say that like I forget to eat all the time . . . it’s only some of the time.;) text me when you’re on your way home, and I’ll call it in

I stare at the phone, rereading her last message, and the joy that fills my chest that she called it home like it was ours brings a stupid-ass smile to my face.

“Does that say you make her lunch every day?” Sam says, looking over my shoulder.

I shrug at him. “Yeah, you know damn well she forgets to eat when she hyper-focuses, even without everything going on.” I look back up at him, and the look on his face is hard to read . . . Is he happy or shocked that I said that?

“Huh, normally I would say she’s an adult and has been taking care of herself for a long time. But I’ll accept this answer because she does forget most of the time with her ADHD. It was a worry I had when she announced she was moving so far away until Pam said she was moving with her.”

“Did you really think Pam would have let Amelia move without her?”

“No, not really. Those two are worse than twins, and they aren’t even related. Have you experienced their silent conversations? It is literally the fucking worst.”

“Maybe? How does one have a silent conversation?”

“They just look at each other and have a full-blown conversation without saying a single word. They’ll start laughing or get mad, and you have no idea what’s happening. It’s weird as fuck.”

I think for a second because I don’t think I’ve experienced this. “They might have done that in the Jeep when I was taking them home from the bar, or maybe they just do it around you because they don’t like you? Ouch, fucker,” I say, smiling as I rub the shoulder he punched.

“You jerks done in here, or do you wanna go home? The next shift just walked in,” Carter says as he walks by the dining area we’re sitting in.

I stand with a groan, feeling much older than I am, and roll my shoulders to release some of my tension. “We’re right behind you.”

“Someone’s eager to get to Amelia’s house to make some lunch,” Sam says.

“You make her lunch? I mean, are you trying to bribe her to let you stay?” Carter says, laughing.

“I don’t need lunch to make her want me to stay. That’s just the bonus,” I say with a smirk, and I’m pushed from behind.

“Gross. Still my sister, asshole,” Sam says while he fake gags.

I laugh as I grab my bag and walk toward the door. “Peace out, guys. I’m going home to my woman.”

I fire off a text to Am, letting her know I’m on my way to the rental to grab some stuff and will be on my way with dinner soon.

Forty minutes later, I’m pulling into the driveway and grabbing everything when I feel Penny nudge my leg. “Hey girl, did your mom let you out, or is she coming to help?”

“I’m coming to help.”

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