Page 38 of Ever With Me

“How is it you can receive my call with your shitty service, by the way? Are you not home?”

He could practically hear her smirk.

“My, my, someone’s a little nosy tonight. There’s this thing called Wi-Fi calling. You really should think about adopting twenty-first-century technology, old man.”

Right.He should know that.

Why am I calling her?The whole idea seemed ill-conceived. Foolish.

Yet outside of Cormac, he didn’t know anyone else around here.

“I was hungry. You know of any good places for takeout around here?”

“At midnight?” She laughed. “My grandfather’s pub is still open. I might get the kitchen to make something for you, but how will you pick it up?”

“You can bring it to me.” He leaned into his chair with a self-satisfied smile.

“I’m not your errand girl.” Her voice was flat.

“You are now. You can deduct it from the time you owe me.”

Maddie groaned. “You’re the worst, you know that? Fine. What do you want?”

“Surprise me. I’m on the back deck...not naked this time.”

“Good. I think I’m still half blind. Be there in like a half hour.”

He hung up with a smile on his lips. Had he really just called her and demanded she bring him food? He wasn’t even that hungry.

But there was something inherently thrilling about having her at his disposal.

True to her word, Maddie pulled up about a half hour later and climbed onto the back deck, a paper bag in hand, scowl on her face. “I brought you a pit beef sandwich and fries. The kitchen was closing. Also, Travis told me to tell you that you should come by his shop tomorrow. He wants to discuss the car repair with you.” She thrust the bag into his lap. “Good night.”

He hid a smile. She wore leggings and a white crop top, a zip-up fleece hastily thrown on top of that. Despite the casualness of her outfit—it was a far cry from that breezy skirt she’d worn over here today—she looked cute.

And she’s already leaving.

“What’s pit beef?”

“It’s a Maryland thing. It’s good. Like a roast beef sandwich, but way better.” She kept walking without looking back.

“How much do I owe you?”

“On the house. I got it for free.” She was already approaching the stairs.

“Care to join me?” he asked, gesturing to the other empty chair beside the firepit.

“Are you serious right now?” She glared at him. “Some of us have businesses to run. Lives to live. We’re not all on vacation this week.” She turned to go down the stairs.

A strange, desperate feeling floated through him. “I just wanted you to know...about Paulette. It’s not true.”

She froze in place. Slowly, she glanced his way over her shoulder. “It’s not any of my business.”

Brooks stared at her figure in the moonlight. Why did it matter to him that she know the truth? She didn’t care, and he shouldn’t either.

But he pressed on. “You asked me about it, and it makes a difference. I have never, not ever, lifted my hand to a woman. I never will, either. I never slapped Paulette.”

She turned toward him with a frown. “Then why would she say that?”

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