Page 58 of More Than a Helping Hand

Primrose is still in her nightshirt. This time without the leggings. “Your sister?”

“Yep.” I pull pancakes off the griddle and add a few more to cook. Then I flip the bacon. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starved. While you finish up, I’ll make coffee and shower.” She inches up and kisses my shoulder. “It’s a treat seeing you without a shirt first thing in the morning, but cooking bacon shirtless is dangerous. Don’t hurt yourself on my account.” She winks and steps inside. A second later, she walks out holding an apron. “Or you could wear this.”

I don the apron and have her tie the back. “Thanks.”

“That might be even sexier.”

If I didn’t have food on the griddle. I’d scoop her up and carry back to that counter. But I don’t want to burn breakfast.

I’m hoping that if the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, that maybe this food will be the way to Prim’s trust. I think she trusts me more than she trusts herself, and I need her to trust us both.

CHAPTER21

PRIMROSE

For the next couple of months, Anderson and I continue dating. With Bailey back in school, it’s easier to schedule time with him. When I have a weekday off, like today, we pack a picnic lunch and find a quiet place to meet. He’s already here with a blanket laid out when I pull up.

“Hey, good-looking.” I give him a hug and a peck.

He toys with my hair. “Have I mentioned how much I like touching your hair? It’s so soft.”

“I use a good conditioner.” I don’t want his flirting distracting me from what I need to ask him. We settle on the blanket, and as he pulls food out of the basket, I launch into what I’m hesitant to ask. “Bailey asked me several days ago if I was busy this coming Friday. I told her that I had to work, and she didn’t say anything else. Even when I asked why she wanted to know, she just shrugged and said ‘no reason.’ After two days of her looking down in the dumps, I pressed until she explained. Because—surprise—there was a reason. She has a career-day thing at school, where each student brings in one person to talk about what they do. She’s wanted me to talk about nursing, but it falls on a day I have to work. And because of my classes, I can’t switch shifts with someone. Anyway, I told her that Grandma or Grandpa might be able to go or even Bluebonnet, but Bailey asked if you could go. If you can’t, it’s not a big?—”

“Yes. And I won’t even tell Parker that Bailey picked me.” Grinning, he hands me a cold can of sparkling water. “Tell me what time to be up at the school, and I’ll make it happen. And I promise to wear a shirt.”

“Good. Because some of those teachers would lose their minds if they saw you shirtless.” I pop the top on my can. “Not to mention the single moms that might be there. I can’t speak for all of us, only about ninety-nine percent, but you’re hot.”

“I already said I’d go. You don’t have to flatter me.” He hands over a sandwich. “How is school going for you?”

“Pretty good. Classes aren’t hard. Time is the issue, but I only have two more semesters. Then I take the exam. That’s what I keep telling myself.”

“You amaze me, Prim. I’m not sure how you manage it all.”

The admiration in his gaze warms my insides.

These last couple of months, there have been no passionate counter kisses, only quick regular kisses and lots of talking. And he’s still showing up. So am I, but the doubts aren’t gone. I’ve just managed to shove them into a closet. For now.

“I’ll get the details for career day and text you. She’ll be really excited.”

“It’ll be fun. I’m happy to do it.” He finishes off his first sandwich, then picks up another. “Would you be up for another overnight getaway?”

“Yes.” I swear the man can read my mind. “The other thing I wanted to talk about today was the upcoming three-day weekend. My mom wants to start a tradition with Bailey where they go away on a girls’ weekend. They’ll shop, get their nails done. That sort of thing. And she wants to do it that weekend. She invited me, but I could tell she was hoping I wouldn’t say yes. And I think it’ll be good for Bailey to spend that time with her grandma.”

“So you’ll be lonely and in need of company on Saturday and Sunday.”

“And Friday night. They leave in the afternoon that day. And also part of Monday. They won’t come home until in the afternoon sometime.”

He pulls out his phone. “I’ve been looking at places we could go. What do you think of this house on the coast? It’s only about three hours from here.” He swipes through pictures. "What do you think?”

“It looks amazing, but I feel bad that you have to keep spending money.”

“Don’t feel bad. I spend money on whatever I like.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to some quality time with you away from everyone we know.” I’m pricked with guilt about still sneaking around, but it’s only been a few months. Although everything about this relationship feels different, I’m still nervous that things will implode. We’ll see how the getaway goes, and maybe after, we can ease into dating openly.

My parents and sister no longer ask what I’m doing when Bailey stays over, and I appreciate it. Pretty sure they don’t ask because they know the answer and approve heartily.

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