Page 21 of Doughn't Let Me Go

Opening an app, I order a ride for Dory from the only car available in this tiny town.

I wish I were more of a gentleman in this moment, offering to give her a ride back to Slice, but I have a feeling she wouldn’t accept it anyway.

“Your ride will be here in about ten minutes, and it’s already paid for. There’s a coffee pot in the kitchen. Feel free to help yourself to whatever. I’m going to shower.”

She blinks at me.

Then blows out a relieved breath.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

I slide open a drawer, grabbing a pair of underwear and socks, and then stand here.

Waiting.

For her to leave.

For me to leave.

For this to end.

I move first.

Ihaveto move first.

“Porter?” she calls to me.

I stop but don’t turn.

“I’m sorry about the kisses.”

* * *

“Good morning, Mr. Jones.”

I frown over the rim of my coffee mug. “Please, Fran, call me Porter. Mister makes me sound all fancy and shit.”

“But, sir, youarefancy. And shit.” She winks, walking past me and into the house.

I laugh, closing the door behind her and leading the way to the kitchen.

“Can I get you a cup of coffee? Something to eat?”

“I’ll pass on the food, but coffee would be wonderful. I’m not much of a breakfast person.”

I tsk. “Just when I thought you were perfect, you go and drop that bomb on me. Breakfast food is the answer to all of life’s problems.”

“Just think of it this way: if I skip it, just means more for you.”

“Okay, I like you again.”

She laughs, taking a seat at the expansive island I had installed during the remodel.

The house I purchased is right along the coastline. It’s the one thing I really wanted when I bought my first house with my ex-wife, but we were much too broke to afford this sort of view.

Now, though, it was on my must-have list.

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