Page 50 of What We Keep
“I thought we might order pizza because it’s been a hectic day, and I haven’t had time to prep anything,” our mom said.
“I don’t mind driving into town to pick it up,” I offered.
“All right, you order enough for everybody.” She looked over at Chloe. “Do you want to stay for dinner? You can stay for dinner any night.”
“I actually need to get home and make my dad dinner.”
“Well, he is also welcome for dinner anytime.” My mom shooed us out. “Chloe and I have things to work on. You could watch us, but I’d prefer not.”
“Good to meet you, Chloe,” I called as Cole and I began to make our way out. “We’ll see you around, and we’ll come up with a schedule.”
Cole nudged me with his shoulder as we walked down the hall. “I gotta go finish up the wiring. It’s still funky in the laundry area.” Cole was a trained electrician, among other things. “Make sure to get a pepperoni pizza.”
“As if I wouldn’t get a pepperoni pizza,” I deadpanned.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Haven
A few minutes later, I was walking out to my truck when my phone vibrated with a text. When I glanced down at it, my pulse started kicking faster when I saw Elsa’s name—or rather, Sunny. Because that was what I’d named her in my phone.
Sunny: Apparently, my battery’s dead.
Me: I’m headed to town to pick up pizza. You want me to pick you up?
Sunny: I’d prefer for my battery not to be dead.
Me: We can take care of that later.
Sunny: In that case, I’m at my office. It’s two streets past Firehouse Café. Take a left on that street, and the office is on the right.
Me: I know where the wildlife office is.
Sunny: Of course you do, smart-ass. You’re Mr. Wilderness.
Me: What does that mean?
Sunny: Just that.
I chuckled to myself and resisted the urge to call her for the sole purpose of hearing her voice.
Me: Should be there in about a half hour.
I didn’t let myself think too hard about the fact that I was smiling almost the whole drive into town.
I called ahead with the pizza order, then stopped to pick up Elsa. She was waiting outside beside her car. She looked adorable, as always. Her blond hair was up in a ponytail, her cheeks pink. Today, instead of sand, she sported a few streaks of mud on her jeans.
“What’d you do today?” I asked as I approached.
She bit her lip. In a flash, I realized I was already gone for this woman. So fucking gone. All she had to do was smile, and I could have happily stood there in the beam of sun her smile created all day. For all of my days.
“I helped with a day camp for third graders. We learned how to dig for clams, hence the mud.” She swept her hand up and down her body.
“I see.” I stopped in front of her and didn’t even resist the urge to kiss her. I dipped my head and laid one on her. She let out a startled exclamation into our kiss but got with the program real quick.
A moment later, I was hard, and we were both breathless when I lifted my head. A low whistle nearby reached us, and Elsa’s cheeks got even pinker as she glanced over.
“Hey, Jude,” I called.
