Page 17 of Sugar Pie
“I like you here.” Maybe she held the coffee near her face because she wanted me to ask, so I said, “My offer is still on the table.”
She shook her head. “Don’t bring it up, or I won’t give you this coffee.”
I pursed my lips and remembered my earlier goal to make her laugh. “You’re mean.”
She curved her lips into a smile. “Take that back.”
I stood, walked to her side, then reached for the coffee. When I brushed her arm, she jumped and giggled.
I took my seat and stared at her. She had an innocence about her that hit me. She’d been married, but I didn’t mention her past. “You’re ticklish.”
She cut her food. “Everyone is.”
“No, that’s not true.” Next time, I would find something hilarious to say to her, as her giggle was cute. For the time being, I ate the eggs and toast. While it wasn’t the buffet of options that Jose had left out for us as kids, Kerry’s simple breakfast filled my stomach, and the coffee sent a buzz through me that almost matched my awareness of her proximity.
Once we’d finished the dishes, I waved for her to join me on the couch. “Well, let’s sit and search for jobs.”
“Exactly.” She scooted into the seat opposite me.
We both responded to emails, read bids, and applied for jobs. I was getting a headache. I’d only booked three jobs for that day, but four so far for the next. I looked at the clock and wished I had more going on. Then I glanced at Kerry, who curled her knees to her body as she typed. My lips tingled to taste her. “How’re the emails going?”
She sighed. “I wish I had a computer.”
“Maybe that could be in the budget for next week, if I book enough jobs now.” I wished for the state-of-the-art laptop I’d left at home and cringed about how I forgot something so important. It wasn’t like me to forget details.
“You don’t have to do anything because of me.”
Maybe it would have been easier to let her go, but I winked. “I like doing things for you, but in this case, it’s more for me. Bidding, scheduling, emails, and reading are all easier on a big screen and a keyboard. I didn’t think to pack for my adventure.”
She lowered her phone. “Adventure. Job searching?”
The way she pursed her lips made me aware of her. I wanted to kiss her and gently remove her pout. Instead, I blinked then said, “Yeah. Moving was a bit of a last-minute shock that spurred me into my plan, and I forgot it, but I like to think of life as an adventure.”
She cocked her head. “That’s a good philosophy. I might steal that one.”
Good. Taking life seriously was for the birds. “Why don’t you have a computer?”
She sucked in her bottom lip then let out a sigh. “I did, but on the drive back from Florida, I just decided I was done. Out I went, and here I am.”
The highway to Florida was hours from where we were. I narrowed my gaze. “Did you walk from the highway?”
“Yeah.” She scooted closer. “I had to ensure I wasn’t easily found, so I walked.”
Her nearness made my skin jump with anticipation. I stared down at her. “Was your ex abusive?”
She shook her head and stood as if burned. “More mental than anything else, but soon, I’ll be free.” She rushed out of the room to get her things then ran to the door like there was a fire. She waved as she opened it. “And in the meantime, I have to go. See you tonight for dinner?”
Her strength floored me, and she clearly hadn’t wanted to talk. I stood and pointed to the counter she’d passed. “Take the twenty on the table and buy us something else.”
She went back and took it with a nod.
I came closer and said, “I’ll try to be home to help as fast as I can so we can go out.”
“Shopping, not a date.” She stopped then let her shoulders drop. “I guess since we’re living together temporarily, it’s nice to have a friend. Good luck today. Text me.”
Done. I also sent her contact info to my brother in case she accepted legal help. She headed out, though I had no idea where she was going.
Time to get to my job was looming, but I returned to the couch and finished a few more bids and emails.
