Page 61 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“Of course,” I answered wondering why she needed my agreement.
“I trust you, Mr. Wolfe, so I’ll wait for your direction. Thank you, both, for letting me talk this frankly to you.”
I reached over and took her hand in mine. She smiled at me and then quickly wiped away a tear. “Take care of him, Ruby. He needs a good, strong woman, and I know that’s you, regardless of your age.”
Sebastian opened his mouth to speak, and I squeezed his knee again. I got the impression he didn’t like her statement.
Amelia stood, saying she’d see me on Monday morning and reminding Sebastian that they were to meet the contractor as well. He nodded, confirmed he had it in his diary, and then she left.
“Well, that was hard,” I said.
“Why? I never promised her anything. I don’t get the dramatics, to be honest. And why the fuck were you squeezing my leg?”
“Are you that blind to love?”
“Oh, give it up. She isn’t in love with me!”
“Maybe notyou, but she is in love with the dom side of you.” He frowned at me. “She’s in love with the person you are when you’re with her, intimately, at least. And I think, perhaps with you, Sebastian as well. I was hoping you’d soften just a little when you spoke to her.”
He frowned some more and gently shook his head. He didn’t get it at all. “Let’s go home. I can’t be doing all this shit.”
I chuckled as he chugged down his coffee, knowing full well that wasn’t the case. He wasn’t angry or irritated, he was confused.
When we arrived back at my house, Monica was sitting with Grandma.
“You’re home early,” she said.
“I got let out for good behaviour,” I replied, chuckling.
She held out her hand to Sebastian who took it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Monica,” he said.
I narrowed my eyes at her when she pretended to swoon.
“I want to sit with Grandma for a few minutes, isthat okay? I can get a cab over to you if you want to go,” I said.
“I’ll wait.”
He strode off to the kitchen and Monica and I went into the living room.
“I don’t know about leaving her for a whole weekend,” I said, quietly. I picked up Grandma’s hand and held it. She ignored me and continued to watch her programme.
“When did you have a weekend off, Ruby?” Monica asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. “Never, I guess.”
“So you deserve it. You’ve met someone that clearly dotes on you, you’re entitled to a life outside being a carer.”
“What about the age difference?” I asked, looking at her.
“What about it? You’re not a child. If you were mid-teens, I’d be calling the police, but you’re twenty, and way older in the head. You’re an adult, he’s an adult. You’re not being coerced, are you?”
“No, not at all. If anything, I’m the one pushing, not him.”
“Then take this opportunity of a weekend away.”
“I don’t want to fall for him,” I whispered.
“You won’t be able to control that, I’m afraid.”
