Page 91 of Show Me How
There’s not too much in there yet, and it won’t be anywhere near full by the time we clear the cabin out. The only things Millie has here are clothes, shoes, makeup, and hair products. Still, there’s more than enough of each to worry me that I won’t have room for it all at my place.
She warned me.
I set the bag down beside the first and turn back to the cabin. Lacey’s stepping outside with a suitcase rolling behind her. Then, Millie appears, holding a small box.
“For someone who came here with nothing, you aren’t leaving the same way,” I muse.
Millie follows Lacey, glancing at me as she passes. “Some of us need more than a stick of deodorant and the same outfit to wear every day.”
“Hey, I use soap too.”
“I stand corrected,” she teases, her tone light tonight. Happy.
“Is that everything?” Lacey asks once she’s slid the suitcase inside the van. She takes the box from Millie and adds it.
Millie nods, palming her hips. “I just want to say bye to Shelly before I go. You guys can head out.”
“Alright. I’ll see you in a few, then,” Lacey says, rounding the van.
She slips into the driver’s seat and starts the engine. It rattles, showing its age as the dark smoke plumes from the tailpipe. I clear my throat, waiting until she’s pulled away to speak.
“I’ll wait here for you.”
Millie turns from the gravel drive. “You can go. I’m not going to crash on the short drive there.”
“That’s not why I’m going to stay, but thank you. I’ll add that to my list of concerns.”
“I don’t need you to watch over me, Shade,” she argues.
“Alright, but I want to anyway.”
And that’s the fucking truth right there. The reason behind the restlessness that’s been prowling beneath my skin these past few days. It’s why I asked her to stay with me at my place and why I’ve been doing everything in my fucking power to keep her from leaving town.
I’ve becomeattached.
She’s my friend, and I’ve started seeing her as someone I want to keep in my life instead of a visitor free to come and go as she pleases.
Pushing past my frustration with that revelation, I add roughly, “Go see Shelly, Millie. I’m waiting.”
“Alright. If you’re sure,” she mumbles, eyeing me curiously.
I scowl, immediately closing up. Instead of answering, I act like a downright asshole and pull out my phone, trying to busy myself with something other than her. Her shoes crunch in thegravel as she leaves, heading in the opposite direction of where I’m silently telling myself off.
Only once the sound of her footsteps has all but disappeared do I look in the direction of the office. It’s cold as shit today, and I know she’s wearing those goddamn high heels despite the rocks in the gravel. She’s a walking hazard, and it’s driving me insane.
Tipping my head back, I shove my phone back in my pocket and groan so loud I’m sure I scare the birds from the trees. I don’t give myself a chance to change my mind before heading after her, following the trail of sweet perfume.
She hasn’t made it that far yet. Not with the shoes on her feet. As talented as she is with walking in those death traps, there’s only so good you can be while dragging them through rocks and dirt.
The moment she hears me following, she looks over her shoulder, and her brow climbs up her forehead. I inhale and call for her.
“Hop on.”
“Hop on what?” she asks, starting to spin around.
Before she can, I’m dropping to my haunches in front of her and pulling her onto my back. Her shocked squeal is music to my ears. She grabs onto my shoulders, her hands clasping against my sternum. I shift my hands to her thighs and encourage her to wrap them around me.
“You could have driven,” I grunt.
