Page 12 of Deep in Her Marrow

“You ready to head home?” I ask.

She gives me a small smile. “Yes.”

We walk from the gym and continue our way back to Edge’s shop. From the corner of my eye I can see her nervously fidgeting and biting her bottom lip.

“You okay, Darlin’?” I question while keeping my tone neutral and low.

“Yeah, I’m just trying to figure out what to do about shopping.” She replies while giving me a shrug. “I’m making everything for Blaze’s welcome home thing at the shop. But that means I only have two days left.”

“So, what’s the problem? The store opens up early; I’m sure you could go first thing in the morning before work.” I don’t really get why she seems so worried about it. Unless she wants to make something that will take a ton of time.

She bites her lip and gives me a small frown. “I can do that and usually do. Except, I’m usually only buying enough stuff just for me, so it’s not a big deal to carry it all home. But with the amount of things I need to buy, I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that.” She sighs and shakes her head. “And with how small my kitchen is, I really should’ve started like two days ago since I’ll have to do everything one at a time instead of being able to work on two or three things like someone with a bigger kitchen could.” She looks at me with wide eyes. “Not that my kitchen isn’t great or anything.” She stutters. “I love the apartment and am so grateful to be able to live there.”

I hold up my hand with a smile on my face to stop her rambling. “Darlin’, I get it. You can still be grateful and frustrated about your lack of space.”

She looks up at me with relief written all over her face as we approach her door. “I’m just not sure what to do, that’s all.” She gives me a tiny shrug.

An idea pops into my head making me realize I’ve been friends with Edge for too long. But fuck it. His plans worked out well for him. He got the woman in the end; that’s all that matters, right?

“How about this? Why don’t I pick you up early tomorrow morning and take you shopping?” I may or may not be leaving out a few other details.

Her face frozen in shock is comical and it’s killing me not to laugh. “Oh, um, erm, that wouldn’t really be helpful.”

I raise and eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest unintentionally. Later tonight, however, I will be mentally replaying the way she licked her lips when I did it. “And why not?”

She stares at my chest for another moment, making me really want to puff up, before she shakes her head. “Well…” She bites her lip and looks over at my motorcycle.

My lips twitch. “That’s not my only mode of transportation, Sugar, it’s just the one I prefer. I have a truck for when it’s raining or snowing.”

Her lips form into a large O. “That makes sense.”

I nod my head. “How about I pick you up around eight tomorrow morning. That should give us enough time to shop and drop everything off before you have to get to work.”

“You really don’t have to.” Her voice is meek. “I mean you don’t even work here.”

I shrug. “Maybe not, but Blaze is still one of my brothers. I have no problem helping out for his return party.” I just happen to leave out that my main goal is to spend time with her. She’s skittish as it is. Might as well let her think I’m just doing a good deed.

She gives me a questioning look. “I thought Edge said you guys were having one for him at the club house as well?”

“Yeah, but Dee is in charge of that and we’ve all been told in explicit detail to stay the fuck out of her way unless she specifically tells us to do something. And considering that woman is hell on wheels, we’re all keeping our distance.”

Cadie nods her head emphatically. “She is kind of scary. I’ve only met her a few times and she was yelling at someone each time.”

I snort. “Which is why I am happy to help you. At least you won’t try to shank me for picking out the wrong vegetable or some shit.”

“She wouldn’t stab you.” Her giggles sound like a wind chime on a summers evening.

The fuck man!?! Wind chimes? You need to get your shit together, right the fuck now!

I shake my head sadly. “Darlin’, I’m not fixin’ to find out either way anytime soon.”

She takes a deep breath that makes her cheeks puff out like a chipmunk before she exhales. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” She nods decisively. “That should give me enough time to get everything and drop it off here before I have to be downstairs for work.”

“Sounds good, Sugar. I’ll see you in the mornin’.”

“Good night Jake from State Farm.” She says softly with a shy smile before unlocking the door and walking inside.

“Night, Pigeon.” I call out causing her to roll her eyes and shake her head.

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