Page 46 of Xactly What She Needs

“Sure.”

“Now, much as I know you love to laze about, we need to get to work. We’ve got a big order coming in.”

I slap his chest for the principle of him calling me lazy, but I appreciate that he’s giving me a distraction to focus on. The moment I stand up, I fill myself with resolve. I have work to do. I’m practically running this place. And with the kind of business they get, even now that I’vecreatedorder, there’s always something to be doing.

Dani joins me after a while, carrying two giant cups of coffee, and throws herself down on the sofa. She puts her feet up on the coffee table and starts to scroll through her phone. The company is nice, even if it’s not very interactive. With all of her attention on the phone, she’s been reducedto replyingonly in grunts and hums.

“What are your plans for the weekend?”

“Mm Hm.”

“Did you sleep well last night?”

grunt

Nice to know I’m worth less than a fraction of her already limited attention span. She really knows how to let on that she cares. Whatever. I let her lounge. She’s not got work today, so she can use her time however she wishes.

The day moves on, and Dani starts to demand lunch when 1 pm comes around.

“We usually wait—”

“My hunger will not wait. You know this. I need something to eat, or I’m going to shrivel up and die, and then what will you tell mom and dad? That you left me in a corner todie?”Her hangry, over-dramatic ass pulls out all the stops.

“Must you be so damn dramatic?”

“I must. I really must. Now, what’s goodto eataround here?” Shequestions while licking her lips like a starved dog. You would think that she hasn’t eaten in days instead of a mere three hours.

I roll my eyes, grab my handbag, and then sit back down, stunned by my own stupidity. I can’t go back outside. Not today. He’s too close by to risk it. If he sees me, he’ll know.

“Actually, maybe we should just order in? There’s a good sandwich place theguys like to buy from. Be useful and go take their orders and call them up.”

Dani puts on a show of huffing and puffing, but she does as she’s told, and when she returns to the sofa, she’s on the phone with the shop, telling them where to deliver.

“You can’t hide from him forever, you know.” Her voice is low and solemn.

I can see how it pains her to say that, but she’s steeling herself to go on.

“You’ve got people here who can help. I might not know them very well, but I see the way Xander looks at you. Jax and the rest of them, they’re protective of you. Don’t let yourself be trapped in a box of fear. You remember what dad said?”

She’s referring to the months after the incident that finally drove me away.

“Every day I spendnot living my life is another day he iswinning. I remember.”

“Good. Because Dad was right. Today you’re allowed to be cautious, but don’t make a habit of it.”

“You’re so wise sometimes,” I laugh, trying to off-set the disparity of positions. Usually it’s me sharing insights.

“I have been known to have bursts of wisdom,” she shrugs with a grin.

“Well. Thanks. And yeah. I’ll remember that. Today, though, let’s just stay inside.”

Dani lets it rest and leaves, promising to return with the food when it arrives, though she cites that it might be a forty minute wait.

“As if I’ll even live that long.” She whines pathetically.

By general rule, I don’t go onto the main shop floor, but after working one too many cricks out of my neck, I decide it’s time to go for a walk. And since I’ve imposed a boundary on myself, I decide to go to the break room. But I pause on the threshold when I hear my name.

“—threaten me, Dani. I’m not about to let her come to harm.”

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