Page 69 of The Wish List
He slid off the stool and rounded the counter. “Too much?”
“I’m not used to it, I suppose. Being cared for. That’s my job with AJ.”
“I can help with that, but you are mine to care for.” He kissed me, holding me tight and commanding my mouth until I was lost to everything but him. “Mine,” he repeated. “Got it?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Good.” He dropped another kiss on my nose, rubbing it affectionately with his. “Now, make me pancakes, woman. I’m depleted.”
I grabbed a bowl, smiling.
I was rather depleted as well.
* * *
The snow finished falling late that night. The next evening, I watched the plows still hard at work with the long task of clearing the roads from the floor-to-ceiling windows of Asher’s condo. The wind had died, but it remained cold. All day, the sun had glinted off the snow, looking pretty but dangerous. It was treacherous with the hidden ice and the below-normal temperatures. They were still asking people to stay home and off the streets.
I had managed to get through to the super in my building, but he told me that the heat was still out. The electricity had come back about an hour before I called.“It’s cold, Rosie,” he said. “If you have a warm place, stay there. I’ll let you know when it comes back. And I’m worried the electrics will shut down again. Stay safe.”
I hung up, knowing I had to move. Joe and his wife did their best, but if the owner of the building wasn’t willing to fix the main issues, what they could do was patchwork. I couldn’t keep living with a small space heater and a prayer.
I sighed as I looked out at the snow-covered city. I feared for those homeless. I was grateful not to be one of them. Yet I worried.
Asher came behind me, his reflection a tall shadow that hovered over me. “You look very serious, Rosie.”
I shook my head. “Just looking at all the snow. Where will they put it all?”
“They have dumping places, plus a couple of the stations use melting machines. Some goes down the sewers, and the rest is piled at corners and on boulevards.”
“I don’t remember ever seeing this much snow before.”
He hummed in agreement, pulling me back to his chest and wrapping his arms around me.
“There is a huge amount.”
“Did you get hold of Suzy?”
“Yes. They’re all fine. Hunkered down and safe. She was relieved to find out you were here with me. She was worried.”
I patted his hand. “I’m relieved too.”
He held me tighter. “Not as much as me. I can’t stand the thought of you cold, scared, and on your own.”
“I’ve done it for a long time.”
“Not anymore.”
I stared out at the white-covered city. But I would have to. I had to go back to the apartment and figure out my life.
“What?” he asked, spinning me around. “What do you mean, go back?”
I sighed, realizing I had muttered my thoughts out loud.
“It’s where we live, Asher. Today was lovely. I’ll stay tomorrow too if that is okay, then we have to go home. I have to figure out what is going on with my job, make sure everything is okay at the apartment, and keep going with life.”
I had been thoroughly spoiled the past couple of days. Napping, eating, watching movies. Reading. Comfortable and safe. It had been wonderful. Amazing. But it was time to get back to reality.
“You can’t.”
