“Yes.” I don’t want her with me in case I run into someone who recognizes me, and I’m not ready yet to tell her I’m in Ashes & Embers, or that I’m the guy who crashed into her.
Her eyes fly to me wildly. “When are you coming back?”
“Relax. I’m just running to the store. I’m going to grab some things I need, and some clothes for you. What size are you? Little?”
“Small. Why can’t I go with you?”
I shake my head and pull a black T-shirt over my head. “No. Listen to me. I’m going to trust you to not touch my shit while I’m gone. If I find out that you touched any of my stuff, I will fucking spank your ass raw. Come with me.” I head out into the living room and she follows me. “I want you to sit on this couch with the cat and not move, all right?”
She scowls at me like a child. “What is your problem? I’m not going to steal your stuff.”
I’m not worried about her stealing anything; I’m worried about her finding something with my name on it, and I don’t have time to go through the entire house to see what’s lying around. I keep this place really clean and don’t really have mail sent here, but I’m sure there must be something with my name on it somewhere.
“I know you’re not. I just don’t like people going through my personal things.”
She flops on the couch, pulls the cat onto her lap and picks up the television remote. “I have zero interest.”
“Do you need anything? Any kind of food you want?”
“No thank you. I barely eat anymore.”
“That’s changing tonight. I’m making us dinner.”
“You can’t make me eat. I’ll use the safe word.”
I roll my eyes. “You can’t use the safe word for dinner. That’s ridiculous, and not even funny.”
She shoots me a dirty look, and I suddenly feel as if I’m living with a teenager.
“I won’t be gone long,” I tell her, picking up my car keys.
“Should I expect any random women to show up while you’re gone?” she shoots back.
I smirk and cross the room to stand over her. “Were you jealous of Evelyn?”
“Who’s Evelyn?”