I hate staring at them. The blouse was pretty, but not particularly new. I really like those pants, though.” She sighed heavily. “I can’t stand looking at the blood on them. It makes me feel woozy again. Would it seem terribly foolish to throw them away?”
Without replying, he gently walked past her and saw the offending garments on the floor of the bathroom. He scooped up the blouse and pants and wadded them in his arms. Walking back over, he said, “I don’t think it’s foolish at all. Let’s go downstairs and throw these out.”
They walked downstairs together, and she exclaimed, “Ocee, I forgot to feed you!”
He grabbed a garbage bag from the pantry and shoved the bloody clothes inside. “I wasn’t sure what he normally ate, but I gave him some dry food.” He inclined his head toward the counter. “And I made you a cup of tea.”
Her mouth dropped open as her gaze moved from the steaming cup of tea back to his face. “Tea? You made tea for me? But… but how?”
“Boil water. Drop in the teabag.” He lifted a brow as his lips quirked.
“Smartass.” She reached over to wrap her hands around the still-steaming cup.
“The only thing I wasn’t sure about was what you put in it. My sister likes sweetener. My mom only uses a teaspoon of sugar. My grandmother used to add honey. And my other grandmother would add a bit of milk.”
She burst out laughing. “Wow, you really do know what you’re doing.” She grabbed the sugar bowl and dumped two teaspoons of sugar into the tea and stirred. Opening her refrigerator, she pulled out a bowl with lemon slices and squeezed one into the cup. “I like both sugar and lemon.”
“I remember. You like sweet and tart.”
She sucked in a quick breath, and he immediately wished he hadn’t reminded her of the time before they shared a kiss—the time before he was an ass. He had wanted to have time to prove to her that he was a better man. He’d even considered charming her. But the man his parents had raised him to be only allowed for honesty. Throwing up his hands, he rushed, “Please, Sandy… I’m really sorry. I… fuck… I have no excuse. I’m just so sorry.”
14
Sandy continued to stare at Rory, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what he was apologizing for. When she’d first blinked her eyes open after passing out in the shop, she’d had no idea where she was or what had happened but seeing his handsome face had somehow righted her lopsided world, giving her something to hold on to. Uncertain if she was dreaming, she was shocked to discover that he truly was leaning over her, calling her name.
Her confusion continued when he insisted on driving her home, but one look at the bloody mess on the floor near Joan as the rescue workers were rolling her out to the ambulance sent woozy shockwaves through her again.
She’d expected him to drop her off at the door, not ensure her safety and stay while she cleaned up. Incredulity speared through her at the knowledge that he’d fed her cat and made her a cup of tea.
But now, she had no idea what was causing his handsome face to contort with such a grimace. He appeared to be in distress, and she reached out to place her hand on his arm then hesitated, her hand dropping back to her side. “Rory… I don’t understand. What are you apologizing for?”
“I was an ass.”
Not expecting those words, she was unable to keep the bark of laughter from erupting. Her emotions from earlier were still churning, as was her stomach. Her body was still dealing with the aftereffects of the adrenaline rush and subsequent fainting. The absurdity of the situation was overwhelming, and laughter continued to pour forth. Tears streamed down her face as she doubled over, one hand holding onto the counter and the other one clutching her stomach. “I’m sorry… I can’t help it.”
Barely able to catch her breath, she looked up and watched Rory’s expression morph from remorse to surprise to laughter. For a long moment, the two of them stood in her kitchen allowing the cleansing relief of shared mirth to flow over them.
As she finally gained control of herself, she shook her head. “I know what I was laughing about, but what had you going?”
“You. When you smile you can light up a room, but damn, Sandy, when you laugh