Love Him Free (On the Market #1) - E.M. Lindsey Page 0,91

asshole and I hope you forgive me. Chametz closes at four, but I think I might lock up at noon. I want time with you before sunset. Meet me?

Rocco: I cook u dinner. C U then xoxo

Simon: xoxo

Rocco laid back on the pillow, his heart beating hard enough to almost worry him. James had jumped off the bed, so Rocco turned onto his side and stared at the message thread. Simon apologized. Simon thought he was being an asshole—and maybe freezing Rocco out was kind of a dick move, but Rocco couldn’t blame him for it.

He knew what Eric was capable of. He knew he was good at creating chaos when he wanted to. Simon was still fragile, was still figuring things out. Having done the Market was huge for him, and to have that tainted and destroyed by Eric’s vindictive plans…

Simon wasn’t the one who needed to apologize.

Fatigue consumed him suddenly, and Rocco found himself drifting, his phone clutched to his chest. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he warned himself not to let go, but the relief was too strong, and it stole a couple of hours.

Rocco woke near ten, bolting upright, and he swayed on his feet as he tried to stand. Gripping the wall, he regained his equilibrium, then stumbled for a shower, taking less time than he ever had in his life. He started to worry about his looks—but he realized that nothing about his appearance mattered to Simon.

Maybe at first. Maybe it was the way he looked, the way he moved, the way he fucked. But Simon wanted him, not Sylent, not some public figure.

He put a little product in his hair, finger-combed it backward, then moved to the kitchen to start a cup of coffee. It was less than ten minutes before he was out the door—caffeinated, a granola bar sitting heavy in his gut. He sat in his driveway, then pulled up Charlie’s number on his phone.

Rocco: Can I pay u 4 dog sit pls?

Charlie: You found Simon?

Rocco: Yes. Know I’m not guest ne-more.

Charlie: Bring him by. If I’m not around, Theo can do it. I’m glad you found him.

Rocco: TY

He had just enough time to drop James off and get to the store before Simon was expecting him. Charlie was out front when Rocco pulled up to the lobby bay, and he gathered the dog and his things into his arms.

Charlie offered a sympathetic smile as he took over the leash and hooked James’ bag over his arm, then lifted his hand. ‘You okay?’

Rocco shrugged. “Long night. Simon and I have to talk it out. Thanks for helping.”

Charlie waved him off, so Rocco climbed back in the car and headed into town. The parking lot of their only supermarket was mostly empty, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he grabbed a basket and stepped into the cool air. The summer afternoon was getting hot, and the pressing humidity of an oncoming storm was making him sweat. He swiped a hand over his brow, then moved to the pasta aisle and went for easy.

A box of dried lasagna noodles, a couple jars of sauce from a passable brand. He strolled toward the cheeses and loaded up on the freshest mozzarella he could find, and then a chunk of cut parm. He was in the meat section, perusing the selection of ground beef when a hand touched his arm, and he glanced up to see James raising a brow at him.

“Cooking?” James asked, a word easy enough for Rocco to understand.

“Simon texted. I’m spending tonight with him, so I thought I’d make lasagna.” He started to put the ground beef in his cart, but James caught him by the wrist and shook his head. Rocco frowned, but set it back, and when he looked at James, the man was holding out his phone.

‘Meat+Cheese= Not kosher.’

Rocco’s cheeks burned. He didn’t know nearly enough, and understood only a fraction of what he had looked up online. He didn’t want to fuck this up, but he didn’t know if he’d ever be good enough to get it right.

‘I’m still learning too. Levi isn’t observant, but some things matter. No bacon, no shellfish, no meat mixed with dairy. I think Simon lets a few things slide tho.’

Pursing his lips, Rocco nodded, then signed his thanks. He could do it with vegetables just as well. He had learned a few things standing at his mother’s knee in the kitchen. But more than anything, he wanted