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And shopping? I’d completely forgotten about that after the whole Gavin incident.
I hadn’t really thought he’d meant it.
“Do I want to go shopping with Elliot?” I nuzzled Joey’s nose. “Do you want to go shopping with him?”
She gurgled and windmilled her arms, which didn’t help me at all.
“You know, when you start talking, we’re going to have the best chats. Hopefully you’ll be able to give me some advice. I can’t really decipher what spit bubbles mean. Was that a yes or no?”
She gave me a gummy smile.
“That looks like a yes, honey. You want to go shopping with Elliot?” I walked over to the fridge, jiggling her bottom. “I don’t know, it might be a little awkward. Is he going to approve of my clothing choices? Or hold my purse while I go in the dressing room? I don’t get it. What do you think?”
The first sip of my iced coffee set off a Pavlovian response, instantly clearing my foggy thoughts away and straightening my spine. Joey giggled when I rattled the ice in front of her.
“Since I’ve never looked a gift horse in the mouth once, I’m not about to start now.” I kissed Joey’s fuzzy head. “That’s your first life lesson, honey. When you’re offered something generous, don’t hem and haw, grab it and figure the rest out later.”
Elliot showed up soon after I’d put Joey down for her nap. He was waiting for me outside her door and motioned for me to follow him to the study down the hall.
I hadn’t ventured into this room since I hadn’t been invited and was being extra careful not to overstep my bounds. But I’d peeked because I really hadn’t been able to help myself.
There was a wall covered in crisp white shelves with rows of books on each of them. It wasn’t full, so I imagined which books I’d want to add if it were mine. Lots of romance. I was addicted to happy endings. And hot sex. Had to have that too. Was it really a happy ending without that?
A fireplace was the focal point of the opposite side of the room, where there was a cozy-looking leather couch and two armchairs. The dark wood floors were made warmer with a thick, cream rug my feet sank into.
Elliot pressed against the small of my back, directing me to the couch. He sat down beside me and dragged his hand through his damp hair. He must have been home for a while and had taken a shower while I’d been busy with Joey.
“Did you go to the gym this morning?” I asked.
“I did.” His hand fell heavily in his lap. “You saw my note?”
“Of course. I’m so used to looking for them, I’ll be alarmed when you stop leaving them.”
“Then I won’t stop.” He sighed. “I was in the wrong yesterday. I’m sorry for being a dick to you.”
“What about to Gavin? You were a dick to him.”
“Fuck him,” he bit out. Then he sighed again, his hands flexing on his knees.
“Sorry, I’m teasing you.” I patted his tense hand. “I appreciate the apology. I was sure you were going to fire me at any moment.”
His head whipped in my direction, his brow deeply furrowed. “I’m not going to fire you, Catherine.”
“Ever?”
“Well, there are limits. Don’t burn down my buildings or shoot someone in front of me.”
I couldn’t quite feel relief because words and promises meant a lot less to me than they had before. So many had been taken back or broken. Elliot probably meant what he said now, but things could easily change. I had to tread lightly.
“Wow, I’m not sure if it’s safe to give me so much leeway. I guess it’s a good thing I like my job and really don’t like firearms or open flames.”
His frown deepened. “You like your job? You’d be the first.”
“It took me a while to get used to working for you, but yeah, I like it.”
His jaw rippled, but his brow softened as he looked me over. “I interrupted something yesterday.”
I waved him off. “It isn’t a big deal. I was trying to figure out a way to turn him down, so your timing was pretty impeccable. Your delivery could have been less brutal, though.”
