I shook my head. “You guys are so sweet you’re going to give me a cavity.”
“Do you think Cash would like the movie?” Grace asked.
I heard the sound of a car door shut outside, and Bradley Cooper popped his head up from where he was laying beside Sam on the couch.
“I bet that’s him now.” I stood up and started toward the door. “I’m going to go help him bring everything in, and then we can ask him.”
“Awesome,” Grace chirped. “Because I’m starving.”
I opened the door as he was coming up the walk with an armful of groceries. “My God, what did you get? You do know I have food here, right?”
“Okay, I might have gone a little overboard,” he admitted. “I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t have to do a lot of cooking, so I got some prepared stuff from Whole Foods.”
I took one of the bags from his hands and followed him into the kitchen, Bradley Cooper zooming in behind us.
“Hey, buddy,” Cash greeted, patting him on the head once he’d placed the bag on the counter. He turned his attention back to me. “I also got plenty of snacks and easy to prepare stuff for when you have to be at work.”
“You did not have to do all of this,” I said, as I emptied the contents of the bag on the counter.
“It’s nothing.” He waved me off and disappeared outside, returning with two more bags of groceries that I unloaded while he brought in the remainder of Sam’s things.
When Cash returned to the kitchen, I had extracted two refrigerated pizzas from the last grocery bag. “Aww,” I said. “You get me.” I peered into each of the paper sacks to make sure I hadn’t missed anything because the ingredients for Sam’s cottage pie weren’t accounted for. “Okay, I know I’m not exactly an expert chef, but there don’t seem to be ingredients to make a cottage pie here.”
“Oh.” Cash grimaced. “I’m sorry. I completely forgot.”
“I thought we were cooking dinner together?” I pursed my lips. We’d been planning this dinner for days, so it seemed odd he would just forget.
Cash pinched the bridge of his nose. “I know. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
Before he could answer, Sam meandered into the kitchen. “Thanks for going by my place, Cash.”
“Of course,” Cash said, reaching into his pocket and handing him the key. “Everything you asked for is in here.” He gestured to the large duffle bag on the counter. “I got a few more clothes than you asked for, just in case. And I got the book you asked for.”
“Perfect.” Sam reached for the handle on the duffle, but Cash stopped him.
“It’s heavy, and you’re not supposed to be lifting anything.” Cash looped the handle over his shoulder. “Where should I put it?”
“Grace’s room.” I gestured in the direction of her bedroom with my head as Cash’s head tilted in a question that hadn’t quite formed on his lips. “Since Grace will be staying in my room,” I added.
Cash nodded and left the room with the duffle.
“Ms. Claiborne,” Sam began.
“Ella,” I corrected him with a gentle smile.
“Ella,” he repeated, a bashful grin on his face. “I wanted to thank you for all you’re doing for me, letting me stay with you, helping me. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for your kindness.”
“You’re very welcome,” I said. “We’re happy you’re here. I want you to make yourself at home.”
“Thank you. Truly.” He nodded and turned to leave the kitchen.
“Hey, Sam?” I called as he reached the doorframe.
“Yeah?”
“Just… be good to her,” I said softly. “You being good to my girl is all the thanks I’ll ever need.”
