Swallowing hard, I pushed it away. “Stop with the sexual innuendos. You’re going to make me throw wood in public.”
He laughed deep in his throat, the sound sending a jolt through my body. He said loudly, “Thank you, sir for all your help! You’re an asset to this store.”
Shaking my head, I watched as he walked over to the grill. I did my best to get my work done, but he commanded my attention. He chatted merrily with the server while his fish steak was cooked. He looked jubilant again, as if spending time with me was all he’d ever wanted, especially after being bummed about not being able to go trick-or-treating together. It was strange to me because I’d never had anyone show so much interest. I wasn’t sure how to handle it.
The day mercifully flew by and as I clocked out, I wanted to come clean with Gabriel about lying. Then we could go trick-or-treating together. But I didn’t know him all that well. What if he saw my poverty as a negative? I decided to leave well enough alone.
By the time my shift ended, I was riding high on optimism. I stopped by the lunchmeat bin but didn’t findanything worth picking up. I grabbed a small bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice and a pack of dipping vegetables with ranch then headed home. I made a last-minute decision and got off early so I could stop at the thrift store. I scored a pair of jogging pants and a sweatshirt I planned to cut up and stain. It wasn’t much, but at least I’d look the part for Manny and Jazmine tomorrow.
I found the kids with Maria at the laundromat. Their faces brightened when they spotted me, and I savored the warmth that encompassed me from being welcomed.
“What’s in the bag?” Manny inquired. “Something for us?”
“Don’t be greedy, Miho,” Maria chastised.
“I’m not being greedy, Mama, just nosy.”
I took a seat by one of the folding tables where the kids’ homework was scattered. “Surprise. You’ll find out tomorrow. I did bring some munchies though.”
As we ate the snacks, Manny droned on about signing up for a little league come spring. And Jazmine talked about their school’s play where she’d be able to dress up like a princess.
Maria came to sit down next to me. “We had a discussion about trick-or-treating tomorrow. They promised to be on their best behavior.”
“We promised,” Jazmine echoed. “I’m going as a princess!”
“I can’t wait to see your costumes,” I said, meaning it.
I’d been ecstatic to learn that Gabriel digged kids as much as I did. In my fantasies, I thought about what it might be like to have a family of my own. It wasn’t something that I expected, but the possibility was there. Maybe one day, if everything worked out, he and I would take our kid trick-or-treating.
I spent the next hour in the laundromat helping Maria fold clothes and playing with the kids. This was the closest I’d ever had to a real family, and I cherished every second of it.
CHAPTER TEN
GABRIEL
I sighed the moment I was in my condo. My feet hurt and I was mentally exhausted after a long work week. If ever I hated the drive home, it was when I was achy and tired.
I greeted Pixel and scooped him into my arms. The cat sniffed at my face then butted his head against my chin. As much as I loved my furbaby, it would have been nice to have someone else waiting for me.
“Thanks, buddy.” I set him down and stretched. “Alexa, play Phil Collins.”
As ‘In the Air Tonight’ jammed, I got Pixel’s dinner set before I poured myself a bowl of sprouted grains in almond milk. I was out of bananas, so it was like eating cardboard, but I didn’t feel like cooking nor ordering out. As I chewed, I leaned against the kitchen counter. Despite the music, my condo was forlorn, so much so that I thought the rest of the world had winked out of existence. It was just me, completely alone.
I’d obviously bothered Jake with my clinginess earlier. I hadn’t meant to come off like Velcro, but truth was, I was lonely as fuck and spending time with him chased away the desolation. What was it that Pringles said? Once you pop, you can’t stop? And I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to quit him if he decided he wanted to break up.
Break up?Jesus, I didn’t even know if we were a thing yet.
I finished my cereal and set the bowl in the sink. I shed my clothes and dumped them in the laundry basket, not caring if my Valentino got wrinkled. All the nice things had ceased to make me happy years ago. I considered all the expensive shit I liked to buy was an attempt to fill a void in my life.
I took my time in the shower, enjoying the hot water rolling off my body and the smell of my designer soaps. The heat did wonders to loosen my muscles. When I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around my waist, a modicum of hope surfaced. Alexa was playing ‘Against All Odds’ as I strolled into my bedroom, the air cool against my flush body.
I considered for a brief moment checking out Adam’s Garden, but I couldn’t take my mind away from Jake. Besides, I wouldn’t feel right going behind his back even if I just watched. And it would be much more fun if he went with me, though I wasn’t sure how to explain that part of my life to him. How exactly did one demonstrate the excitement of watching and being watched? Theneed? I didn’t think I could ever put that desire into words. Hell, I’d never mentioned it to the multitude of brief boyfriends I’d had except for Sean, and it had been a deal breaker for him. It always seemed like a thing that was separate from my relationships but that was largely because they ended rather quickly.
I got comfy in bed with my laptop. I browsed some doctor’s forums, then surfed over to Porn Hub. I found little interest there. Shutting my laptop, I proceeded to stare at the window. The illumination of the streetlights rose up, cutting through the black of night. Biting my lip, I glanced at the screen of my phone. It was almost eight and Jake hadn’t texted me yet. I couldn’t help thinking I’d made him uncomfortable earlier. I was unable to help myself and shot over a message to let him know I’d gotten home late. The minutes ticked by and when he didn’t respond, I dialed him.
“Hey!” He answered, out of breath.
“Sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?” I asked, my stomach tumbling, and I wasn’t sure why.
