“Yeah.”
“Where’s Des?” I gulped the water.
“She went to dinner with her friends. I told her I’d stay with you until you woke up … or she got home. Whichever happened first.”
I groaned. “I’m so embarrassed. I can’t believe I acted like a lunatic in public.”
“You remember?”
My mind turned over the hazy details. There were some blind spots in my memory, but not enough to make me feel better about my behavior. “What did she tell you?”
He hunched a shoulder. “Everything from Sam’s Club toMcDonald’s to Marshalls. If it makes you feel better, she was very amused.”
“It doesn’t.” I blew out a slow breath. “I don’t know why I didn’t listen to you.”
“How much did you eat?”
“One. Maybe two. I’ll tell you one thing, though … Never afuckingain.”
Spence sat down next to me, bumped my shoulder with his. “I’m sorry. At least you were able to cross something off of your list.”
I rolled my eyes.That shit hurts. Massaging my temple, I said, “Forget that damn list.”
“Sure about that?”
I shot him a sidelong glance. “Maybe. Why?”
He walked to the door. “’Cause I got you something.”
“What did you get me?” When he didn’t answer, I shuffled over to the window. Frowning, I peered through the blinds and gasped. “You got me a dumpster?”
His mouth curved into a sexy half-smile, half-smirk. “For the purge.”
I stared at him in disbelief, holding my hands to my mouth as the reality of his gesture sunk in. He’d bought me something so practical, so thoughtful, so on-time. That dumpster was better than any bouquet of flowers, every high-priced dinner at a swanky restaurant, and all the gifts I’d ever received. Because it meant he’d listened to me, he’d considered my feelings. And I wanted to cry. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to melt into his arms. But I wouldn’t.
“Thank you,” I whispered, fighting the fresh tears that welled up in my eyes.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“No,” I shook my head, “I do.”
We stared at each other for a moment, while I struggled to hold it together.
“I can’t believe you did this for me. Thank you so much.”
He cupped my face in his massive hand, brushing my jawline with his thumb. “Anything you need. Told you I got you.”
I bit down on my bottom lip. “I appreciate you. Now I just have to figure out what to move first.” A wave a dizziness swept over me, and I leaned against the wall. “And if I can even stand up straight much longer. I’m definitely still high.”
Spence cracked up. “Sit yo’ ass down.”
He walked me over to the couch and helped me get situated.
Once I was seated, glass of water full, blanket over my legs, he said, “You got me for a few hours. Just tell me where to start.”
My heart pounded in my ears as I peered up at him. In an instant, I was transported back to that playground. Riding the Merry-Go-Round as he watched me eat that sandwich. It was a simple gesture, but it was also a lifeline. One that had never been severed despite our choices.
“Why are you here?” I whispered. “Why are you like this?”
