“Why?”
“Crockett hired him to cook dinner for me three times aweek.”
Wow.“Do you need anything from thestore?”
“I’m good, thanks. When can I expectyou?”
“Hold on.” Turning to Crockett, she asked, “How far away arewe?”
“Ten tofifteen.”
“Te—”
“I heard him. See you shortly.” Her mom hung up. Alexandra wanted to scream. Was the universe conspiring against her? Why did all roads continue to lead to this oneman?
“All set?” He rolled to a stop at a yellow light on KingStreet.
“Thanks to you, Kimberly has dinner waiting for hungry mouths.” She gulped. That didn’t even make sense, but it sounded deliciously dirty. Downright naughty. And dripping withpossibility.
In the darkened vehicle their eyes met, the swirling energy dizzying. Her breathing roared in her ears. Or was thathis?
Her body palpitated with desire. She wanted to rake her teeth over his scruffy jawline or press her mouth to his. Desperate to kiss him, she leanedover.
The car behind them laid on the horn. Startled, she flung herself against the seat as Crockett powered through the green light. Mortified, she turned away and stared out the passenger window.Have some self-control.
“I’ll drive you around until the plows dig us out.” His calm voice carried none of the inner turmoil she wrestledwith.
Her eyebrows flew up. Was he trying to kill her with kindness? “I don’t want toinconvenience—”
“Enough, Alex. I’m helping out so Kimberly doesn’t stress over you.” His firm tone clarified hismotive.
I’m a charity case for Mom’ssake.
“Speaking of Kimberly, are you going to filter what you tell her about your living situation?” heasked.
Chewing her options, she clamped down on her lower lip. Never before had she censored conversations with her mom, but he brought up a good point. “I can’t tell her my roommate’s boyfriend is a nut job. She’ll worry or worse, call thepolice.”
“Let’s not poke the Ben bear. And, for the record, she’s yourformerroommate.”
“Istillneed a place tolive.”
“According to Colton, you’re living withme.”
After a breathy sigh, she said, “Well, he’s not the boss ofme.”
“Don’t tell him that. He thinks he’s the boss ofeveryone.”
She laughed.He knows my family so well.“I can’t tell her my car was hit, either. She’d freak out.” She’d reached one solid conclusion.Keep mum withMom.
They found Kimberly in high spirits, her energetic mood uplifting. Were the chemo and radiation killing the cancer? Could her mom be turning acorner?
After Crockett carved the beef, they served themselves at the kitchen island and sat at the small oak dinner table. Alexandra’s knee brushed Crockett’s. Their eyes met. He flashed a smile. Her cheeks warmed. Kimberly peered over her glasses and smiled like she’d won the effin’lottery.
Crockett raised his wine glass. “Kimberly, here’s to yourhealth.”
Sothoughtful.
As they dug in, Kimberly asked a question that made Alexandra’s eyes grow moist. “So, Alexandra, tell me what madethisdayspecial?”
