It makes me think of Kash. I saw him at Christmas, but I avoided him like the coward that I am. He was helping Emma, and I snuck out. I’ve been ignoring his messages for the last couple of days. I don’t know what to say to him. I almost thought we could be something, but then everything happened with Cora, and the holidays kept us busy here. I haven’t really had time to think, let alone message people back.
After opening my apartment door, I toss my keys on the table. I’m already sore from the long day yesterday, but I’ve been putting this off for months, and knowing my luck, it’ll flood my apartment before too long.
I check the box to make sure I have all the pieces and tools before I start tearing things apart. My dad offered to come do this for me, but after everything that’s happened, and the time he took off work, I don’t want to bother him.
Pulling everything out from under the cabinets, I notice the woodunderneath is already damp.Shit.I toss a towel down, then lie on my back, looking for the video that explains how to change fittings and pipes. As soon as I hit play, my phone goes off withFuture Husbandflashing across the screen. I nearly drop my phone, but in the process, my finger hits the key to answer.
“Hi, Sweetheart,” his deep voice murmurs.
Bumping my head off the floor, I inwardly groan. He sounds so sweet, but I’m not falling for his little nicknames. “What’s up, Kash?”
“What are you doing? I haven’t heard from you.”
“I’m busy.”
“With what?”
“Being a man,” I mutter as I glance at the pipe layout above me. The choking sound he makes causes me to laugh.
“It’s okay. I’ll still love you. But, um... can I ask how you’re being a man? Just for clarification?”
“I’m fixing a pipe in my kitchen,” I offer proudly.
“Is that so?”
“Yep.”
“And that makes you a man?”
Fighting at the smile trying to cross my face, I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Yep. I can fix it all by myself. Got the right part and all.”
“Interesting. Let me see.”
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I stare at it in confusion. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Sure it is. Open your door.”
Freezing, I glance around my kitchen from my current location. "You're not standing outside of it, are you?”
He pauses for a moment, then: “Why don’t you come see.”
Sliding out from under the sink, I quickly end the call. Looking at my reflection in the wall mirror, I check my appearance. It shouldn’t matter, but it does.
Opening my door, I internally swoon when I see Kash standing on the other side. His hair is pulled back, tattoos creeping up his neckand scalp, and he’s wearing dark jeans and a light blue hoodie that makes his eyes pop. The worst part? The stupidly handsome smile on his face.
“Hi, Sunshine. I can lay pipe for you.”
I attempt to glare at him, but it just doesn’t work. Laughing instead, I level him with a look. “Really? That’s the best you could come up with?”
Stepping past me into my apartment, he takes in the box and tools on the floor. He turns back to me and shrugs his broad shoulders. “Oh, I’ve got better material than that, but I knew it’d make you smile. Worth it.”
“Do you really know anything about plumbing?”
“Of course I do.” He scoffs in offense. “My dad had me help him a time or two around the house. I know my way around a wrench. Not just a pretty face I’ll have you know.” He winks.
“Mhmm. Sure. So, you can fix that with no problem?” I point toward the faucet that is still leaking, and the soaked cabinet under the sink.
“I sure can. Why don’t you let me work on this and you head downstairs?”
