Page 46
“Truce.”
“Truce,” I agreed.
“You think I was too harsh, huh?”
Her question caught me off guard. Did I think she was too harsh—no, but there were other factors to consider.
“I think you had every right to tell him how you felt, especially since it feels like the subject of dating has been broached multiple times before; however, some situational awareness could be used. It’s late; he’s been drinking, and he perceived you were alone. Some guys let their egos get in the way and they end up making bad decisions. I’m not telling you to be softer, but to be… smarter.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your feedback.”
“No problem. Are you ready to go? Because I’m hungry and ready to see you in one of those bikinis you packed.”
She rolled her eyes and smiled.
“You’re such a dog. What are you going to feed me, and I swear to God if you say dick, I’ll punch you in yours?”
“You’ll see.”
***
Vera moaned, and I had to block out a vision of her delicious lips wrapped around me instead of the grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich I made her.
“This,” she said, pointing at the sandwich. “Is the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich I’ve ever eaten. Bravo,” she praised.
“Thank you. DeAndre taught me about grilled PB&J the first time I spent the night at their house. My mom couldn’t get me to stop eating them for a week,” I said. I scooped another sandwich off the grill and dropped it onto her plate before refilling her milk.
“I’m curious. What is your favorite moment with DeAndre and his family?”
“My family,” I corrected her.
“I’m sorry. I misspoke,” she replied bashfully.
I smiled softly and loaded another sandwich onto the grill.
“It’s fine. And honestly, I can’t answer that question. I have so many moments. What’s your family like?”
She took another bite out of her sandwich and rolled her eyes.
“You should do this with Nutella and bananas,” she advised.
“You’ll have to settle for Nutella and banana crepes in the morning.”
I laughed when she did a little dance on the stool. Vera wasn’t as much of an ice queen as people thought. She had a playful streak about her that I found humorous and endearing.
“What’s your family like?” I repeated, trying to get her back on topic.
“Big, loud, and crazy from the youngest to the eldest. The holidays are a circus.”
“I can imagine.”
Vera kept talking about her family while we ate. She was cryptic at times, but I’d take what I could get.
“I have something for you. Wait here.”
I left her in the kitchen and approached my safe in my bedroom closet. I punched in the security code, grabbed a few items, and returned to her.
“What’s this?” she asked, holding up the white keycard.
