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He chuckles. “All right. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thank you, Hank.” He waves, ending the conversation. I quickly grab a couple of packs of bar napkins from the supply closet and take them back to Tabitha.
“I thought you got lost,” she teases.
“No. I was talking to Hank.”
“Well, we’re all set here. Are you cashed out?”
“Not yet. Give me five.” I move toward the register and quickly count my drawer before taking it to Hank, where he’s still sitting behind his desk. “We’re ready to go.”
“Good deal. I’m beat. You ladies grab your things and meet me by the back door.”
“Hank’s meeting us at the back door,” I tell Tabitha.
“My feet are killing me,” she groans.
“Tell me about it. It wasn’t even that busy tonight. We’ve had worse.”
“I know. Maybe it’s because we did more standing, and when we’re moving, it’s not as bad?” she suggests.
“Possibly.” Grabbing my purse from underneath the counter, I turn off the lights and follow her down the hall.
“Have I told you I love you for hiring a cleaning crew permanently?” Tabitha asks our boss.
“You have, but you can keep telling me. I like getting out of here at a decent hour. I was here early anyway to let them in, so the cleaning crew made sense.”
“Good call, boss man.” Tabitha pats him on the back as he pushes open the back door.
“Where do I find me one of those?” Tabitha asks.
I look to where she’s nodding and see Deacon sitting on his tailgate. He’s casually scrolling through his phone as if he’s not sitting in a parking lot at nearly two in the morning waiting for me to get off work. My heart does a somersault in my chest. He’s here for me.
I don’t reply to Tabitha. I manage to lift my hand in the air to wave at the two of them, but I can’t be sure if they see me, and right now, I don’t care. All I want to do is hug him. I need Deacon’s arms around me. Even more so, I need my arms around him.
I don’t know what I did to have this incredible man come into my life, but I’m grateful, and I just pray that he’s always here with me. He jumps off the tailgate, and he must read the expression on my face. He opens his arms wide, and I walk straight into them.
“I don’t know why you’re still here, but I needed this,” I tell him after a few minutes of clinging to him.
“I’m here for you, Ramsey.”
I open my mouth to thank him, but the words that come out of my mouth are different than what I intended. “Stay with me tonight.” Four words that are sure to move our relationship to a new level, and I do not regret them.
Deacon frames my face with his large hands and studies me for what feels like hours but is only seconds. “My place or yours?”
“Yours.” It’s not because I don’t like my place. I do. It’s more that Deacon’s house feels more like home than my tiny one-bedroom apartment. Right now, I need him and the comfort that his place brings me.
“I’ll follow you.” He kisses me quickly and then leads me to my car. Like the gentleman he is, he opens the door for me and waits for me to be settled before closing it.
My gaze follows him as he climbs into his truck and flashes his lights, letting me know he’s ready to go. This isn’t the first time he’s followed me home. However, it is the first time he’s followed me to his. It’s the first time either of us has ever mentioned spending the night with the other. Prior to meeting Deacon, I never imagined asking this of a man. Ever. He makes me feel strong and beautiful, and I need more of that tonight. I needed his hug.
I need him.
As I drive to his place with his headlights in my rearview mirror, I don’t stress about what’s to come. I don’t worry about spending the night at his place. I know I’m safe with Deacon. He said he missed me, and I missed him too—more than I can ever relay with words.
A bolt of excitement lights me up inside, thinking about falling asleep next to him. At least I hope I get to fall asleep next to him. I should be nervous. This will be a first for me. One that Robert never stole. However, I’m not the least bit worried. Even if he doesn’t want to sleep next to me, I know he’ll be just down the hall. That beats being across town from him any day.
sixteen
Deacon
“Are you hungry? Thirsty?” I ask Ramsey as we step into the house from the garage.
“I’m good.” There is a slight tremor in her voice, telling me I need to ease her fears.
