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“Couple hundred bucks. Declan will take care of you.” I climb out of the car, hand her the keys, and pull my phone out of my pocket.
Me:Send the truck.
I follow it with a message telling him the general area where we’re located.
Declan:Got it. Gus is on his way.
“Declan is sending one of his guys with the tow truck. Let’s grab whatever you need out of your car and put it in my truck. Where were you headed?”
“The grocery store. I have an anniversary session later tonight, so I needed to knock a few items that need to get done off my list.”
“That’s where I was headed as well. I can take you, then drop you off at your place.”
“Thanks. I need to figure out how I’m going to get to this shoot tonight and to work the next couple of days.”
“As long as he can get the parts, I’d guess Dec will have you all fixed up tomorrow. You can take my truck tonight. Just drop me off at my place after we get groceries.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I offered. I’m off the next two days, and other than grabbing groceries and mowing the yard, I have no plans.” Even if I did have plans, I would have offered my truck.
“Are you sure? It will just be tonight. I’ll see if I can borrow Ramsey’s car tomorrow, and she can ride to work with Deacon.”
“I’m sure. And don’t bother her. You won’t need it all day. Just keep my truck until Declan tells you that yours is ready. Swing by and pick me up, so we can pick yours up. It will be less than twenty-four hours if I know my brother. I’m telling you it’s fine.”
Her eyes soften and, if I’m not mistaken, mist with tears. “Thank you, Brooks. You’re saving me.”
I pretend to ignore the way I want to pound on my chest when she tells me that. I’m also going to pretend that I haven’t thought about her body pressed to mine last weekend at the engagement party. I. Will. Not. Think. About. That.
I also won’t think about how I wanted to strangle my little brother because he was dancing with her. I don’t understand; therefore, I’m keeping that shit locked tight in the box labeleddon’t go therein my mind.
“Let’s grab whatever you need. Don’t leave anything valuable just in case. Declan has cameras all around his shop, but better safe than sorry.”
“Just me and my purse. I haven’t stopped at the studio to load up any of my equipment. Yet.”
“We can do that on the way back from the store as well so that I can help you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. I want to. Grab your things. We can wait in my truck until the tow gets here.” I want to stand and wait for her but think better of it. Instead, I head back to my truck and climb inside, making sure the doors are unlocked for her. A couple of minutes later, she’s pulling open the door and climbing inside. She settles in and smiles over at me, and something weird happens in my chest. It grows tight.
“Thank you, Brooks.”
“You’re welcome. Besides, I strongly dislike grocery shopping. Maybe going with someone else will make it less dreadful.”
“Do you like to cook?” she asks.
“I don’t hate it,” I reply, and she chuckles.
“I enjoy it, but I don’t do it often with just me. Usually, I make something like chicken and rice or spaghetti and eat it for a few days. It’s hard to cook for just one.”
“I do a lot of grilling in the summertime. I meal prep year-round, which makes packing lunch for work a hell of a lot easier. I make big portions and divide them up into multiple containers that last me for the week. Usually, that’s one of my days off, meal prepping.”
“Look at you making me feel like an underachiever,” she teases.
“I mean, I’m pretty damn good at meal prep. I’ve got that shit down to a science.”
“Do you get tired of eating the same thing?”
