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As much as I pretend the punctuality annoys me, I kind of like it about him.Everythingabout him. The way he smiles and laughs, the way he doesn’t like his food to touch, the way he commands a room, the way he snores yet refuses to admit it.
We’re opposites when it comes to some things, like punctuality. I’ve been working in the barn with Franco all week, and let me just say, if I wasn’t sleeping with the boss, I’d be fired. Franco looks like he’s going to lose his mind every day when he comes to pick me up, and I’m not ready.
“I’m not the boss today,” he says, brushing his knuckles over my cheek.
I lower my eyes to his tie and realize what he means. Normally, he dresses a smidge more weather appropriate and relaxed, but he dawns the full suit when he goes into the city.
“You have a meeting with Settimo?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Lorenzo. He wants to talk to me about something. Trust me, if you think I’m a stickler for punctuality, you should see him when someone is late.”
I sigh. “I get it.”
He pecks me on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“Mmhmm.”
He rolls his eyes and smiles before lifting himself off the bed.
I pull myself up to sit and tuck my messy hair behind my ears. “Will you be gone long?”
Blade picks up his phone off the nightstand and puts it into his pocket. “Uhh, I’m not sure. I’ll call you on Franco’s phone if I’ll be home late.” He fastens his watch around his wrist then turns to me. “Which, speaking of, I need to get you a new phone.”
“You do kind of owe me one, huh?”
Blade apparently broke my phone and tossed it in the garbage a day or two after he had me kidnapped. What an asshole.
“Yeah, sorry again about that.”
I laugh. “Nah, don’t worry about it.” I wave my hand. “I needed an upgrade anyway, and I like to pay for my own things. I’ll pick one up next time I go to the city. Besides, you’re the only person I talk to. I’m pretty sure Ellison has already left the state.”
“You sure? I’m pretty new to this, but I feel like the guy is supposed to pay for these things.”
“I mean, if you want to give me a raise, by all means.” I wink and smile but then let it fade. “But seriously, I like my independence. I’m saving up the money you’re paying me, and then I’m buying a car. As much as I like Franco, I’d rather get back to my old routine rather than work with him … if that’s okay?”
Blade rubs the back of his neck. “Actually yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that anyway. I’m a little worried Lorenzo wants to see me because I’ve been letting you work on the farm. I’m paying you out of my pocket, but still.”
My stomach drops, and I take a moment to ready myself to speak so my words will come out evenly. “Does this mean I can’t stay here with you?”
It’s an impossibly long few seconds before Blade answers, but I can tell by the look on his face that he isn’t confident I’ll be able to. It’s been so good between us. We haven’t talked labels or anything like that, but when we’re here together, we’re in a bubble. We get along, we kiss, we fuck, we talk. I don’t want the bubble to pop.
“I don’t know,” he says at last.
My chest constricts, but I shrug as if it’s no big deal. I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.
“It had to end eventually, right? I mean, I’m not even in danger anymore.” I take a breath and try hard not to let my voice crack. “It’s been nice getting to know you… I hope you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve—”
“Are you saying goodbye to me right now?” Blade squints at me.
I open my mouth, then close it, thinking about what I want to say. “Didn’t you just say Lorenzo might not like us, you know…?”
Being together. I almost say the words, but I’m terrified we aren’t on the same page.
Blade rears back then gives his head a shake. “Emily, who gives a shit what Lorenzo thinks? He has a say in what happens on the farm, but it’s none of his business who I choose to be with.”
Be with.
My chest constricts more, but for a different reason.
