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“I am. Do you make sandwiches?”
“No. I’m fairly rubbish at cooking all the way around.” Though that didn’t stop me from binging British baking shows when I couldn’t sleep. “Baking is different and I save that for special occasions. Usually stress-related.”
“Well, making a sandwich isn’t really cooking.”
“Says you.”
“There’s a deli a half mile away from Thorny Paw. And I’ll likely be there late because I actually had the whole weekend off after the surgery, plus it’s a holiday week…”
Was I imagining his wheedling tone? Probably not, knowing him.
And I did feel like I knew him already. Trial by fire via classified ad and hours of sex, I supposed.
“Ugh, holiday week. Is the trip still happening on Thanksgiving?”
“Yes. If you’ll come with me.”
“Were you plying me with sex to ensure my cooperation?”
“If I say yes, was I successful?”
I shook my head at him and forced myself to ease back. I couldn’t cleave to him like ivy on a brick wall. I wasn’t that woman. I was strong and independent even if I did make bad decisions because I really enjoyed sex and didn’t get nearly enough.
“I’m not the right woman for the job. I don’t understand family dynamics.”
“No one understands family dynamics like mine. I don’t. And stop blaming yourself for your father being a selfish dick. That has nothing to do with you, even if it affects you, over and over.”
I shut my eyes and let the truth of his words soak into me. I knew that intellectually but somehow every time he pulled his crap, it was like the first time all over again.
“Thanks,” I said quietly.
“I don’t want to push you into something you don’t want to do.” Clint huffed out a breath. “Well, I do, because I want you to make a difficult day easier for me. But that isn’t fair, so I won’t do it.”
“You need a date though?”
“More so my mom doesn’t set me up with someone who so isn’t my type. Just gets messy.”
I curled my arms around my pillow and bit my lower lip.
“Do you want me to ask someone else?”
I frowned up at him and noticed his dimples were on the verge of making a rare appearance. “No. But I only want you for your cat.”
“Obviously. And you’re probably going to get him, because I can’t imagine what he did to my place in my absence last night. I didn’t leave him enough food.”
“I can go over to your place today, make sure he’s okay.”
“You can?” He squeezed my hand. “You’re a lifesaver.”
I really hoped I could handle it. That remained to be seen.
“Well, I’m self-employed. Someone needs a nooner, but otherwise…”
“I was only expecting a sandwich, but if that’s on the table, I’ll take it.”
His eager expression made me laugh, thoroughly drying the last of my tears. “I meant in the edit I have to finish up.” I shoved aside my pillow and tugged him to his feet. “But how long can the edit take, right? I’ll find time to check on your cat.”
I’d try my best in any case. Hopefully I wouldn’t end up parked on the side of the road breathing into a paper bag.
