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Alex: Oh, believe me. I thought about it but did you know they’re sold out everywhere? It’s like I’m meant to melt away in this heat.
Me: Evi’s with my parents for the next two days. Offer still stands. It's not like we’re strangers anymore, lol. We’ve talked every day. You can have my room, I’ll crash in Evi’s princess bed. It’s a crisp 65 degrees at my place.
Alex: If I didn’t know you, this entire thing would be weird and I’d say you were being pushy. But, I’m not made for the heat, Jake. What’s your address and what time can I come over?
I quickly type out my address and tell Alex she can come by my place whenever. And then I add the lock pin for my front door.
Alex: Jake! You shouldn’t just give your door code to anyone. I can wait until you get home, whenever that is.
I smile at her concern.
Me: I’m not giving it to just anyone, Al - it’s you. You’re the only person besides my parents that have my front door code and it changes often. Wait…you’re not going to rob me blind are you ;)
I hint send and hope that my attempt at humor lands.
She responds almost immediately and says that if she were even the least bit mechanically inclined she absolutely would steal my air conditioner and hook it back up at her parents’ place. Her words. Not mine.
Me: You’re welcome to try. I’d enjoy watching the show from the security cameras.
Alex: Ugh. You would have cameras. Weirdo :P
Me: You can never be too safe these days. Cameras only on the outside though. Don’t worry. I won’t spy on you while you snoop around.
Alex: Were you always this charming?
Me: Two words. Air Conditioning.
Alex: Def going to scope out your underwear drawer after I take a nice shower and cool off.
Me: I don’t wear any.
This banter with her is way too easy. And damn if I’m not enjoying every single moment.
Alex: Well now it’s even warmer in here. What time will you be home? I can at least cook dinner as a thank you for allowing me to crash at your place. That is if you don’t mind me also invading your kitchen.
Me: You don’t have to do that, but I also don’t mind. Take over the whole place if you want. I’ll try to be home by 7. Is that too late? I can text when you’re on the way.
Alex: 7 is fine. I really appreciate this, Jake.
With a smile on my face, I pocket my phone and get back to work. The sooner I finish up here, the sooner I can get home and hang out with Alex.
* * *
Everything I touch after texting with Alex seems to go to shit. Three more hours of work turns into four and then some. Next thing I know, it’s nearly ten o’clock before I’m pulling into my driveway.
A light is on in the living room and the selfish part of me hopes Alex waited up, even though I told her she didn’t have to.
Coming home and knowing someone is waiting for me…someone other than my mother or my totally adorable and spoiled rotten daughter, does something to me. Especially knowing that someone is Alex.
How the hell can I be in this far over my head so fast?
Probably because you never really got over her, Dumbass,my brain, or maybe it’s my dick, warns me.
I blow out a breath, run a hand over my face and take a few minutes to pull myself together before I climb out of my work truck and head to the front door. I key in the code and the door beeps as I open it.
Cool, crisp air hits me and I let out a sigh.Home.
“Oh, good. You’re finally here!” Alex comes bouncing out of my kitchen and hands me a cold beer. “Not sure what your usual after work routine is, and I know you told me I didn’t have to wait up, but I did. When you said you’d be later, I decided to make this really awesome lemony chicken and pita chopped salad for dinner. It’s not too heavy if you still need a meal and I made enough that you can even take some for lunch tomorrow. If you wanted to, I mean,” she rambles on in that really charming way that only Alexandrea does.
