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“Well, if I say ‘no,’ is that gonna stop you?” she replied sarcastically before she could stop herself.
“Do you want your coffee or not?”
Coffee.Well, that settled it. She didn’t think she had ever felt so many conflicting emotions at once. She thought about her situation one last time.It’s not like there is anything I can do anyhow.“Fine, yes. Come in please.”
A moment later, the door swung open, and there he stood. He disappeared for a moment but almost immediately reappeared with a small tray.Coffee.Again, as he filled the doorframe, she felt the same surge of electricity pulse through her.All the waythrough her. She had conveniently forgotten about the particular effect he seemed to have on her. Definitely not convenient.Or even mildly appropriate.
She brought her mind back to the important thing at the moment, the coffee. Such a mountain of a man carrying the little tray was almost comical.In a TV show, it might be funny, but not now.
“How do I know it isn’t drugged?” she tested him. She kept an eye on his features, trying to read him.
He let out a scoff. “Why would I want to drug you? Or even need to?” He looked genuinely insulted.
“What do you mean, ‘why’?” Now it was her turn to feel insulted. Or was it relieved?This is so confusing. “You’re already holding me captive!”Shut up, Winona.She did need to shut her mouth while she was ahead.
“Look, I told you,” he started, apparently dismissing her concerns. “I just need you to watch my kids. I’m sorry about what happened yesterday. I’m sorry about all of this, but it couldn’t be helped.”
“Couldn’t be helped?”
Winona, breathe.
This time, she caught herself. “What I meant to say is, ‘Thank you for the coffee’,” she added in a much more measured tone as she took the cup off the tray. Still looking up at him over the rim, she took a sip. “Cream and no sugar, just as I like it, how’d you know?”
“I didn’t, we’re just out of sugar,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I see.” She took another sip. “So, where does this leave us? I mean, can I go now?” She wasn’t about to beg.
Just as she spoke, she saw a small figure in a pajama onesie appear in the doorway. I was Jaye.
“Will you make pancakes again?” he asked hopefully.
“Hey buddy, good morning. I thought you’d be down for hours still,” Mr. Wright said, seamlessly gliding into Dad-mode as he scooped him up gently in his massive arms. She felt her muscles relax at the sight of it.
Don’t go all soft, honey. He is still holding you prisoner.
Right.
“I have to pee,” the child continued.
“Oh, right. Come on, buddy.” Then to her, “It’s just a thing, ever since he’s been with me, he’s been a little anxious. He just likes it if I stand outside the door.”
Ever since he’s been with me?
What did that mean?
Not your concern, move on.
“I know,” she said, again forgetting her circumstance for a split second as her attention was pulled to the child.
“Oh, right,” Mr. Wright said. A look of surprise crossed his face for a moment as the gears in his head turned, before he masked it with what she had come to think of as his tough guy persona.
He turned to face her, still holding the child in his arms. “Look, I just need you to hang in here a little longer for me. I’m still paying you. I’ll even raise it if I have to, okay? I’m sorry. I’ll be right back.” With that, he shut the door again.
Click.The door locked behind him.
Fuck. Are you kidding me?“Are you kidding me?” The second time was definitely her outside voice. It was practically a yell.
At least she had coffee. And his words came back to her then. What was that about?Ever since he’s been with me?
