Page 28 of Marvelous

I winked, then tagged a bottle of water, and sat down beside her.

“You didn’t have to make me a plate, you know,” I told her as I tagged my fork and started eating.

She scrunched up her nose, “You’ve gone out of your way tonight to help me. It’s the least I can do.”

At my nod, we ate in silence, then I asked, “Do you need any help moving your stuff in tomorrow?”

She smiled, “I might need help with one thing. But everything else is small. I’ve got an order of stuff coming in two days.”

At my nod, we finished dinner.

And I wasn’t going to complain about the fact that we both cleaned up.

But I was complaining now.

Never had I met a woman who was so stubborn about manners.

“No, I’ll take the couch.” She said.

I shook my head, “No. This is another one of those things I will not budge on. The bedroom is the farthest room in the house. The couch is the closest entry point. I’ll be damned if I’m in there and something happens, and they hurt you before they hurt me.”

She eyed me warily, then she took in my place and hesitantly asked, “Are you in the military?”

I froze.

Then I asked, “Why do you ask that?”

She shrugged, “Your mannerisms. The almost empty place. And you said that you had been working and been away for a while. One plus one equals two.”

“Pleading the fifth,” I said.

Then I jerked my chin to the bedroom, “Go ahead, get some sleep.”

She stepped toward the hallway, then she shook her head, turned, and headed toward me.

Then I watched as she leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss on my cheek, “Thank you, Alec. Seriously.”

I winked at her.

Then yeah, I watched that fine ass of hers as she walked down the hall and to my bedroom.

I lay down on the couch and tagged my phone.

Hit Garrick’s name and typed out a text.

Me – Old Ford Taurus out on 27. Can you get it first thing in the morning? Fix it. Bill me?

Garrick – You’re back.

Me – Yeah. Drove into town about two hours ago.

Garrick – Would ask about the car, but I won’t.

Me – Appreciate it.

Then I locked my screen and closed my eyes.

The thing about being in the military, you learned to sleep anywhere, and like a light I was out.