I nudge the door open and carry her to the bedroom. Thank fuck Abel worked a miracle here. His wife—who is pretty but doesn’t really hold a candle to Dove—came over in the afternoon with a shop full of furniture. The place actually looks great. Smells good, too. She brought something called infusers and stuck them all over. There’s one in the bedroom called Pine Breeze, and it smells sort of like the woods. I like it. I lay Dove down on the navy comforter and slip her shoes off. Her pants look like they might be tight, so I undo the snap. I don’t trust myself to touch the zipper. It’s too close to a part of her that I’d like to get really personal with.
I throw a blanket over her and go lock up. After using the bathroom, I grab a chair and drag it over to the bed. For the second night in a row, I’ll be watching over her, but it doesn’t feel like a chore. Instead, I’ve never felt more content. If all I’m ever allowed to do is this, it might be the best thing I’ve accomplished. Everyone has a purpose in this world. Looking after Dove might be mine.TenDoveI burst into laughter, not sure what to say. “Jay, did you just snatch me from downstairs and carry me up to your bedroom and then proceed to undo my pants and take my shoes off?” I know I really shouldn't be laughing, but after last night the fear of Jay trying to take advantage of me is gone.
I’d all but passed out on top of him and he’d been nothing but a perfect gentleman. So unlike every other man in my life. I’m starting to wonder if I’ve found one of the rare good guys and if I am really going to push him aside and run because of my own crazy fears?
What’s the point of living if you don’t try and go for some of the things you want? Life has to be about more than making ends meet. There have to be moments of joy and laughter in between or really what is the point? I want to trust him. I want him to be different, but I’m still leery.
Especially after what happened with Thomas. I shake that thought from my head. Jay is nothing like that jerkface Thomas. He has been nothing but nice to me, and even my sister is pushing for me to pursue this.
That alone should tell me something. Avery is not usually the type to get behind a photographer who is following his dreams and lives in a crappy apartment. She usually champions a man that is financially stable and one that has a bank account ending with a ton of zeroes. The fact that she’s encouraging me to be with Jay is another sign that I shouldn’t ignore.
Jay doesn’t seem as though he’s the type that would use me. He is just generally a good person who is worried about the woman who now lives next door to him. I think it would almost make me the stuck-up jerk if I didn't give him a chance. It would be unfair of me to hold him accountable for the indiscretions of other men in my past.
“I’m sorry. You looked tired. I heard you leave so early in the morning and with the way that boss of yours was acting and with how busy you were I was afraid you had worked straight through lunch or something. Now it’s after ten. Have you had anything to eat today?”
“A chocolate bar.”
The normal happy face he gives me drops away quickly. I know his anger is not directed at me. Jay looks like a man who knows what it's like to earn every dollar you make, so he should get it.
“I’ll get you something to drink and have some food sent up. Burgers okay? I know seafood is off the table.”
“How did you know that?” My heart does a flutter.
“You mentioned it in passing last night when we ate.” Oh, wow. He really is paying attention.
“And you remembered?”
“Do I remember a food that could harm or kill you? I promise it’s etched in my brain for life.” Yeah, I think Jay is so going to be getting that date. If he doesn't leave the room in a few minutes, he might get a little more than that. “Don’t move.” He hands me a remote before disappearing and returning a moment later with my drink, placing it on the side table next to me.
“I thought you said your place was a mess.” The bedroom is looking rather nice and this bed is going to be a fight to get up out of when it’s time to leave. I could tell a few things still need to be done, but it is already looking better than my place.