Chapter 33
"I can take Evie for the afternoon.”
Ben’s voice, it was rich and deep down the line and I found myself wanting to prolong the call, just to hear more of it. But what he said, that was just as welcome.
“If you’re sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure. Lily, it kills me every time I walk out the door and away from my daughter.”
Ouch.
“I didn’t mean it like that, as a criticism. Just know you’re not putting me out. Now, what do you usually have her do in the afternoon? Chores? Homework?”
“Get her something to eat or she’ll turn into a raging bitch.” He laughed at that. “Seriously, you haven’t seen hangry until you’ve seen Evie without a snack. She’ll try and persuade you to feed her junk—”
“But she should be having some protein, some slow-release carbs and something with fibre in it.”
“Right. She’ll have homework, even though she’ll say she doesn’t. You’ll need to sit on her to get it done, so I’m just going to apologise right now for that,” I said.
“Don’t. I’m not sure how much use I’ll be with Maths, but I used to be pretty good in English and History classes.”
“Did you want the keys to the house or I could meet you at home? I can open it up and—”
“I’ve got my own hotel room here,” he said. “Evie won’t see Logan or the others. We’ll grab a few meat and salad rolls and then sit down and get her homework done. When do you want her back?”
The bell jingled and Jasper walked in carrying yet more coffee and a bag of food.
“I need to go around to Sophie and Taylor’s tonight, so I’ll come by and pick her up at five?”
“The BBQ? No need. I’ll bring her straight there.”
Of course, Sophie had said it would be an opportunity for the pack to meet Carmen.
“OK, I’ll meet you there.”
Right as I ended the call, Jasper placed the bag of food on the counter, dragging it out of reach when I went to take it.
“Let's sit down and have something to eat,” he said.
“I can’t.” My fingers rubbed again at my forehead, as if that would smooth away the lines that were already beginning to form. “I’ve got more books to get out on the shelves and there’s some paperwork that’s been sitting there for ages.”
“And I’ll help you with everything I’m able to.”
That firm, quiet statement stopped me in my tracks. I took a deep breath and then glanced up at him, meeting his eyes now.
“Daddy’s here,” he said, winking at me, “and he needs you to be a very good girl and eat all of your food and drink all of your water, because you have to be dehydrated with the amount of coffee you’ve been drinking.”
“Jasper…”
“Do this for me, please.”
But there was no plea there, just a thin thread of command, one that allowed me to step away from the till and all of my work and over to a table with a clear view of the front door. As I sat down, Jasper set the food and drinks out before me, unwrapping my roll, so I got a great big whiff of fresh bread, sharp mustard, earthy beef and crisp vegetables.
“Oh god… that smells good.”
“I know what you need,” he said in that same mesmeric voice, reaching over and uncapping my drink before putting it in my hand. “Drink up. You need a lot more water before I’m satisfied.”
That broke the spell somewhat, my eyes narrowing as I stared at him, but he just smiled, grabbing his sandwich and taking a big bite before chewing slowly. I found myself watching his mouth move, his jaw flexing before I remembered my own food. I grabbed it hurriedly, tastes exploding on my tongue as soon as I did. I let out a helpless little moan, my stomach grumbling now it’d actually been presented with food, making clear it was having all of this sandwich, no matter what I thought about it. But when I took another bite, I paused, feeling his eyes on me. Jasper snorted, tried to smile, but his silver eyes betrayed him.