Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
I've been in her space multiple times now, but knowing I'll be staying here rather than just making a quick check to ensure she's safe makes standing in her tiny living room feel completely different.
I'm awkward to the point of not knowing what to do with my hands.
Should I take a seat?
Offer to help even though my cooking skills stop at scrambled eggs and toast?
Should I insist on spending my time standing outside her door rather than taking up space?
I pull in a deep breath and blow it out slowly.
I'll follow her lead, and until she tells me to do something, I'll spend my time standing and watching her, looking for any hint that she may be uncomfortable. It's the very last thing I want her to feel.
"Well," she says as she opens the fridge. "I forgot it was my grocery shopping day."
She looks back at me, her cute little nose scrunching.
"I don't have anything to fix for us."
"We can get something delivered," I offer, pulling out my phone.
"I can't ask you to do that," she says, straightening and closing the refrigerator.
"We both have to eat," I assure her. "What would you like?"
She shrugs. "I haven't paid much attention to the restaurants around town. I don't do delivery."
I imagine she doesn't want strangers coming to her house, even though they serve a purpose. She's the type to keep completely to herself, and I know it's not only to avoid interactions with others but also because she believes it will trigger something that would make it easier for Graham to find her.
"We could run to the store," she offers, clearly still uneasy about having a meal delivered.
"We're safer if we stay here. There are no expectations, Juliet. It's just food."
I watch as she struggles with the idea, chewing the inside of her cheek.
"I can see if someone from Cerberus can shop a list for us," I offer.
She shakes her head. "They've already done so much for me. That feels... I don't know. Delivery is fine."
"Do you want something specific?" I ask, pulling up the food delivery app on my phone. "Burgers, pizza, Italian, Asian, Mexican?"
"Whatever you want to eat will be fine," she says.
I know a lot of people would grow frustrated with the indecision, but it's not something I'm going to focus on right now. She doesn't have a great history with people doing things for her without expecting anything in return, and since it can't be fixed tonight, I opt to just let it go for now.
"I think burgers and fries would be amazing," I offer.
"That does sound good," she says, a small smile of gratitude on her beautiful face.
"Any allergies? Preferences?"
Her eyes drop as if asking for what she wants may cause problems, but I watch her pull in a breath before raising her eyes to mine.
"I love bacon," she says. "And extra lettuce."
"You got it," I say, finding the menu items listed in the app.
"Can I ask one more favor?"
"Anything."
"Would it be a huge hardship to wait outside while I shower? It's just that—"
I hold my hand up, halting her words.
"You don't have to explain. Lock the door behind me," I say and walk toward the front door. "I have to let the guys outside know what's going on. Enjoy your shower."
"Thank you," she says.
I wait to hear the deadbolt click into place before walking to the parking lot.
Holler rolls down the window in his SUV as I approach.
"She's asking me to stay inside with her," I explain.
I wait for a snide comment, but there's not even a glint of humor in his eyes.
"That's not the worst idea," he says. "How do we handle security then?"
"I've been patrolling around the building the last two nights," I say.
"We had some woman named Chrissy come and ask us what we're doing. Apparently, someone noticed us and called her," Holler says. "She doesn't seem very impressed with guys standing guard or walking around the building. Says it's going to scare the other residents."
I know exactly who he's talking about. It's the same woman Juliet explained was the leasing agent.
"I think with me inside, and you in the parking lot for backup if something happens, is enough. Don't you?" I ask.
"I do, but let me check with base and see if they have alternate suggestions. Do you two have plans to leave, or are you here for the night?"
"We're not going anywhere. I'm ordering food for delivery. She has literally nothing to eat in there."
"Want me to have someone shop for groceries?" he asks.
"She wouldn't be very impressed with that," I say, looking over my shoulder and watching the front of her apartment.
"Nothing wrong with an independent woman, even if her being back at the clubhouse would make it a little easier for us to manage."
"Want dinner?" I ask. "We're getting burgers."