Page 55 of Silver Edge
I opened my eyes to find Drake standing next to the tub with a towel in hand. “We need to get on the road. I’ve got to be back here by four o’clock for an interview. I promise to give you more time tonight if you want another hot bath.”
A fluffy brown towel welcomed me from the tub. “I’m going back to the warehouse tonight.”
“Why?”
“You don’t need this right now. There’s too much going on. Besides, you need sleep more than playing doctor to a freak.”
Drake spun me around, and his eyes narrowed at me. “Don’t say that. You’re not a freak.”
I lowered my head and tried to escape his hold, but he tipped my chin up. “Come back to me. I don’t know where you went, but please let me back in. I’m so sorry if I hurt you.”
“I’m fine.” I swallowed back the rising lump in my throat and realized my legs weren’t shaking any longer. “I can walk now. Thanks.” I grabbed some clothes out of my duffel Drake had retrieved from the warehouse the day after he brought me here. He’d said he was making a food run but showed up with all my stuff.
I wasn’t gonna argue with him any longer. Instead, I’d just sneak out while he was with the reporter and go home where I could be alone. Once dressed, I joined Drake downstairs. He sat on the bottom step with car keys in his hand, waiting for me.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay behind? I’m sure you want some alone time with your grandmother.”
“No. I want you with me.” He stood two steps below me, eye to eye with me, so I couldn’t look away. “Scarlet, I feel something for you. It’s strong. I don’t know exactly what will happen, but can you put up with me a little longer?”
“Put up withyou?”
He smiled and cupped my cheek. “Yes, with me.” His eyes dipped to my lips and I knew he’d kiss me, but I didn’t stop him. It was gentle, sweet, and tentative, yet I still felt it to the tip of my toes.
When he broke away, I slid my fingers between his. “Let’s go see your grandmother. She’s waiting.” My words were rewarded with a grin from Drake. The kind I hadn’t seen in days. It warmed me to know I could make him smile. Now, if we could figure out how to trust each other and ourselves.
Chapter Twenty-Three
A beautiful spread of food laid out on a white cloth-covered table waited for us in the dining hall. There was some kind of decorative chicken salad, bread, and a green salad with bright red tomatoes. Drake’s grandmother stood with her cane and waved us over. “You made it.”
“Sorry we’re late, Nana.” He kissed her cheeks then helped her into her chair.
“I’m afraid it’s my fault,” I blurted.
She waved a brown spotted hand at me. “No worries, darling. You’re here now.”
Drake rushed to my side and pulled out my chair, too. I sat, and he scooched me closer to the table. They both picked up their napkins and placed them in their laps, so I did the same. Perhaps I could follow their social cues and learn proper manners.
Drake slid his hand under the table and held mine. He’d done that the entire drive up to the mountains. I didn’t pull away, but I wasn’t sure what it meant, either.
“I hear you have big plans coming up in the next few weeks, Scarlet. According to my grandson, you’ve single-handedly saved the club.” She cut a tomato in half, smeared it through some kind of white dressing, then delicately raised it to her mouth.
I shrugged. “I didn’t do anything.”
Drake squeezed my hand. “How can you say that? You came up with the concept for the entire event, managed to get hundreds of entries for the competition, and you’ve listened to all that music to pick out the best. You’ve been brilliant.”
The corners of my mouth tugged upward involuntarily.
“What a pretty smile.” His grandmother clapped her hands together in that theatrical way she had.
“It’s a beautiful smile,” Drake echoed.
His grandmother gasped. “Oh, dear. I forgot my pills. Drake, hon, would you go to my apartment and get the white pill case on my counter? I’d go, but you both would be done eating by the time I returned.”
I released his hand and scooted my chair back. “I’ll get them.”
“No, dear.” Her hand clamped down on mine like a vice grip. She wasn’t as frail as she acted.
Drake kissed the top of my head and dropped his napkin into his chair. “I’ll be right back.” He swaggered out the main door toward the lobby.
