Page 38 of Dirty Chef
I stuck to a bottle of water, as I was a man with standards.
Sometimes it was weird to think he got along best with our oldest brother. Alex was a businessman who rocked Armani on the clock. But the two had a good dynamic; they lived together—and not alone. Fuckers had their own kinky harem. It was them, two girls, and another guy.
“Okay.” Jamie stifled a yawn. “Ask your favor.”
“I want you to bring your guitar tonight,” I said. “There’s a couple songs I’d like you to play.”
* * *
“Ouch!” I withdrew my hand and scowled at the scratches along my arm.
The little shit had drawn blood.
The lady who worked at the shelter smiled sheepishly.
Sorry, that was a no go. I’d been on the fence walking in here but figured women loved kittens and puppies… Yeah, no. There was no space or time in our life for a cat. I’d have to go with Plan B, which I thought was better anyway. So I left the shelter and the lethal fur ball behind, and I drove over to the furniture store I’d seen coming off the exit to the Valley.
On my way into the store, I sent Alessia a text.
When was the last time I had my tetanus booster?
It wasn’t until I left the store with two big boxes that she responded. I grunted at the weight and lowered the tailgate of my truck. Then I put the boxes down so I could read her response.
Good morning to you too. Four years ago. Why? And where are you? I thought you wanted to speak like adults.
I winced.
No need to remind me what a dick I’d been yesterday.
Some truth would be good now. I replied to her before I pocketed my phone and got in the truck; I had one more stop before heading home.
I’ll be home soon. I had to stop and get a crib for our future kid.
* * *
“Is it a gift?”
My forehead wrinkled. Huh?
I knew it was a scripted question; salespeople were supposed to ask that, but come on.
“Yeah, I’m not gonna propose to myself,” I replied. “You don’t need to wrap it, though.”
The woman flushed and placed the ring in a box. “Right, of course.”
I smiled and handed over my credit card. That was gonna sting next month, but I couldn’t drop to one knee with a fucking gumball machine ring.
I’d eyed the solitaires long enough for Alessia to text me to ask what was taking so long. This was after her message asking me what I was smoking.
My girl was a sweetie.
In the end, I’d found a better ring, one that wouldn’t be in the way or get stuck in shit when she worked. She was practical and didn’t like flashy jewelry. This one was perfect, I thought. The white gold was encrusted with tiny diamonds and came together as two infinity symbols, with a modest rock in the middle.
I declined a bag and pocketed the ring box when all was said and done, and then I walked out and felt my heart creep up into my throat.
What the fuck was I doing?
That Alessia and I had both been blind to each other’s attraction and feelings was crystal fucking clear, but marriage? Shopping for a crib? What if she wasn’t ready for that shit? I’d misread her before—evidently.
On the other hand, it wouldn’t be a bold gesture if I didn’t put it all on the line for her.
I was showing her what I was ready for. What I wanted with her.
The minute I knew she loved me back, I was proposing.
* * *
I grunted as I pushed the door open at home. The boxes weighed a ton, and I couldn’t leave them in the truck.
I huffed a breath and set them down behind the door.
At the same time, Alessia came out of her room.
“What is—did you actually—I mean, you were kidding, right?” She stared at me in disbelief.
When she started stammering, I knew she was unsure and close to short-circuiting that brain of hers. She could handle a lot. After all, she took care of me. But having the tables turned too quickly caught her off guard.
I walked over to her and cupped her cheeks, dipped down, and kissed her hard.
“I didn’t see the note.” I spoke against her soft lips in between kisses, waiting for her to unfreeze. “The note you left me on the nightstand—I didn’t see it until I checked in on you last night. I’m sorry, baby.” I slipped my hands back to her neck and kissed her slower.
Her hands came up to my arms.
“So, you thought—” She knitted her brows.
“I watched you through the door in the kitchen.” I took a breath. “I tried to be rational about it at first. You’re the best person in the world. You wouldn’t hurt me.” I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “But the more I watched—it burned.”
