Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
“Alright. I can do that.”
“I appreciate it, Baker. Thank you.” I start to walk away, but then I turn and keep going backward. “Can I get you anything? How about one of those everything bagels?”
“I won’t say no to that offer.”
And just like that, I have one base covered.
Pulling his phone from my purse, I need to take care of that base next.
CHAPTER 8
Warner
“Fuck me.” I fall back on the bed, holding my hand over my heart. “You scared the shit out of me, Delaney.”
She’s sitting up next to me, smiling like a solid handful of golden rules aren’t being broken. The audacity of this woman. “I’m just sitting here eating a bagel, not making a sound at all.”
“Yeah, that’s the problem.” I glare at her. I sit back up and slide my body until my back settles against the headboard. “Why are you eating a bagel in my bed?”
“Our bed.”
I take a deep breath before I lose my patience altogether. “Are those poppy seeds?”
“It’s an everything bagel. They’re Baker’s favorite. Since I was getting one for him, I figured I’d make it a round. Who doesn’t like everything on their bagel?” She laughs at her own joke as she holds the bagel smothered in cream cheese up to her mouth, while I’m left wondering how she knows my doorman. Before she takes a bite, she shoves it in front of my face. “Hungry?”
Shaking my head, I push her arm away. “I’m good. Anyway, eating in bed is against the rules.”
“Whose rules?”
“My rules,” I snap. “It’s like a cardinal sin. Everyone knows that.”
“Guess I missed that day at Sunday school. I’m surprised you were allowed in church. I thought the holy cross was meant to keep the demons out?”
“I—” Fuck, I don’t even know what to say to that. My brain is lagging while hers is running at full speed. It’s still damn ballsy to eat food in someone’s bed like they won’t care.
Wearing my T-shirt like it’s hers, a smear of cream cheese adorns the shoulder. Don’t react, Landers. It will come out in the wash. Don’t sweat the small stuff. “I got you coffee,” she says, distracting me. Pointing at the nightstand beside me, she grins. “No sweetness added, like your soul.”
“Real funny.”
Shrugging, she says, “I thought so.”
Unaffected by my fake laughter, she takes another bite that is too big for her mouth. She’s going to end up choking. Am I really the one chosen to supervise this criminal activity? “No one is going to steal that from you, you know? You don’t have to finish it in four bites. You are allowed to enjoy your food.”
“Not at my house.” She tosses her head against the headboard and laughs. “If you don’t clean your plate in eight seconds flat, my brothers will clean it for you.”
“Why?”
Surprise widens her eyes. “Do you not have siblings?”
“Do I really need to answer that?”
“You just did.” She sets the bagel on the bare wood of the nightstand. No napkin. No plate. She just sets it down like it won’t leave a permanent mark.
I turn, setting my feet on the floor. With my head beginning to pound and my arm already aching and itchy from the cast, I start to wonder what I did to deserve this. Not the accident. Delaney.
“I need to pick up my prescription.”
“Already did. It’s next to the coffee getting cold.”
I look up to see the paper coffee cup on the nightstand with no coaster in sight. Not how I would do things, but this isn’t a battle I have the energy for. Next to it is a prescription bottle.
Crawling across the bed, she drapes her legs over the side next to me, but her feet don’t touch the floor. I don’t know why that makes me want to smile. I kill that thought to make sure I don’t. “It’s for pain and says to take up to twice a day when necessary. They said they expect that to last if you’re having any. So moderation is key, and make sure to have food on your stomach.” She swirls her hand in presentation in front of me, looking pleased as punch. “Hence, the bagel.”
My blood pressure lowers under the gesture. She’s a total stranger to the part of my brain that’s working, but she’s caring for me like she’s more. A lot more. It’s not something she has to do. She’s here in the trenches with me, helping me recover. “Thanks. You didn’t have to go out of your way.”
“I was going out anyway. I’m just returning the favor. Coffee and a bagel are the least I can do.” Dropping to her feet, she plucks the fabric at her thigh. “Thanks for the clothes. This was thoughtful of you, Warner.”
“It was nothing.” I try to harden my jaw, but it's no use. “It was just a quick email last night before my shower. It’s not like I worked miracles.”