Page 23 of All I Need

WITH BRUTUS ON MY HEELS, I walk up the steps of the front porch. The front door is open, leaving just the screen door closed. Whatever’s cooking inside has my stomach growling and Brutus excited as he dances around for the invitation to go inspect. I knock three times, even though Miss Polly has told me many times to just come in without knocking.

“Come in,” I hear Miss Polly call happily.

Brutus doesn’t hesitate as soon as I open the door, his target the kitchen and Miss Polly.

“Oh my goodness. Who’s this?”

My steps falter when I see Ellie crouched down on one knee in front of Brutus as he licks all over her face. Frozen in place, I can’t take my eyes off her.

Either he’s in love or she was tasting some of whatever they’re making.

Her giggle bounces around in my head, sending off warning signs. Especially when she tilts her head back just as he attacks her, laying her flat on the floor. She continues laughing and he continues licking and I continue to stare because I’m an idiot and already lusting over a woman who I’ve known for a cumulative four hours. And yes, I’ve actually figured up the time we’ve spent together. Pathetic as that may sound.

Feeling eyes on me, I look up to see, of course, a knowing look aimed in my direction from Miss Polly.

I roll my eyes but it doesn’t faze her. She just spins around to continue working at the counter, her shoulders shaking as she does.

I clear my throat. “Brutus, let Ellie up.”

“Brutus, huh? You look like a Brutus,” she says, playing with his cheeks. He moves to get off her when I snap my fingers and I reach down a hand to help her up off the floor.

Her small hand slides into mine and I pull, her weight a little less than I expected. I tug with a little more force than I intended to and she falls into my arms with an, “Oomph.”

Her head is flat against my chest and I look down, my arms now fully wrapped around her and for some reason, neither of us seem to be moving away from each other.

I bite back a groan at how perfectly she fits—like her body was made for mine. Then another at how cliché that sounded in my head. I’m pretty sure my sister has read that exact thing in almost every single romance book she’s ever read. Every time she would talk about a book or say something about how swoony a hero was when he talked about a tingle occurring at a single touch or bodies fitting together perfectly, I would tell her it was bullshit.

I won’t be admitting that maybe all those books held some level of truth. Fiction or not.

Clearing my throat again, I gently set her upright and take a much-needed step away. “Smells great in here.”

“Ellie made lasagna.”

Of course she did. “My favorite,” I say, eyes on Miss Polly’s back.

She shrugs and looks over her shoulder. “Oh is it? I had forgotten. My memory is slipping in my old age, you know.”

“Mm hmm. I’m sure you did.” The turd. She knows damn good and well it’s my favorite. She’s been making it for my birthday dinner for as long as I can remember for that very reason. I move my eyes to Ellie and ask, “Anything I can do to help?”

“Set the table?”

“Outside or in?”

“Outside! Yes,” Ellie says loudly and I look to her, noticing her cheeks slightly pinking. I raise my eyebrows. “Sorry. My excitement level probably sounded a little over the top, huh? I love eating outside.”

“You don’t say?” I tease.

After I get the table set, I come back inside to help bring out the food and drinks. Not surprisingly, Miss Polly arranges us so that I’m in the middle to make sure I’m seated next to Ellie.

It bears repeating, not setting us up, my ass.

Miss Polly places an enormous amount of lasagna on my plate and winks at me. So subtle, that one. I look to Ellie and lift my fork, pointing to the meaty, cheesy goodness I’m about to slice into. “This looks delicious.”

“I hope you like it,” she says, her voice a little shy. She shifts in her seat almost like she’s a little uncomfortable and I wonder if I make her nervous or if it’s just her. I don’t know her well enough to know her signs yet but I do know it feels like there’s an elephant in the room and it’s making everyone sit on edge. Okay, so actually only Ellie and me. Brutus looks perfectly comfortable lounging in the corner and Miss Polly appears incredibly pleased with herself.

I take a bite and immediately gag, covering my mouth with the napkin that was laid on my lap.

“It’s…”

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