Page 46 of Obsessed Fox

I exhaled sharply. "It's not that big of news and I told her because I knew it would get out. Hendrix all but peed on me this morning at the diner to tell the whole town we're together."

"Gross." Janie shivered. "But at the same time I can totally see him doing that. He seems like the kind of man who would want to stake his claim so every guy within a one-mile radius knows you're taken."

"More like a hundred-mile radius." We both chuckled at the truth of my statement.

"Does that mean you're moving out of the apartment upstairs?"

"Probably at some point." I leaned back against the marble counter. "Why, do you know someone who is looking for a place?"

Apartments were few and far between in a town this small. I was lucky the building came with one because there had been nothing available when I moved to Willow Creek, not for a good six months.

"Me." She raised her hand and did a little wave.

I was ashamed to admit I never asked where she lived before. I mean, I knew her address based on her employment application, but nothing more.

"Yeah, of course. How quickly do you need to be out of your current place?"

"Oh, I can move out whenever but I would rather it be sooner than later. It's a little pathetic being twenty-four and still living with your parents."

Well, shit! I couldn't wait to turn eighteen so I could move out. I couldn't imagine sticking around for another six years after that.

"Let me just talk to Hendrix about when I can get my stuff moved over but I would think it wouldn't take more than a couple of days. I can even leave the furniture if you like."

"Oh no, that's okay." She waved me off. "I've been working and saving up since high school. I stayed in a dorm during college and then after graduation I thought it would be better to stay with my parents until I had a nice cushion. I just never imagined I would still be there."

Well, that made the situation sound a little better. Not that I was judging her or anything. At least I was trying not to.

"I'll talk to Hendrix tonight and let you know tomorrow. I actually wanted to talk to you about your schedule today."

"I'll work whenever," Janie was quick to respond. "Open or close, it doesn't bother me. I'm a bit of a hermit anyway, so my social life is a little bland these days."

Now that surprised me. "Really? I figured you had a bunch of friends you were spending your evenings and weekends with. That was one of the reasons I didn't want to put too much on you. I'm a workaholic but that doesn't mean everyone has to be."

"People always assume that because I'm so outgoing. Don't get me wrong, I have friends, plenty of them, but we prefer to spend our nights in, either reading or binging a show with pizza and wine. I tried the club life in college and it wasn't for me."

"Yeah, it wasn't for me either. Too many people bumping into you. I much prefer my personal bubble."

"Same!" Janie screeched. "Usually by the third time someone bumped into me, I was ready to throw down."

We both laughed even though I could never see Janie throwing down against anyone. She was too nice and bubbly. It was more likely she would talk the person to death to get rid of them.

"How about this? Think about it tonight and pick a schedule. I'm just happy not to work twelve-plus hours a day, most days. Plus, Hendrix will thank you."

"I'm sure he will." She winked at me.

I grabbed one of the towels and playfully whipped it at her. "Enough of that. Get back to work before I regret telling everyone my business."

Janie danced away on her tiptoes with a laugh and a smartass comment. "You brought this on yourself."

I sure did, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Hendrix wasn't the only one who wanted everyone in town to know who he belonged to. I too could have a possessive side.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Hendrix

"I didn't know you knew how to cook," Maisie teased me from where she sat at the island watching me boil water. Her chin in her hands and a soft smile on her face. She was freshly showered after a long day baking; I was quickly informed she couldn't do anything until she washed away the sweat.

Her words, because I thought she smelled great.

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