Page 53 of Cherish

“What would I need money for? I have a job. And Mellie’s going shopping, not me.” She squeezes me harder.

“If someone’s giving out money, I’ll take some.” Mellie stands in front of me, hand out. I ignore her and put my wallet back in my pocket. “Oh, great. Alex made coffee.” She looks at me and puts a finger down her throat. I will myself not to laugh.

“Yeah, help yourself. I’ve got to go, angel. I’ll see you tonight.” She looks up and I give her a kiss on the lips before pulling away and looking into her eyes. “I hate that I work so much.”

“You love what you do. Don’t ever apologize for that. I’ll be here when you get home. I’ll make dinner.”

I don’t bother looking up. I know Mellie has the deer in the headlights look at the mention of Alex’s cooking. We have both come to the realization that Alex only knows how to make two things well. The chicken and rice dish and bacon and eggs. Everything else has been a disaster.

“I’ve been craving your chicken and rice.” I haven’t, but that’s the only way we’ll have something good to eat if she insists on cooking.

“Okay. That’s what I’ll make.” This time I do look at Mellie who puts her hand on her heart, relieved.

“Make that dinner.” I slap her ass. “I love you.”

“I love you.” One more kiss and I’m out. I ignore Mellie yelling, “I love you too!”

I skip the train today and decide to drive. The rain is heavy against my windshield, and I increase the pace of my wipers. The streets are empty at this early hour, the world black and silent.

Natalie has also been silent. I haven’t heard from her for a month now. She hasn’t tried to call since the wedding. I want to think that she’s gone, but I have a nagging feeling that she’s not, that it’s only a matter of time before she shows back up in my life to do her best to fuck shit up. I haven’t seen her in six months, and if I have my way, we’ll never see or speak to each other again.

It’s a long, slow day with a skeleton crew. Unfortunately, Dr. Doyle is there, watching me every chance he gets. Thankfully, while he’s studying me as I do charts, I give him something to look at.

“Hey, angel.” She’s FaceTiming me. Behind her, I see Mellie and Ananda looking at towels.

“Hey. Can you tell your sister to hurry? She’s been molesting towels forever. I don’t know how all this stuff is going to fit in her car.” She moves the phone around and shows me a shopping cart full of stuff. “And I’m hungry, babe,” she practically whines at the end, pouting playfully.

“And what am I supposed to do about it from here?”

“Come save me.”

“Okay. We’re going out when I get home.” She opens her mouth to argue, but I speak up. “No arguments. Dinner, just you and me, then we can go home, and you can help me relax in that special way only you can.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her, and she giggles.

“Shake ’em for me,” I whisper. She pushes her boobs together and shakes.

“That’s what I’m having for dessert.” She blows me a kiss and ends the call. When I finally look up, Doyle’s looking right at me. I smirk at him as I walk away.

CHAPTER 36

JASON

“I can get it.” Alex runs out of the dining room, and I follow her. I grab the bottle of wine from her and put it on the counter. I wrap my arms around her waist and leave loud, wet kisses on her neck.

“I can get the wine, angel. I want you to enjoy your party. It’s not every day you turn twenty-five.”

“I am. I love it.” She turns in my arms, and I can tell from the pink tinge of her cheeks that one more drink will push her out of the buzzed category.

“I love you.”

“I love you more.” She wraps her arms around me and rests her head on my chest. Loving the feel of her body against mine, I pull her closer and rest my chin on her head.

I regret the move as soon as we both feel my phone vibrate.

“Who is that? That thing’s been going off all night. I thought you said you weren’t on-call tonight.”

I know exactly who it is, and she’s been calling nonstop since yesterday.

“I’m all about you tonight. Don’t worry about the phone.”

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