Page 13 of Twisted Devotion

The television my attention has been glued to for hours now has every streaming service imaginable, as well as cable.

I’m halfway through an episode ofHouse Hunterswhen there’s a knock at my door. I holler for whomever to come in, and sit up as Gloria walks in with a tray of food.

“Your lunch, Miss—uh, Kelsey.”

I smile at her and get up. “You didn’t have to bring it up here, Gloria.”

“I figured you were enjoying your alone time,” she says with a smile, setting the tray on the coffee table in front of the couch.

“I was, thank you.”

“I made fettuccini alfredo with shrimp and broccoli. I hope that is to your liking.”

“Of course,” I tell her, feeling a bit uncomfortable that she’s waiting on me. I’ve taken care of myself for so long, I’m not sure how to respond to treatment like this, so I say, “It smells amazing.”

She flushes at the compliment. “I’m happy to hear that. Please let me know if you require anything else.”

“This is perfect. Thank you, Gloria.”

She nods, backing toward the door. “Enjoy,” she says on her way out, closing the door behind her.

Bless that woman for understanding my need to be alone with my food and my television.

When dinner rolls around, I figure I better leave the confines of my room. Eating two meals behind a closed door is a little rude, and Jackson—aside from a few comments—has been a welcoming host.

I carry my dishes down from lunch, wandering through the main level into the kitchen. I rinse the dishes off and place them in the dishwasher as Jackson walks into the room.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he tells me.

I shrug, loading my glass in before closing the door. “It’s the least I can do.” Plus, leaving dishes I dirtied on the counter of someone else’s kitchen feels weird. I can clean up after myself.

Jackson arches a brow at me. “I treat my staff very well, Kelsey.”

“That’s not—I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Fine,” he says. “You joining me for dinner?”

“Are you going to eat alone if I don’t?” I don’t know why I asked that. What would it matter? He’s eaten plenty of meals before I got here, and he’ll eat plenty after I leave.

“Yeah, but that’s fine. I’m used to it.”

Pressing my lips together, I nod. “I’ll sit with you.”

“How charitable of you,” he teases. “But seriously, you don’t need to do the dishes.”

“You’re right,” I say. “You can do them.”

“You don’t think I would?” he challenges.

My eyes narrow slightly. “I think we’re going to find out.”

Gloria hurries into the room after I call her name. “Yes, Miss Young?”

“Mr. Hawthorne would like to give you the rest of the night off. He’s going to clean up after dinner tonight.”

“I’ll cook, too,” he chimes in.

My head swings toward him. “Really? Oh, this should be interesting.”

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