Page 61 of Hold Me Instead
“It’s okay.” Charlie stood, an adoring look on her face as her gaze left Maple and met his.
He stopped short, caught off guard by her soft expression, one she gave so freely to animals as though they all stole her heart. Maura was on the receiving end quite a bit as well. There was one time he thought he’d caught it directed at him—when they’d helped the kittens. He’d been holding one of the little guys in his hands, saying how lucky it was, only to look up, directly into Charlie’s eyes. A sheen to their hazel warmth, her smile had made him feel like a hero.
The glow of the office lamps created a halo effect around her now, the space as cozy as a cabin up north. A pink hue rose to her cheeks and skimmed down her neck, and she bit her lower lip. When his eyes followed her action, she cleared her throat and turned back to her desk.
“What are you two doing here?” Her voice cracked.
WhatamI doing here?
“Thought I’d swing by to finish our conversation. About the groceries. Maple and I were running out anyway,” he hastened to add as she turned.
One eyebrow raised above rose-gold glasses. “Was there a problem with them?”
“Problem? No. They’re all tucked away in Jordan’s fridge.” He cringed at his words.
Her voice was laced with humor. “Do you need me to tell the food a bedtime story?”
His laugh shook, and he scratched a hand through his hair. Hewasnervous.
“I’m afraid it’d be grim,” she continued. “All about what they’re in for in a few days.”
He groaned. “Harris, that’s dark.”
She chuckled. “Hey, I warned you, Lee.” She lifted her purse to her shoulder, and he finally registered her coat.
“You’re heading out?”
“Yeah. Running home to feed Toothless and then helping Magnolia at her shop.”
“You’re doing that tonight?”
“Yeah. She’s got a fair amount left, and she’s basically here alone.”
“How are you managing that in the midst of everything else?”
She shrugged. “Good to have a change of scenery, I guess.”
He nodded and looked at Maple, head resting between her paws, eyebrows seesawing as she watched them. “Think Toothless and Maple are on a similar schedule. Need to get her home for dinner too.”
“I thought the two of you were heading somewhere?”
“We were?” What had he said? “Oh, right. Well, just a quick stop. The fridge! I left stuff in this fridge earlier.” Not as smooth as if he’d mentioned it up front, but it was true.
“Oh, you’ll find quite a few things in there. More deliveries came this afternoon.”
“Seriously?”
She nodded.
“Right. If you hang on a second, we’ll walk you out?”
She tilted her head, then nodded. “Okay.”
“Great.” He hurried out of the office, telling himself to cool it the entire way to the kitchenette and back, meals piled in his arms. “All set,” he said.
“Want some help?” She turned off the lamps and walked toward him, Maple at her heels.
“No.”
