Page 58 of You Can Make Me
“Food. I’m serious, Coop. We need to stay on our routine. You’re doing so well, but we need to feed youfood, you need your nap and early bedtime, your exercise?—”
“Well, then let’s go. Gosh, can’t believe you’re lollygagging out here.”
I climbed out of the car and swayed a little. I’d been sitting too long, and Denny was right, I needed to eat. I pulled out my cane. Using it was second nature by now. The elevator wason the other side of the building. Usually I climbed the stairs. I wanted to see if I could make it. I met Denny around back of the car, where he was grabbing my suitcase. He slung my bag over his shoulder, and when I reached for my toiletry bag, he touched my hand.
“I got this,” he said. “Let’s get you upstairs, and then I’ll come back for the rest of our stuff.”
I huffed out a breath but smiled at him. I knew I needed his help, and he never seemed put out about helping me, which made it tolerable. I hated not being independent, but after months of this bullshit, I knew my limits. Mostly.
We climbed up to my third-floor apartment. I was breathing heavy and leaning on my cane, but I made it.
“Next time we use the elevator.” Denny set the bags down, rested his shoulder against the wall beside my door, and looked around. “I know this building has security, but I’m going to want to add some touches of my own. And you know I’m going to have weapons in the house. You’re okay with that? We didn’t talk about it.”
I kissed his cheek. “I want you and all you come with. I appreciate the added security. I hadn’t thought much about that when I bought this place, but a couple of us have had overzealous fans end up outside our doors, so we insisted on private security on site at all times, and it’s been better. But yeah. Whatever you think we need. I trust you.”
I showed him the code as I unlocked the door, and I opened it for him.
“Home sweet home.”
Then terror froze me on the spot. Would he hate it here? Would he get sick of me? Was this all a big mistake?
Denny grinned and pushed away from the wall. He stalked toward me and paused.“This might be presumptuous, but…”
He bent down, scooped me into his arms, and carried me over the motherfucking threshold like I was a cherished bride.
We kissed in the middle of my entryway for several long moments—before a throat cleared that wasn’t either one of ours.
“Oh! Ginny.”
Denny set me down with a chuckle, and I hobbled over to give her a hug.
“I am so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt that fairytale entry. He’s so romantic!”
We squeezed each other and laughed. I turned to face Denny.
“Den, this is?—”
“Great to meet you, Ginny. I’m going down to get the rest of the stuff.”
We both watched him walk out the door, and we sighed at the same time, sending us both into peals of laughter.
“I’m really sorry to interrupt, Cooper, but I wanted to tell you a few things before I left.”
“Sure, okay, and thank you for taking care of everything. I cannot thank you enough.”
“I’m just so glad you’re okay and you’re back. I missed you.”
I squeezed her arm and sat on one of the island stools. “What’s up?”
Her smile flickered, and she took in a breath.“First, I think you should change your codes. There was a guy snooping around your place yesterday. I talked to Audra, and she checked her camera. We don’t think he lives here.”
“That blows.” Audra Diaz was in the unit next door, and she worked for my agent. She and I had become besties since she moved in. Shit. Another person I’d been hiding from. I hoped she would forgive me.
“He was apparently looking at some packages you’d had delivered—we never canceled your coffee subscription or yourGrove cleaning supplies, sorry. I forgot to even mention them. Audra has just been holding them at her place until I come over.”
I’d have to let Denny know. I hated to think of there being a creepy guy around the women in my life. Especially now that I was less able to protect them.
“Guess it’s a good thing we have a hunky ex-cop moving in.”
