Page 32 of Make Her Mine
“The boss helping do the chores is frowned upon.” She went to the door.
“I’m serious, Ella. I want to help you. You must have one bad hangover.” I sprinted to catch up to her. “I’ll clean the toilets. That alone might trigger a barfing session for you.”
Her hand went to her hip as she pursed her lips. “My mother will want to know why you’re helping me.”
“Only if she catches me.” I smiled, then led the way out of my room. “We don’t have to let her in on our arrangement, do we? Does she know where you went last night? Or that you took the ’Vette?”
“No one does.” The way her face fell made me feel bad.
“My brothers and I know. And none of us are mad about it. So, it’s not a big deal. Next time, ask one of us for permission before you take one of the vehicles, please.”
She hadn’t been thinking clearly when she took the car in the first place. Something told me she had a horrible day. “I don’t have you guys’ numbers, though.” Smirking, she went on, “Not that I would’ve called. Things hadn’t gone the way I planned yesterday. It made me angry. Mostly at myself. Then I heard you guys went to the bar, and it only made me madder.”
Walking at her side, I liked the fact she was being so open with me. “And why wouldourgoing to the bar make you mad, Ella?”
Her cheeks went pink. “It just pointed out to me that I stay home all the time when I could be going out. That’s all I meant. It wasn’t about you guys. I’ve been hanging on to my childhood for too long. Not taking the steps most people my age have taken. I can’t seem to do things, and when I do, I do them off beam.”
“You need guidance.” I opened the linen closet and found the cart she used, then rolled it out. “I can help you.”
She shook her head. “Um, no, you can’t.”
“Sure, I can.” Pushing the cart, I led her to the upstairs media room. “This room and bathroom need to be cleaned. With my help, you only have to clean the rooms we utilized in the last couple of days. We’ll be done in no time. What makes you think I can’t help you?”
“You’re a guy. You don’t know what it’s like to be a woman.” She opened the door to push the cart through.
“I know what it means to be a grown-up.” Taking the cleaner, I went to the bathroom. “You dust and vacuum, and I’ll clean up the bathroom while you do that.”
“The mansion has a central vacuum system, you know that, right?” she asked.
I stopped and turned to look at her. “What’s that?”
Handing me a broom and the mop off the cart, she walked in front of me to the bathroom. Pointing at one of the baseboards, she said, “Do you see these small openings around the floor’s edge?”
“Yeah. Funny how I’ve never noticed them before.” I stooped down to take a better look. “What are they?”
“Miniature vacuums. Well, not exactly; there’s a button in the kitchen, and when it’s turned on, the dirt that’s swept up against the openings is sucked in. Push the dirt to these holes when you sweep. And you can’t mop until I go down and push that button.” She left me to my work, and I got to it.
After a half-hour of intensive cleaning—I didn’t want her to think I’d half-assed the job—I went out to find her finishing up the dusting. “Done. Well, until you go down and press that button.”
Smiling, she took the cell she’d taken out of her purse and put into her back pocket. “I usually don’t do that. Tasha, the chef’s assistant does.”
Waiting, I watched her make the call. Why didn’t she say that in the first place? Ella was a complex individual. Helping with her labor, along with what I’d done for her the night before, would hopefully get her to see me as an ally. More than anything else, I wanted to be Ella’s first real friend.
That she was known for not having friends made me feel bad. Not that she’d want me to feel that way, but I couldn’t help it. She had her sister, but they didn’t seem to be that close. Everyone needs someone to confide in, and Ella didn’t seem to have anyone.
Ending the call, she tossed me another spray bottle. “You can mop now. Just spritz the floor with this, then mop it. After that, we can clean the next room.”
Later, after cleaning everything, I bumped my shoulder against hers as I put the cart back into the closet. “How about I take you out for a greasy burger and some fries?”
She put her hand on her stomach. “That might make me puke for sure. I still don’t feel well.”
“You’d be amazed how much it’ll help.” I closed the door, then took her by the hand. “You gave me chicken soup when I had a hangover; let me show you what my usual remedy is.”
“I don’t know.” She hesitated as she looked at our clasped hands. “What would people think if you and I went to eat together?”
“What do we care?” I asked with a grin. “Ella, I’m not humiliated to be seen with you. Are you?”
“No.” She laughed. “Brandon, you and your brothers are the talk of the town right now. Who knows what people will think if you and I are spotted together?”
