Page 36 of Mistletoe Omega
“I grabbed an extra shift.”
“Why? You don’t need so many shifts now.” He helped me get my hoodie on, and then opened the door for me, and we left the doctor’s office.
“I can’t just not contribute to the household expenses.” He’d been so generous, I didn’t want to take advantage.
“You do contribute.” When we reached his truck, he headed to the driver side. He wiped off a layer of snow that had formed on the windshield while we were inside the medical building. Once in the cab, he started the engine.
“You pay for mostly everything.”
He frowned. “So what?”
“I know your electricity bill and water bill must be bigger.”
“I was just joking about the water bill in there.”
I shrugged. “I know. But it’s true that having me live with you increases your spending.”
He shook his head as he backed out of his parking space. “I have plenty of money. I love having you in my home.”
My heart warmed at his words. “And I love being there.”
“Well, then stop taking extra hours. I’d rather have you around more, instead of you working extra shifts so that I never get to see you.” He sighed.
“I suppose I know that once I get bigger, I won’t be able to work so much. I’m getting in as many hours as possible now.”
“Admit it; you don’t want to rely on me for anything.”
I frowned. “That’s not true.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes.” I stared out the window at the snowy landscape. “But I do need some independence.”
Sighing, he said, “You can have all the freedom you want. I’m not trying to control you.”
“I know,” I murmured. “But a person should always have a backup plan.”
“What?” He scowled at me. “For what?”
I glanced at him. “You know… just in case.”
“In case what, Sam?”
I could see he was annoyed with what I’d said. “Well, I can’t foretell the future.”
He scowled, and we rode in silence for a while. Then he said, “Just so I understand you… you feel you need to have a Plan B, just in case we don’t work out?”
My face warmed. “I guess I’m just used to needing a backup plan.”
“What about me, Sam? Should I have one too just in case you bail on me?”
I shifted to face him. “Don’t get offended.”
“Forgive me. I just found out the guy I’m in love with thinks we won’t work out. Sorry if that gets to me a little.” He pulled into his driveway and parked. He got out, and strode toward the house with stiff shoulders, and I got out of the truck shaking my head.
Once we were both inside, I pulled off my hoodie and hung it on a hook near the door. “You’re over reacting, Graham.”
“I don’t know that I am.” He moved to the fireplace and began stacking some wood on the hearth.
