Page 38 of Come Back To Me
“I’m sure.” I move toward the table, smiling when I see the plates and cups Gareth set out for us. More for me than anything. Eating human food does nothing for him. A pitcher of lemonade sits in the middle of the table and I lift it, filling one of the cups before taking a seat in the closest chair.
Tools clack and bang as I lift a slice of pepperoni pizza onto a plate, and my eyes fly to the door when I swear I hear the knob turning. Jeff is looking flustered with his tongue partly hanging out of his mouth as he removes the bottom of the window’s glass. He adjusts the frame and examines it closer, tightening screws before slowly sliding the glass back into place.
A clicking sound comes from the other side of me again, and the food I swallow is like glass in my throat.Please stay in the room. Don’t come out yet.My heart is like loud thundering in a storm.
“Almost,” Jeff says, feeling around the corners of the glass. “Just making sure it stays in place before I see if it’ll go up and down like it should.”
“That was fast.”
“Maybe for you.” He shoots me a look, pressing on the center of the glass. “I don’t think it’s going to move anywhere, how about you?”
“Only one way to find out.” I lift my cup to my lips.
“Want to come do the honors?” I keep my eyes on him, trying hard not to look at the bedroom door again, to not make it obvious someone is in there waiting to come out. I can feel him from where he is. He really doesn’t approve of some random guy being here.
“Sure. I’ll be the one opening it after today anyway.”
“You will.” He nods, leaning away from the window. “Come on over here.”
I set my cup down, fighting the urge to look back when I hear a heavy weight pressing on my bedroom door. I walk across the room and Jeff steps out of my way as I place my hands on the bottom of the window.
“Go on,” he encourages with a wide smile.
I lift the window slowly, stopping and looking at him before shoving it all the way up. I close it seconds later and hit the lock into place. “It’s like it was never broken.”
“Yeah. Have anything else you need help with while I’m here?” He steps closer, the toes of his shoes almost touching mine.
“I don’t think so.”
“You sure?” He licks his lips, his gaze heavy as it trails my body. My stomach shifts.
“I’m sure.” I back up and he sucks on his bottom lip, closing the distance again.
“I feel like you’re not being truthful. It must be super lonely to be in here all by yourself every day.”
“It’s been fine,” I say with a nervous tremble in my voice.
“I know how bad it can be. Especially when it gets too quiet. I’ve been there before, remember?” His fingers graze my hips and my jaw draws tight.
“You’re probably starting your shift soon, aren’t you? I’d hate to keep you longer than I already have.”
“No need to worry about that. I have two hours to kill before then.”
“I think you should go.”
His eyes darken and I get a sickly feeling coming over me the harder he stares. “I’m not ready to go yet. I don’t think you’re ready for me to go either.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I attempt to turn away and he snatches my wrist, pulling me to him.
“Let me change your mind, then.”
“You won’t. Please let go.” My spine tingles, my throat going dry.
“Is that how you thank the people who take time out of their day to do you favors?”
“Don’t,” I plead as his lips brush against mine.
“I told you having a broken window could get you in a lot of trouble, didn’t I?”
