Page 12 of Sweetheart and the Grouch
“No.” She sets down the fresh bucket of cleaning solution and picks up the cloudy one we were using to empty. “He’s our neighbor. There’s a difference.”
Her words cause my mouth to form a thin line, cutting through me in a way I didn’t expect. I’d woken up this morning knowing that the best cause of action was to get these girls back in the cabin so I could walk away and we’d all lead separate lives. It seemed like the sensible thing to do. But with every moment I spend around the both of them, more layers are getting revealed, and the more I’m realizing they need someone looking out for them. As it stands, I don’t feel comfortable giving that job to anyone but me.
“I’m your friend, Ainsley,” I say, dropping my cloth into the water and rising to my feet. “Tell me why you had to leave the city so fast.”
“You made it very clear this morning that all we could be is neighbors,” she retorts, her chin jutting up in the most adorable way. “And as neighbors, we really should mind our own business.”
She turns and marches out of the room again, the dirty bucket under her arm and her head held high.Not too fast, sweetheart.
“She seems mad at you,” Ellie stage-whispers.
“Stay here,” I say, following Ainsley out and catching up in just a few short strides. “How about you drop the dramatics and talk to me? Are you in trouble?”
“What’s with the dad voice? Are you gonna spank me if I don’t fess up?”
I glower down at her. “Don’t test me.”
She laughs. “I don’t think you have it in you. A man worried about a little age gap isn’t about to role play. Why don’t you let the subject drop? Ellie and I are just fine,” she says, placing the bucket on the counter next to the kitchen sink.
“So fine you had to sell most your shit and leave the rest of it behind?” I place my hand on her shoulder and urge her to turn and face me. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Leave italone,” I snap, spinning away from me and grabbing the bucket again, tossing its contents into the sink in one go. She lets out a holler when it sloshes up and coats not just the front of her shirt, but mine too.
“Jesus Christ, Ainsley.” I step back and shake the liquid off my arm. “I’m fucking trying to help you here.”
She turns on me, eyes flashing. “Well maybe I don’t want your help, Ajax. Maybe I want you to go and leave us be. We’ve been fine without you all our lives. So go back home like the neighbor you are and forget you ever saw us.”
Her chest heaves as she glares up at me, and I’m struck by just how beautiful she is when there’s a fire in her eyes. I wage a war with my desire, knowing there’s a very thin veil of reason maintaining my restraint. But eventually I get a handle on myself before I lean in close and lower my voice to a murmur. “I can’t do that.”
“Are you two about to kiss?” Ellie giggles, standing at the edge of the kitchen with her hands over her mouth like she spoke when she shouldn’t. “You look like you’re gonna kiss.”
Ainsley steps back and pulls her wet shirt away from her chest, and I try to pretend I didn’t see the way it clung against her curves. “I look more like a drowned rat.” She flashes her sister a forced smile. “I should probably go change. But Ajax was just leaving. You know the way out, don’t you?” she says, aiming that last part at me with fake brightness.
“Sure,” I say, stepping away from her while swiping a hand across my mouth. “I can go. But maybe we can finish the rest of that conversation later.”
She tilts her head to the side and smiles like she doesn’t know what I'm talking about. “I think I’ve said all I plan to say. Thank you once again for all your help. You’ve been very neighborly.”
Nodding, I release a slight chuckle before I move to brush past her, pausing to lean into her ear and speak so only she can hear me. “You can tell me what’s going on, or I can find out for myself. Don’t think that’s something I can’t or won’t do.”
Her breath sucks in as I straighten up. Then I continue on my way, scruffing Ellie on the top of the head on my way past. “Bye, Jax,” she calls after me. “I can’t wait to try your chocolate cake.”
I can’t help but smile. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I reckon it’s the way to a kid’s heart too. And as for me leaving, I don’t get too far when my cell goes off in my pocket. Leaning against the side of my truck, I answer it.
“Dylan.”
“Hey, bro. Sorry I didn’t call back sooner. It’s been crazy days at this conference. Did you say the tenant moved in already?”
“Yeah. A couple of girls. They have keys and a signed lease, so I figure it’s legit. But I thought it was strange you didn’t say anything.”
“Millie organized it. Said it’s a young mom and her kid?”
“Sisters. Nineteen and ten.”
He lets out a low whistle. “You think they’re in trouble?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” I push off the side of the truck and dig through the back for a clean shirt that doesn’t smell like lavender and vinegar.
“You sound concerned.”
