Page 80 of New Growth
A beat of silence passed as I hesitated. “Not sure.”
“Huh. Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
My eyebrows creased. “Be where soon?”
“At the shelter. Send me the location.”
Fuck. I sighed, already knowing there was no stopping him once he made up his mind. “Elliot, come on. I don’t have time for games. I’ll be working.”
“So will I. I’m sure you’ll find use for all this manpower I’m packing.”
I let out a soft laugh that I know fed his ego. I could picture the smirk on his face, cocky and full of confidence, probably flexing those insanely toned arms because he knew he looked good.
Annoying.
But… he wasn’t wrong. If he helped carry everything, we’d be set up in half the time. He had no idea how much of a pain it was to assemble just one portable shampoo bowl.
He must’ve sensed my hesitation because his voice reassured me. “I’ll stay out of your way while you work. I promise. I just wanna see you.”
My grip on the phone tightened. The way he said that last part made my heart stutter. I wasn’t used to this. A man who didn’t just say he wanted to be around me but actually showed up for me.
No excuses, no hesitation.
I exhaled. “Okay. Since you promise to behave, I’ll send my location.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
I hung up and stared at my phone for a moment longer, feeling something warm spread through my chest.
?
By the time we arrived at the women’s shelter, the sun hung high in the sky, casting waves of heat against the pavement. The van’s back doors swung open, revealing boxes of hair products, styling tools,feminine care packs, and a couple of collapsible shampoo bowls. We also packed up the donations bin we had at the front of the salon as well. Hope thought it was tacky, but the clients loved the idea. Even some of her friends donated, much to her annoyance.
Esther stretched her arms over her head, sighing dramatically. “It’s too damn early for this. And it’s hot as hell.”
I shot her a look. “Maybe if you came home at a reasonable time, you wouldn’t be so tired.”
“First of all, I’m still here, ain’t I? Don’t judge me as I’m doing the Lord’s work.” She argued, grabbing a box. “Second of all, just because you were already in the house with a man doesn’t make you any better.”
I ignored her and grabbed the other end of the box.
We worked in silence for a bit, hauling supplies into the makeshift salon we’d set up in one of the community rooms. Inside, the air-conditioning was a relief, cooling the sweat on my skin instantly. Women of all ages milled around, some sitting in plastic chairs, others chatting near the reception desk.
I was going to begin unpacking when the front doors swung open.
And there he was.
Elliot strolled in like he owned the place, wearing a plain black tee that stretched over his broad shoulders, sweats that hung low on his hips, and his Converse. He scanned the room, spotted me, and grinned.
“Peanut. You look so pretty in your casual clothes.”
I rolled my eyes. The man had seen me in pajamas and a face mask less than twenty-four hours ago, so this should not impress him.
“Yeah, thanks. Can you grab this?” I shoved the box Esther and I struggled with into his hands, and he took it with ease.
“Damn, y’all putting me straight to work, huh?”
I crossed my arms. “Of course, you said I should find uses for that manpower, right?”
