“I get uncle status, do I?”
“It’s certainly an open position at this time.” My heart did a little flip-flop. He walked me to the elevator doors. We stood there, and it seemed neither of us wanted to part company. I liked him. Leaving was disappointing, but I had to attend to my life. I wasn’t a lovesick teenager, even though it was very tempting to act like one.
“I’ll be by for a few hours tomorrow for sure. I, unfortunately, must get some work done before I find myself jobless. I had hoped to be available all day all week, but you know how it goes.”
“Somehow, I doubt that would happen, but I should probably make some calls tomorrow. If you want to, why don’t you come by at the end of the day? I’ll make you some dinner?” He looked at me with such hope.
“I’d love that!!” I said it way more enthusiastically than a dinner invitation usually warranted. His face lit up when I accepted, and my toes curled.
“Would it be alright if I kissed you?” He closed the gap between us instantly.
“I would really.” He kissed my jaw. “Really.” He kissed my neck just under my ear. “Like that.” He claimed my mouth. Kissing me hard, his hand pushing my mouth against his. Our bodies pressed together; his excitement was evident as our groins pressed together. I melted into him, savoring how he felt, his small moan, and the feel of his fingers in my hair.
I gasped when we parted. “I hate leaving, but I will see you tomorrow. I look forward to getting to know you better. No more hookups. Though it might kill me.”
He made a little groan. “It might just kill us both.” Then, he kissed my lips one more time. “Get going. I’ll think about your mouth on mine until I see you tomorrow.”
I grabbed the backpacks and headed downstairs, jogging across the street and entering the office.
“Well, look who it ….” Sarah stopped and looked at me. “Those are not the clothes you were wearing this morning.”
“You are correct. I am wearing different clothes.” I didn’t even smirk at her.
Her eyes got enormous, and she grinned ear to ear. “Rodney, bring Daisy out, will you.”
“Oh, Uncle Aaron is …. “He stopped mid-sentence like his mother. “Those aren’t the clothes you were wearing this morning. Those aren’t even your clothes.” He walked over and touched the jersey. “Dude, that's nice.”
“Let’s focus, Rodney. Go back to where you started.” Sarah said.
“Oh yeah.Those are different clothes. What happened to the clothes you started the day in?” Rodney looked at his mother. She would never have asked me, but she knew Rodney wouldn’t give up. She had counted on that from him.
I held up the backpacks. “River sent me with swag for you.”
“Oh shit! I like this guy already.” Rodney took the bag I held out to him. There was an embroidered Hot Shots logo on it. “Wait, this guy works for Hot Shots, the sports agency?”
“This guy, whose name is River,isHot Shots sports agency.” I grinned ridiculously at Rodney.
“Oh. My. You like him. Isn’t that some shit? Good for you, man. It’s been a long time since I saw a grin like that from you. I hope we see more of it.”
He looked at his mom. “Leave him alone, Mom. We don’t want to scare him.”
I handed Sarah her bag and then opened mine. I tapped my chest. Daisy flew off Rodney’s shoulder to mine. She rubbed against my cheek and chirped at me happily. I cupped my hand up by her, and she pushed into it with her head. “I missed you too. I think maybe I can take you with me tomorrow.”
“Going back again tomorrow?” Sarah and Rodney said in unison.
“It’s a requirement. I have to mentor River and his new dragon. It’s only appropriate to see him every day for at least the first week.” Neither of them seemed to buy it. Sarah just giggled and continued pulling out her treasures.
I noticed we all had the same things: a hoodie, polo shirt, cups, pens, a ball cap, and various other things. I had one item in mine that wasn’t in the others.
Rodney whistled as I lifted it out. “Woah. That’s incredible.”
It looked like a jacket a rocker would wear. The deep scent of quality leather filled my nose. There were chrome zippers on the pockets, and across the front, a Hot Shots logo embroidered on the breast nearly matched the leather color, so it seemed like a shadow on the jacket. It was gorgeous; typically, I would not accept such an expensive gift, but I knew he had chosen it specifically for me. He had also mentioned that this was his love language, so I wouldn’t insult the man by not accepting it. I pulled it on. Daisy was used to walking on my shoulders while I put on coats, so she hustled back and forth. The jacket fit me perfectly. I could only think how it was like River wrapped around me; this was my new favorite outerwear.
I tried to hide my smile, but it did no good, so I shoved all my items in my bag and left without a goodbye.
I climbed into my truck, and I heard a text message come in. I knew without looking it was Sarah or Rodney. It chimed a second time. It was both.
Rodneydoodle: I vote we keep him!
