He made a disgruntled sound.
“It’s delicious. I’m just full.”
He was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall nearby. “I’m not angry with you. I’m angry that one piece of pizza fills you up. Your stomach has shrunk to the size of a pea because you’re not eating.”
I huddled under the soft, warm blanket, my tummy blissfully full, and took another sip of wine. “I eat fine.”
“What have you eaten today?”
My eyes drifted closed. His deep, grumbly voice was oddly soothing. “I had a peanut butter sandwich this morning.”
“With what? There’s no bread in your kitchen.”
“The bread was implied. I imagined bread while I ate a spoonful of peanut butter.” Mmm, delicious wine. Alcohol should be on the bottom of the food pyramid. It was definitely more important than meat or grains.
“Didn’t you have a hot dog when you were at work? I know Chuck allows one free dog per shift.”
“I gave you my free dog, Mr. You-Owe-Me-A-Free-Lunch.”
“Damn it, Katie! You have to eat.”
“Couldn’t afford it. I spent what I had on me on the nice mom and her son. He was so cute, my heart hurt. I couldn’t pay for yours, too, so it had to be mine.” My voice sounded hollow and far away.
I felt myself start to tip. I had a moment to worry that I’d spill my wine and then it was gone. I snuggled down into my blanket, my head on Aiden’s sweatshirt. “I like your sweatshirt. You smell nice.”
I think I heard him sigh. “What am I going to do with you?”
I liked it when he kissed me. Maybe he’d do that again.
“Okay.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Aiden
She was out. I considered putting the rest of the pizza in the fridge, along with the wine, and then taking off, but I couldn’t make myself leave. I brushed her hair back from her face. She sighed.
“I like kissing you, too,” I whispered.
“Thank goodness. That would have been awkward.”
I leaned forward and watched her. She was sound asleep and talking. I wished I were a better person. “What do you think of me?”
“Grumpy. Hot. Great ass…Ma’am.”
I chuckled. “Great ass, huh?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
Shaking my head, I tried another one. “Why did you really wreck your husband’s car?” Her brow furrowed in her sleep and I instantly regretted the question. It was wrong, prying into her subconscious this way. “Never mind. Go back to sleep.”
“He stole Gran.” She curled tighter. “Didn’t love…Cheated.” Her fingers twitched. “Never smart enough. Pretty enough. Thin enough...Never enough.”
She was breaking my heart.
“It’s okay now. You’re safe. You can sleep.”
“Gran hates me.”
