Not to mention that I all but got off on their disapproval of it.
Cooking was not just food to me, it was a means of keeping my body and soul together—the one way I could achieve both independence and defiance for a long time.
“I do. And I’m afraid to say that the miniature microwave I use to make ramen in my dorm is just not the same as having an actual kitchen.”
“Ah.” I can see the wheels turning in his mind, about what I am unsure of.
Kronk almost bowls me over once he reaches us.
“You like this big fancy yard?” I crouch down and aggressively scratch on either side of his head prompting him to lick the side of my neck. “Gross, you furry beast.”
He doubles down on the gross factor and licks my face, placing a paw on my shoulder. The unexpected force of it causes me to lose my balance.
I tip backwards onto my ass and Jack lets out a throaty chuckle. “He’s always making you fall, huh?”
He extends his hand, and I gratefully accept it. “Yeah, pretty much. He just wants some kisses.”
With his strong grip, he pulls me to my feet, steadying me as I regain my bearings. “Does he typically stay inside or outside?”
I dust off the butt of my jeans. “He’s totally fine being outside during the day. He prefers that, actually. His energy is endless and it’s good for him to be able to run around all day so that when I bring him inside in the evening he’s less apt to destroy everything you know and love inside your home. At night he sleeps in a crate, so you won’t have to worry about him roaming through the house getting into things or anything like that.”
“How is he with other animals?”
We naturally gravitate to walking the inside perimeter of the fence. “Indifferent, which is surprising, I know. Your cat is inside, I assume?”
He rubs his hand along the scruff on his face. “Yeah. Milo isn’t a fan of dogs, oranyone, just so you know. Maybe we should avoid having them run into one another. It shouldn’t be an issue, though. He tends to stay hidden in thecatacombs.”
“Catacombs?” I eye him.
“Yeah. Lined with human skulls and everything.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.Catacombs would more likely be lined with the skulls of mice.”
“Nope. Milo is savage. Definitely all human. I’ll give you a tour sometime.”
I stuff my hands into my back pockets. “Pass, but you should probably give me a tour of the rest of the place.”
“I can do that.”
We slowly make our way back inside, and my anxiety suddenly and unexpectedly wraps me up in a fucking bear hug.Great.
It’s not because of the situation or anything specific that triggered this feeling, it just comes out of absolute nowhere sometimes. In my mind I can be fine, but my body’s reaction to whatever chemicals are fucked up in my brain tells a completely different story.
I focus on taking deep breaths, trying not to make it obvious as he leads me through the halls pointing out each room as we go, and shows me how to arm and disarm the security system. He shares with me all the details of Sienna’s day and night routine, his voice filled with love and adoration for her. My heart pinches and I’m so glad this sweet baby found her way to him in such a sad situation. I hope her mom chokes, wherever she is.
“My schedule is pretty flexible because almost all my classes are online. Which I am sure you already know because asmy professorit’s likely you have access to my schedule, no?” I give him a flat look, half teasing him about the fact that he failed to divulge that bit of information. He doesn’t even look guilty about it, so I continue. “I go in person once a week, but that class doesn’t interfere with the schedule you sent me. I’m fine doing school while I’m here, and I promise it won’t hinder my ability to care for Sienna and give her all the attention she needs. I’m a great multi-tasker.”
He pulls out a seat from the island now that we’re back in the kitchen. “I trust you.” There is a stretch of silence. “And it’s definitely not because I had a friend run a thorough background check, asked all of your former employers how you were with their kids, and have cameras in every room of the house.”
I laugh incredulously. I guess the fact that he’s taken these steps also saves us an awkward conversation about the skeletons I haven’t exactly chosen to keep in my closet. “I would expect no less.” I take a seat, leaving an empty one between us. “You’re sure you’re fine with me just coming and going even while I’m not working? I don’t want Kronk to be a burden to you, but I also don’t want to be a bother being here to take care of him day and night.”
He pulls a key from his shirt pocket and slides it across the granite countertop. “It’s a non-issue.”
Something in his tone catches me off guard. I need to get it together, because there’s no way hewants me here,wants me here. I take the key and close my fingers around it. The jagged edge bites into my palm. “Anything else I should know?”
“I think that covers it,” he seems thoughtful like he’s searching the files in his mind for anything he may have forgotten to share with me. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
The sentiment comes out of nowhere, but I appreciate it nonetheless. It’s not something we can or should continue to tiptoe around. I give him a tight smile. “Thanks.”
