by Alex Dafney
I step into the kitchen and stop in my tracks. Jase stands at the stove, his bare, perfectly tanned back to me as he cooks breakfast. He glances over his shoulder at me, giving me an impish smile. “I hope you don’t mind, but I made breakfast.” I stare at him for an inappropriate amount of time before he steps away from the stove and pulls a coffee cup from the cabinet.
I continue watching his every move as he pours coffee into the mug, adds cream and sugar and pulls the silverware drawer open to retrieve a spoon to stir it. He walks toward me, offering the coffee cup out. “I take it you’re one of those people that can’t function before your morning cup of coffee.” He gives me that smile that brings out the dimple in his cheek as I slip my hand around the cup. I stare at the coffee cup in my hands. “Uh, yeah. Thanks.”
I turn to walk to the bar stools on the opposite side of the counter, sliding onto one as I watch him move around my kitchen like he’s been here a million times. He grabs two plates from the cabinet above him and begins placing eggs, bacon, and toast on each plate. When he turns from the stove carrying both plates, I quickly advert my eyes.
I scold myself internally for acting like a teenage girl. He slides the plate in front of me as he sits on the stool next to me. We both pick up our forks and eat quietly. “About the other night.” I jump at the sudden intrusion in the quiet room. Glancing over I find him giving me a hesitant smile. He takes a deep breath before running his hand through his dark hair.
“I, uh, I just want you to know, I don’t want things to be awkward between us. I mean, we’re going to see each other when you’re checking on Pops, and I had a really good time with you last night and all. And I like spending time with you, but it seemed like you were trying to avoid me yesterday, and-.” He stops mid sentence, glancing over to me with a boyish grin. He shakes his head lightly as he chuckles.
“Shit. I sound like a teenage boy.” I giggle, thinking of how I just scolded myself for the same. “Anyway, I don’t want things to be weird between us.” He motions his hand between us. “I could use a friend while I’m in town.” I look down at the coffee mug in my hands, thinking over his words. “What do you say? Friends?” I glance up to him, finding his hand outstretched toward me.
I scoff as I extend my hand, slipping it into his large, warm hand and shaking. “Friends.” He raises one eyebrow, giving me a playful grin. “Great. Even though you don’t know how to share a bed.” I raise my eyebrow at him. “It’s my bed.” He rolls his eyes as we drop hands, both of us facing each other with our coffees in hand. “You invited me to sleep in your bed. I didn’t ask. You could’ve warned me that you were going to take the entirety of the bed.”
I wrinkle my noise at him, giving him a small smile. “Sorry. I’ve always moved around in my sleep.” He waves a hand toward me. “I’m teasing. Kind of. Once you snuggled into my side you didn’t move anymore.” I feel my cheeks heat as I drop my head to my coffee cup once again. I can’t believe what I thought was a dream was actually happening this morning.
It felt amazing being wrapped up in his strong arms, my cheek planted on his bare chest. “Abbi?” I look up to him with a shocked expression. Like he heard what was going through my mind. “Huh?” He lets out a chuckle as he stands from the stool next to me, grabbing both of our empty plates. “I was asking how we were going to get back to our cars.” I let out a sigh, thankful he has no idea what I was daydreaming about.
“Oh, Blake should be here in a few minutes.” As if on cue there’s a knock at the door. I slide my coffee cup onto the counter as I stand, walking toward the front door. I pull it open and Blake gives me a bright smile. “Morning, doll face.” I step back so he can enter, closing the door behind him. “Why does it smell like bacon in here? I know you didn’t cook.”
I smack him in the arm as he laughs. “I can cook. I just don’t have time.” He makes a mhmm sound. “Hey, Blake. Let me just grab my shirt and I’m ready whenever you two are.” Blake stares at Jase retreating as his mouth slides open. He looks back to me, a devilish grin pulling onto his lips. “Stop.” I say before he utters a word.
“So, you had a slumber party? Did you paint each other’s nails and have a pillow fight? Ooh, I bet you talked about cute boys.” I giggle as I swat his arm with the back of my hand. “I said, stop.” He shakes his head slowly. “Oh, hell no. You’re giving me details.” I shush him as I hear my bedroom door open. “Shut up. There’s no details to tell.” I whisper as Jase steps into the living room.
He looks between the two of us and hikes his thumb over his shoulder. “I, uh, can go back in there.” He then points toward the front door. “Actually, I’ll just step outside and wait.” He starts to walk toward us to make his way between the two of us to step outside. Blake slaps his hand on his shoulder. “No need, bro. I can get the details about what happened here out of you faster than I can Abbi.” I stare at Blake, my eyes narrowed, and my brows drawn together.
“I need to get to work.” I make my way into the kitchen for my purse, only to find it missing from its normal place. I smack my hand to my forehead as I remember tossing it to the living room floor. As I step back into the living room Jase holds my purse out for me. “I picked everything up while you were getting ready.”
I give him a smile in thanks as I turn to walk out the door that Blake holds open. “I’m getting details from one of you, or I ain’t giving neither of you a damn ride.” I spin around on the porch, folding my arms over my chest and giving him an angry glare. Just as I open my mouth to tell him off, Jase smacks him on the shoulder as he steps out the door onto the porch.
“Abbi doesn’t know how to share a bed.” He gives me a wink. I roll my eyes before spinning around to walk down the steps toward Blake’s car. “Ahhh. Doesn’t surprise me. She’s a bit of a control freak. I’d expect the same from her in the bedroom.” My cheeks heat at the sexual innuendo as they both laugh behind me. I open the back door of Blake’s company car and slide in, closing it behind me.
As we drive toward the Tavern, Blake and Jase sit in the front, chatting and laughing like old friends. I stare out the window, making a mental list of my stops for the day. “Hey, Abs. Let’s cook out at your place tomorrow.” I glance up to find Blake looking at me in the rear-view mirror. I give him a shrug. “Sounds good to me.” We haven’t had a get together at my place since last summer, and with the weather finally warm enough to swim it will be nice to see everyone.
Blake parks the car next to mine at the bar and I open the door to hop out. I’m already an hour behind when I normally leave for work. “I’ll call you later about tomorrow.” I give Blake a nod as I close the door. Stepping over to my car I pull the driver door open and slide in. “Abbi.” I look up to find Jase leaning down into my car, his hand resting on the door.
“You’re coming by today, right?” I nod at him. “Of course. I don’t know what time I’ll be around though. I’m getting a late start this morning.” He gives me a smile. “Alright. I’ll see you later then. Have a good day.” He closes the door and walks over to his own, giving me a wave before he gets in the car.
My first patient of the day is anything, but pleasant. After three hours of trying to get her bathed, dressed, and applying her makeup to her liking, I’m finally sitting in my car in the driveway. My stomach grumbles. I glance over at my purse on the passenger seat, realizing I forgot to pack my usual fruit and granola bars.
Reaching over I pull it open to peer inside, hoping maybe there’s a snack from another time. My eyes widen in surprise as I see an apple, banana, and a handful of energy bars. My lips pull into a smile. Jase must have slipped them in my purse when he picked up the contents that had spilled out last night. I grab the apple and bite into it as I pull out of the driveway heading for my next patients’ home.
Six hours later I pull into the Russell’s driveway just after five in the evening. I step out of the car, walking across the gravel driveway toward the front porch. I’m tired, I’m hungry, and all I really want to do
is go home, curl up on the couch and watch a movie. I knock on the door lightly. After knocking a second time I try the doorknob, finding it to be unlocked.
I peek my head around the door to find the living room empty. “Agnus? Jase?” I call out as I step inside, closing the door behind me. I walk toward the kitchen, finding Agnus with her back to me standing in front of the stove. My stomach grumbles as I smell whatever she’s cooking. “Agnus?” I call louder. She glances at me over her shoulder, a wide smile on her face. “Come on in, honey. Jase is helping Arnold in the shower and I’m just finishing up dinner.”
I place my purse on one of the dining chairs and stride over next to her. “I feel bad Jase is doing my job. That’s what I’m here for after all.” She glances over at me, a kind smile on her face. “That’s what Jase is here for as well. Besides, Arnold wouldn’t have you seeing his willy.” She rolls her eyes as I giggle. “Could everyone in this house refrain from using the word willy?” I look up as Jase walks into the kitchen with a playful smile.
He stops next to me, leaning forward and placing a kiss to the top of my head. It’s a friendly gesture, one that Blake has done for years, but this makes my heart beat a little faster. “How was your day?” I give a small shrug. “It was alright. I’m looking forward to getting home and curling up on the couch.” He chuckles.
“Would you two mind setting the table? I’m nearly done here.” Jase gives his grandmother a nod before walking toward a cabinet and pulling four dishes from above. It warms my heart that they don’t even bother asking me to stay for dinner now, just assume that I will. I grab silverware from the drawer and meet him at the table. “Tell me about your day.”
I smile warmly at him before diving into the debacle of getting Mrs. Clark ready for her weekly outing. As I tell him about helping her into her pantyhose that she insists on wearing even though it’s hotter than hell, he throws his head back laughing. I shake my head, a chuckle escaping me. “That’s not even the worst part, the first three pairs were all the wrong shade! I had to go through that four times!”
He grabs two of the plates from the table, walking over to the stove as I follow suit. “I don’t know how you do it, Abbi.” He shakes his head, a wide grin still on his face. “Because it’s her hearts calling. She takes care of others like she would want to be cared for.” I look over to Agnus who is ladling food onto the plates that Jase holds. “I’ve never heard that before, but you’re absolutely right. I love to take care of people and I always try to take care of them the way I would want to be. Even if it means I have to shimmy four pairs of pantyhose onto a woman who can’t see her feet.”
They both laugh as I take in her words. It’s probably the greatest compliment I’ve ever been given in my career. Jase walks toward the table with the two plates, setting them each in front of a chair before walking back and taking the empty plates from my hands. “Go sit down. I’ve got these.” I turn and walk to the table, taking my usual seat.
Agnus shuffles toward the table as Jase carries the two plates behind her. As she sits, he lowers one plate, setting it in front of her. “I’m going to take this to Pops.” I start to stand. “I can do that.” He shakes his head, already halfway through the kitchen. “Sit and relax.” I sit back down, letting out a sigh. I feel terrible for not doing my job.
“Let it go, honey. Jase is just like you when it comes to caring for others. He’d much rather be taking care of his Pops than for you to have to.” I raise my brows at her. “But it’s my job.” She waves a hand toward me. “And you do your job very well. Jase carrying a plate of food into the next room isn’t that big of a deal.”
Once Jase comes back into the kitchen, we have a peaceful meal with pleasant conversation. It’s exactly what I need after a day like today. After checking on Mr. Russell and saying goodbye to Agnus I step out the front door, my purse hitched on my shoulder. Jase steps out behind me, placing his hand on the small of my back as he walks me to my car.
Every time he touches me my heart beats faster. “Are you looking forward to tomorrow?” As we reach my car, I turn to face him. “Yeah. It’s always fun to hang out by the pool.” I give a shrug. He leans toward the car, pulling the door open for me. “I hope you find some time to relax this weekend. I’ll see you sometime Monday.”
I narrow my brows at him. “You’re not coming tomorrow?” He gives me a cheeky grin. “I haven’t been invited.” I roll my eyes dramatically at him, causing him to chuckle. “Would you like to come to my house tomorrow? A few of my friends are going to be coming over to swim.” I say sarcastically as he shakes his head at me.
I slide into the seat and start the car. Jase leans down, ducking his head in the car and placing a kiss to my temple. “What time should I be there?” I give him a small smile as he pulls his head away, ducking back out of the car, but keeping his eyes trained on mine. “Noon. BYOB.” He gives a once nod before closing my car door and stepping back.
As I drive down the driveway, I glance in my rear-view mirror, finding him propped against the column of the porch, watching as I leave. I smile to myself as I pull onto the two-lane road that will take me home. He’s just too damn perfect. He’s gorgeous, has a body that could make a Nun break a vow, he’s kind, and thoughtful of others. I let out a long sigh as I pull my car into my driveway. He’s probably terrible in bed. That must be his downfall.
As soon as the thought crosses my mind my cheeks blush. Why the hell am I thinking about what Jase is like in bed? I shake my head at myself as I unlock the front door and step inside. I’m thinking about it because I haven’t been laid in ages. Remington has been getting his on the side while I’ve been patiently waiting for him to want me.
I toss my purse on the kitchen counter and walk toward the bedroom to change into something to sleep in. I go about my usual nighttime routine before crawling into my king size bed and turning the TV on. As I snuggle into my pillow, I can smell Jase. A little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot sexy. I roll to my back with a sigh, staring up at the ceiling. He wants to be my friend, that’s it.
The next morning, after sleeping in for a few hours I get dressed and make my way to the kitchen to prepare a few snacks for the day around the pool. Just as I’m pushing the oven door closed with my hip, I hear a knock at the door. I grab a dish towel from the counter, wiping my hands as I stride to the door.
I pull it open to find Jase standing on the porch, a bouquet of colorful wildflowers in one hand, a six pack of craft beer in the other. He gives me that grin that shows his dimple as he steps forward, holding the flowers out to me. “I didn’t think to ask if I could bring anything, but I didn’t want to show up empty handed either.”
I take the flowers from his hand, thinking he has to be the most thoughtful man on this planet as I bring them to my face to smell them. Stepping back, I push the door open further so he can enter my home. “Thank you for the flowers. You really shouldn’t have.” As he steps over the threshold he leans down, placing a kiss to my temple. “Of course I should have. Every beautiful woman deserves flowers.”
I close the door behind him, my cheeks heating from him calling me beautiful. As I turn, I gesture my hand toward the kitchen. “You’re a little early. I’m making some appetizers if you’d like to join me in the kitchen.” He waits for me to walk toward the kitchen, falling in line behind me. “Sorry to show up early.” I shake my head, waving a hand toward him before squatting to retrieve a vase from under the counter. “It’s no problem. Like I said, I’m just making some food for everyone.”
As I stand up, I find him directly across the counter from me, sitting on one of the barstools. He gives me a smirk as I go about arranging the flowers in the vase. “Pops has been driving me crazy this morning. He’s had me go out to the barn to check on two dozen ridiculous things. I think he’s developing cabin fever.”
I chuckle as I pick up the vase, walking toward the sink to fill it with water. “Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do for cabin fever. He’ll just h
ave to tough it out.” I turn toward Jase, finding him to have his elbows on the counter and his head propped in his hands. “I don’t know if I’ll make it through the next ten weeks.” I can’t help but to giggle at the exasperation in his voice.
Every family I’ve ever worked with has felt this exact same way. Just as I sit the vase of flowers on the counter the timer on the stove goes off. I grab an oven mitt from the drawer next to the stove, pulling it on and opening the oven door. The smell of stuffed mushrooms makes my mouth water as I pull the baking sheet out, placing it on the stovetop.
“What does he like to do? Other than get kicked by mules.” Jase lets out a throaty laugh, sending my stomach into a swirl of butterflies. God, that laugh is sexy. “Well, he likes to be outside.” After adjusting the timer on the oven for the remaining items inside, I walk over to the bar. Dropping my elbows onto the counter I lean down, looking across at him.
“We could always get a wheelchair so we could take him outside. I know it must be hard for him being cooped up in one room all day.” He raises a questioning eyebrow at me. “We can do that? Damn! That would’ve saved me a ton of lectures on eye rolling over the last week.” We both laugh.
I push myself off the counter as the next timer goes off. I pull out the sheet pan of meatballs, sliding them on top of the stove. “I’ll have a medical supply company deliver one next week.” I glance over my shoulder as I hear him curse under his breath. He holds his phone in his hands, scowling at it as he types quickly. Turning to the refrigerator I pull out the ingredients to make my famous dip, trying my best to be quiet as to not interrupt him.
“Do you have a computer I could use?” I tilt my head toward the living room as I pull the baking sheet from the oven. “On the coffee table in the living room. Help yourself.” I watch from the corner of my eye as he moves out of the room. Within a few seconds he comes back, carrying my laptop and the charging cord for it. I go about prepping the appetizers as he plugs the charger into the wall, settling the computer on the bar.
