by Emma Nichole
“Thank you for taking me with you this weekend. I really had a great time,” she says, blowing on her spoonful to cool it down.
“Everyone adored you. Anytime I spoke with someone, they’d ask me where I found you because you’re so vivacious and personable.”
“Which I don’t understand because I think I’m a bit weird and awkward.”
“Why do you think you’re weird?”
She shrugs a bit then takes another bite. “I just feel like I do odd things. I find silly things funny and like to play around, sometimes too much. I have a horrifically dirty mind.”
“Um, since when are these bad things? There is nothing wrong with playing or laughing, and I always encourage a dirty mind. Hell, I make dad jokes all the time, and I’m not even a dad.”
She leans forward to place her now empty bowl on the coffee table, quickly objecting when I stand to take hers along with mine into the kitchen.
“You’re a guest in my home, Isaac. I’m not letting you pick up after me.”
“And you cooked. My Grams taught me manners, Sawyer. The least I can do is clean up the dishes.” I bend at the waist and kiss her lips. “I’m just going to wash these. I’ll be right back.”
I take a moment in the kitchen to really absorb everything I see, to try to get more of an insight to Sawyer. She has such a unique style in her home. Everything has her personal touch, and nothing feels out of place. It’s crisp and clean, but it doesn’t feel stuffy. There are magnets on the fridge with papers, bills, and pictures attached, and one of those black cat clocks from the 80s by the door that leads to her backyard.
I place the bowls in the dish drainer then look down to see Herbert has decided to make figure eights between my ankles.
“What are you doing down there?”
I scoop him up in my arms and scratch his chin, which he seems to enjoy.
“Are you just checking me out? Making sure I’m good enough for your mama?”
He doesn’t answer, of course, unless you count licking his chops then wiggling his head as an answer.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
I shut off the light in the kitchen and head back into the living room with Herbert in my arms, and when Sawyer sees, she just scoffs.
“I don’t approve of this. He’s stealing you from me.”
She reaches over her head and pulls a blanket from the back of the sofa and tosses it out over her legs.
“What do you say, pal? I’ll put you down now so I can go make out with your mom, and then once she’s fast asleep, I’ll come find you in the cover of night, okay?” I hold him closer to my face, pretending he is answering me and then I put him on the floor. “Thanks. I’ll make it up to you.”
“You only want me for my kitty.” She wiggles her eyebrows then holds up the blanket, offering up the space next to her.
“I am fond of that kitty of yours. I haven’t spent enough time with said kitty though. We’ll have to remedy that, don’t you think?” I sink into the space beside her and tuck her into my side, pulling the blanket around us.
“You can pet my kitty anytime you want to. My kitty is your kitty.”
“Oh yeah?” I pull her legs up into my lap and trail my fingers along her knee.
“There’s only one way to get to know a kitty, right? You have to pet them and stroke them... learn what they like.”
I walk my fingers up her thigh, thankful she changed into shorts and I can feel the warmth of her skin under my touch.
I place kisses along her cheek to her ear. “Can I stay the night and leave from here tomorrow morning?”
She shivers and leans into me even more. “I had hoped you would.”
I take her hips in my hands and lift her up, settling her over my lap.
“I hope you don’t like very much sleep.”
Chapter 19
Isaac
It’s amazing how quickly two and a half months can pass when you find yourself having fun with someone every moment you aren’t working. Thanksgiving zips by and so does Christmas until we settle into the middle of January.
Sawyer and I have gotten closer every single day since the night we got back from Napa. I knew from the beginning she’d be a problem for me. What I didn’t count on was just how much of one, because even now, as I’m wiping down the truck after a call, I can’t hide the look on my face knowing I’m taking her to dinner with Grams tomorrow night. The two most important women in my life spending time together, formally, means everything to me.
“What’s gotten you so chipper today, Black?” Grady asks, with arms crossed over his chest.
I hop down off the side of the truck and toss the towel I was using over my shoulder. “Can’t a guy just be in a good mood?”
Sawyer and I haven’t really been advertising to folks back here in Sunnyville that we are seeing each other. We are just taking the time to get to know each other and just enjoying simply... being together. Being with her is, without a doubt, altering everything about me for the better. That’s for sure.
“You’re usually such a sulky bastard. I’m trying to understand the mood shift happening here.”
“Fuck you, I’m the life of the damn party and you know it.” I fling the towel from my shoulder to his as I walk by. “You all would be lost without me here.”
“You mispronounced happier. We’d be happier without you here.”
“Don’t you have something to be doing rather than out here flirting with me? It’s getting old, man. I appreciate the compliment though.” I pull a clipboard from the wall; checking things off I’ve done so far.
“You’re not exactly my type. You’re missing a few key things that I very much enjoy.”
“Black. You’ve got a visitor.”
Grady and I both turn toward the front at the sound of the chief’s voice over the intercom just as Sawyer comes into view with two to-go boxes in her hands.
“Well, hello there,” Grady says. “I think I have found my answer to why you’re so damn happy. You’re finally getting laid.”
I jokingly shove him back as I walk by him on my way to her.
“Hi,” she says sweetly, holding up the boxes. “I thought I could drop of some food for you? Olivia and I went to dinner so I ordered some for you. I figured I could bring it on my way back home.”
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
She’s wearing a pair of high-waisted jeans and this short blue top that shows off just a sliver of skin between her pants and shirt. Her hair is in a bun on top of her head. She’s radiant like this. Simple and casual, that’s a deadly combination on Sawyer Westbrook.
“That’s very sweet.” I cup her face in my hands and kiss her. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t know the protocol of things like this so I took a chance. Plus, I really wanted to see you in your station wear. I figured food was a good enough excuse.”
I grin, proud she is using terminology I taught her. “You never need an excuse to drop by here.” I kiss her again, but it’s quickly interrupted by hoots and hollers.
“I think we are being watched,” she whispers, when I drop my forehead to hers.
“You’d be correct. I’m sorry in advance for anything they say. They like to fuck with me. Especially Grad—”
“So you must be the beauty that’s helping Isaac here be less of a miserable asshole during the day.” Grady appears by our side immediately, nudging me out of the way and extending his hand to her. “I’m Grady Malone.”
“Sawyer Westbrook.” She shakes his hand with a smile. “And I hope if he’s in a good mood it’s because of me.”
“Ignore him. We all do,” I tell her.
“That’s no way to talk about me to my face.”
“Malone.” She looks down, thinking about something before snapping her fingers in realization. “I met your parents a couple of months ago, on our first date. Lovely people.”
“A couple of months ago?” Grady turns his eyes to me. “This man has been keeping you fr
om us for two months?”
“And I wonder why....” I add in, wrapping my arm around her body, pulling her into my side. “I don’t want you assholes scaring her off. I kinda like her,” I say, then place a kiss on the top of her head.
“We are taking things slow...ish,” she giggles. “One step at a time. He obviously saved our meeting because he knows your personality would just win me over and I needed time to prepare.”
Her teasing sarcasm is apparent and I love every moment.
“That’s what I’m trying to say,” Grady adds. “Really though, it was nice meeting you, Sawyer. I’ll leave you to deal with this guy.”
“It was nice meeting you too, Grady.”
He slaps me on the shoulder then heads back into the kitchen area, leaving us alone in the front of the station.
“I’m really glad you came,” I tell her honestly.
“I’m really glad I came too.”
The past two months with her have been exactly what we both needed. We’ve had time together, time apart, more sex than either of us can handle, all while still wanting more. She’s genuinely fun to be around. This has been... easy.
“Are you ready for tomorrow night?”
“I’m so nervous, Isaac.” She shifts from foot to foot, like she can’t stand still.
“Why? It’s just Grams. You’ve already met her before.”
“Yeah, in a grocery store months ago. Now I’m meeting her officially. It’s scary.” Her eyes go wide with expression.
“She’ll love you.”
“I hope so.” She hands me the to-go boxes. “I thought you’d like to try this. Pastitsio. It’s a Greek dish. It’s incredible.”
“You don’t have to go yet.”
“No, I should. I don’t want to be the girlfriend who hangs out around your job.” She pushes up on her toes to kiss me.
“I like that word, girlfriend, and no one would care if I showed you around for a little bit.”
I can feel her smile against my lips before she kisses me again. “What time will you pick me up tomorrow or I can just meet you somewhere?”
“I’ll come to you then we’ll go get Grams together.”
“Okay.”
I wrap her up in my arms and squeeze her tightly. “Text me later?”
“Of course.” She steps backward a few paces. “Stay safe out there, okay?”
“Always am.”
She gives me a one finger wave then turns on her heel to leave.
Sawyer
Who knew going to see a woman that you’ve already met could be so nerve-wracking? I know how much she means to him. He tells me all the time how special she is.
I want to make a good impression. I don’t want her to dislike me because that would absolutely break my heart.
When I finally settle on an outfit, opting for a long maxi dress with a denim jacket over top, I give myself a look in the mirror and actually feel pretty content with my choice. It’s still me, but simple. Perfect.
As I’m making sure I have everything in my purse I might need, my phone vibrates across my dresser, indicating an incoming call.
“Hello?” I say when I answer.
“I’m pulling onto your street. Are you ready?” Isaac’s smooth voice is even better over the phone. He has a total phone sex voice.
“I am. I’m just making sure I don’t forget anything.”
I give myself a few spritzes of perfume then head out into the front room with my phone still to my ear.
“Do you think I can convince you to come home with me afterward?”
“I mean, if you’re going to twist my arm, I guess I can do that,” I tease.
“Good, because I’ve missed you and I want more of you since I have two days off.”
“I’m all yours.”
“I do enjoy hearing you say that. I’m here. Do you want me to come in? Do you need help?”
“I just have my purse. No need. I’ll be right out.”
I toss my phone into my bag; grab the charger from the wall behind my sofa then head out the door.
When I climb into the passenger side of his truck, he greets me with a kiss.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. I’m nervous so I wanted to make sure I at least looked nice, just in case she isn’t a fan of my personality.”
“You’re nervous for no reason. I promise you.” He turns his head to check behind him before reversing out of my driveway.
God, since when did men’s jawlines get so attractive?
His arm is outstretched around the seat and his hand is casually resting on the back of my neck. He does this a lot lately. He always looks for reasons to touch me, and I love it. I’ve found myself craving this connection more and more. The heat from his hand warms my cool skin. The January chill is in the air now. Sunnyville gets much colder than Los Angeles does this time of year, but nothing like the winters in Tennessee. They may not be arctic-like, but they are very cold and dreary nonetheless. The Bay Area here is more of a mild crispness. I really enjoy it.
“Grams is excited.”
He slides his thumb up and down my neck where his hand still rests. It’s a simple touch, but it ignites a fire in my belly that I’m starting to long for.
“I am too.”
“She’s going to try to embarrass me, so just be ready for that.”
“What kind of grandmother doesn’t try to embarrass her grandkids? I’m looking forward to it. I never got to know my grandparents on either side before they died.”
“I’m sorry,” he says.
“No, there’s no reason to apologize. I never even met them. My mom was never close to her parents and my dad’s lived really far away. It just never came to be. It doesn’t make me sad. It’s just part of my story.”
“I’m sure if you tell Grams that, she’ll take you on as an honorary grandchild.” He laughs.
“She may be too much grandma for me. From what I remember of the interaction we had in the grocery store, she’s an incredibly feisty lady.”
“That is putting it mildly, to say the least.”
The rest of the ride to her small senior citizen community is so easy, filled with conversation and listening to music, I almost forget I’m nervous... until he pulls into a parking spot near the front and kills the engine.
“Shall we?”
“We shall,” I respond, taking a moment to check my makeup in the mirror.
He gets out of the truck, telling me to stay put, before circling around and opening my door for me. I don’t think I’ve opened a door for myself since the day I met him.
“Thank you.”
“You’re going to have to stop thanking me for doing normal things, Sawyer.”
“Men being this chivalrous isn’t a normal occurrence, Isaac, plus I’m grateful. I’ll always say thank you.”
“My Grams and Gramps taught me right.”
The community she lives in is unlike anything I’ve seen. It’s a small, gated area with individual cottages, so the residents can maintain the independence they have while also being monitored, should that be necessary. There’s a community center in the middle that boasts a sign out front saying tonight there will be water exercise in the indoor pool, plus a movie night.
“This is really nice.”
“I tried to get her to move in with me, but she’s stubborn, as I’m sure you guessed. She wanted to be somewhere she could be on her own, but still looked after. She did her own research and decided this is where she wanted to stay.”
“I can think of worse places.”
We follow the sidewalk down until we reach a small, blue cottage with hanging baskets on the porch and a rocking chair just beside the door.
He knocks twice on the door before sliding a key into the lock and pushing the door open.
“Grams?”
“I’m back here! I’ll be out in a second!” she calls from the back of the house.
There’s a small kitchen to the right when you f
irst walk through the doorway and straight ahead, you come to a small living area with all the things you’d expect in a grandmother’s home.
Pictures of her family, beautiful antique furniture, and crocheted blankets folded neatly in a stack with one in process in a wicker basket by the sofa.
“You can sit. Make yourself at home,” he tells me.
“Actually, I want to look at this.”
I move closer the hanging shelf on the far wall by a window that has framed pictures on the top shelf. One of them is obviously very old with its sepia coloring. It’s a photo of a young woman in a beautiful dress, with a scarf around her hair, standing next to a man who very much resembles Isaac in a military uniform.
“That’s my Phillip.”
I look back over my shoulder and see Jean standing there with her hand on her heart.
“Hi, Grams.” Isaac walks over to her and places a kiss on her cheek. “You look nice today.”
“Well, it’s not every day my grandson takes me and his girlfriend out on a date.” She pats his cheek then turns her attention back to me. “It’s lovely to see you again, Sawyer.”
“You too, Mrs. Black.”
“Oh, piss,” she waves me off. “Don’t call me that. Jean is just fine.”
“Jean. Got it.” I turn my eyes back to the photo. “Was Phillip your husband?”
She comes up to my side and pulls the frame down into her hands. “Husband. Best friend. Lover. You name it. He was my everything.”
“He was very handsome.”
“Whew. Don’t I know it? That man made me weak in the knees. When he came home from the war, Lord Jesus. We couldn’t get enough of each other.”
“Okay, okay. Enough of that. I don’t need to get the mental image of you and Grandpa in my head. It’ll bury itself there and never leave,” Isaac says, shaking his head as if he is trying to shake the image away.
