42. Nate
FORTY-TWO
NATE
Seeing Rosy’s car, I pull my van to a stop beside it. I’m undecided whether I should’ve come or not. The others said she needed space. But how much? For how long? She didn’t come to the gym last night or to dinner. Fucking hated it.
What does “space” even mean? I’ll follow her but stay a few steps behind; that’s enough space.
As I walk through the wooden gate, I pause, unsure where to look for her. Movement catches my eye.
Rosy.
She steps out from a building on my left, a striped cat trailing her. They all seem to flock to her. They don’t have to give her space. I walk towards her, and her head turns. Her body’s relaxed, and her smile’s easy and bright as she waits for me to reach her.
Is she…not angry anymore? Fuck, I don’t know if I need to proceed with caution or if she’s genuinely forgiven us for the other night.
It’s obvious I’m the only one on edge right now.
“For you.” I thrust a bag at her, then wait a painful moment as she stares at me. The skin around her eyes tightens, and doubt kicks in.
Did I not do it right? Gifts always worked in the past when my mother was disappointed. Maybe not ideal to compare Rosy to someone I cut out of my life years ago.
Fuck. Should I have done something else?
Just as I start to pull my arm back, she grasps my wrist. Her hand barely fits around it. She’s small, fragile in comparison. But she’s the one who has me at her feet, at her back, or wherever the fuck she wants me. Just as long as she doesn’t ask me to leave.
Unable to hold it in anymore, words come rushing out. “Dinner Thursday. I’m—fuck. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to push you or piss you off. Just hard not to care…”
Her hand, warm and small, settles on my other arm, and I pause, lost mid-sentence. She’s so in my fucking head; I never want her to leave.
“It’s okay, Nate. I’m sorry for snapping at you all, because I know you were just trying to look out for me. I do really appreciate it. I guess I’m not used to it.”
Her hand slides down, and she links her fingers with mine. It takes a minute for me to tear my gaze from them and look back up at her face, a face I dream about. Think about.
“I just…this job is important, Nate. So when Max risked that, I panicked. I need you all to trust that I can handle this. It’s my decision to work there.”
Wide grey eyes stare into mine, and her words slice at the organ behind my ribs. Fucking hurts, because I can understand. She wants me to understand and trust that she knows what’s best for herself.
But…what if I know better?
There should never be a world where someone can treat her like shit, and she has to tolerate it. She deserves more than the rest of the world, even if she doesn’t believe it.
“Okay.” It feels hard to say, because I don’t trust other people with her. Too many people have hurt Rosy, and I fucking hate it. But she needs this from me, so I’m going to give her what she asks.
For now.
“Thank you,” she whispers, rising to her tiptoes.
I lean down to meet her, receiving her soft kiss. Unable to let her go just yet, I groan into her mouth, nipping at her lips until she gasps. As soon as the sound leaves her mouth, I dive in with my tongue, swiping and licking my way in.
A loud snort interrupts us, pulling Rosy’s attention away from me. Then she laughs. It’s a bright, fucking perfect sound.
“I’m not apologising, Squid. If you don’t like it, you can look the other way. You have plenty of field space to stand anywhere else,” she tells the stumpy black-and-white cow.
Squid responds with a tongue swipe across his very wet nose.
“Fine, you can have a kiss too,” she says, striding over and planting a loud one on his face.
Not sure I like that she kisses them too. Now I have to share her with the other guys, the cat, and cows too.
“What do you think, Squid? Should we open his gift?”
Insecurity creeps back in. What if I didn’t pick the right thing? Maybe it’s not enough?
The bag rustles as she rummages through it.
“Nate!” She gasps. “They’re perfect! I love them.” She tugs my gift from the bag, holding the long, fluffy socks up and inspecting them closer. They’re blue, with hairy-looking orange cows on them. “I can’t believe you got me these. It’s so thoughtful.”
She wraps her arms around my torso. My arms wind around her, holding her even closer, and my chin rests on top of her head. Every inch of her body is pressed against mine, soft and sexy. “I know you like socks. Never seen you in a plain pair, so I got those.”
She tilts her head, chin resting on my chest as she smiles up at me. “Who knew you’re a gift giver? It’s honestly the best thing someone’s ever given me.”
“I know something better I could give you.” One of my hands drops, squeezing the round curve of her backside.
She laughs again, and it vibrates through me. Fuck, I love it.
“Nate! I’ve got work to do, so you can either help or watch.”
“Not watching you work,” I huff. “Tell me what you need doing.”