Chapter 13
Yasmine
Double-checking the locks on her doors for the third time since she’d gotten home, Yasmine tried to tell herself that it would be fine. She would be fine. There was no reason to think that Pete James would come back tonight.
He would be stupid to, in fact.
It would make no sense.
Clearly, his wife wasn’t here, and he’d already been picked up by the cops once.
On the other hand, he’d been drunk last night. Sober people did stupid things. Drunk people sometimes did even stupider things. Especially angry, drunk people.
Letting out a long breath, Yasmine gave herself a shake and went to her fridge. She didn’t realize how long she was standing there, staring at the contents, until the fridge beeped at her because the door had been open for too long.
“Fine,” she muttered, slamming it shut. The satisfying thunk made her feel a little better but only for a moment.
She couldn’t remember a single thing that had been inside the fridge, even though she’d been staring at it.
Which made it really hard to decide what to eat for dinner when she couldn’t even remember what was there.
“Dammit.” She yanked the door back open. Nothing really jumped out at her as something she wanted to eat right now.
Sighing, Yasmine shut the door again and straightened up. Hope was standing a few feet away, and the dog wagged her tail, cocking her head to the side as if asking what Yasmine was doing.
“I wish I knew,” she told the dog. “You’re easy. Maybe I should just feed you, even if it’s not quite time yet.”
Maybe if she fed Hope, that would give her time to decide what she was going to eat for dinner. She’d been thinking of some kabab with salad or even rice, but right now, that didn’t sound very appetizing. Yasmine tried not to indulge in junk food too often, but right now that was what she wanted.
As soon as she admitted that to herself, visions of French fries, fried chicken, and pizza danced in her head. Shoot. Now that she’d thought of it, nothing else was going to do.
Sighing, she turned around and leaned back against the fridge, looking down at Hope again.
“I deserve it though, don’t I? After—”
Yasmine shrieked at the loud bang on her door. Her hand was suddenly over her racing heart, her pulse beating rapidly against her fingertips, and she gulped against the pure panic that had flooded her system.
There was no second bang.
It took her a long moment to gather her courage—and calm down enough—to go look out her window. Just in time to see the delivery truck pulling away. It was a box. A box had slammed against her door, and she’d freaked out. Like a pansy.
Hope had known. She hadn’t freaked out at the sound.
Leaning her head against the cool glass, Yasmine closed her eyes for a moment. A heavy weight pressed against her thigh, soft fur brushing her fingers.
“Good girl,” Yasmine murmured.
Okay. New plan. Just for tonight. She was clearly jumpy, and she didn’t like it.
Sarah had offered up her home. She would still be alone tonight, so it wasn’t like she was a total wimp, but she wouldn’t be here where Pete James could find her.
Zeus had sent her an email with security system suggestions.
She would get one of those installed this weekend, then she wouldn’t be so freaked out.
She’d picked up a doorbell camera on the way home, but she needed to figure out how to get it installed, and right now, she wasn’t sure she was in a position to do anything with technology.
The doorbell wouldn’t do much, but it might make her feel a little better.
If only in part because the next time someone approached her door, she’d know they were coming and who they were.
Still. Just for tonight, she didn’t have to be here, and she would feel better being somewhere else.
Grabbing her phone, she sent a quick text to Zeus.
Yasmine
Hey, did Sarah say anything to you about me picking up the key to her house?
She was on her way back to her bedroom to pack a bag when her phone buzzed with his response.
Zeus
Yes, she did. Did you want it for tonight?
Yasmine
Yes, please.
She hesitated a moment before sending a follow-up text. It wasn’t as though she thought he needed an explanation, but she wanted to give him one, anyway.
Yasmine
I’m a bit freaked out being home alone, even with Hope. I just need a good night’s sleep and one of those security systems, and I’ll be fine again.
I did buy a doorbell camera today, but I am not up to installing it right now, and I just want to get out of here for the night.
Zeus
Makes sense. Just text me when you get here, and I’ll bring the key over.
Yasmine
Thank you. I’ll let you know when I’m there!
That was super sweet of him to offer since he lived right next door. She could easily go to his place. Hmm. Was he being sweet, or did he just not want her in his place?
“Or maybe I’m reading too much into everything,” she told Hope, who hopped up onto Yasmine’s bed and wagged her tail in response. As if she had any idea what Yasmine was talking about. Still, Yasmine smiled and paused to give Hope a quick pet.
It didn’t take her long to pack her bag; then she gathered all of Hope’s things and put them in her car, along with the dog. Hope panted happily in the back seat. Yasmine wondered if Hope knew she was going home.
Silly question. Of course, she didn’t. But she seemed relaxed, and that was good enough for Yasmine. Hopefully, being home without Sarah wouldn’t stress her out too badly. If it did, Yasmine would bring her back—security system or no security system.
But she had to admit, just being on the road and heading toward Sarah’s house, where Zeus would be right next door, she immediately felt better.
Zeus
Keeping one eye out his window for the little blue car that Yas drove, Zeus straightened up his living room.
Not because Yas was going to be next door, and he thought she was going to see it.
And not because he wanted to see the second she drove up.
She’d already said she would text him when she did.
He was just… keeping busy. And the living room needed a little straightening.
Except when he ran out of things to put away, he said fuck it, admitted to himself he wanted to see when she pulled up, and sat down in a chair that gave him a good view of Sarah’s driveway. Zeus tried not to lie to himself, and he was looking forward to seeing her again.
Might as well admit it, because denial wasn’t going to make it less true.
Tiger came over and rested his head on Zeus’ knee, toy in his mouth, big brown eyes begging to play.
“Okay, buddy.” Zeus chuckled as he wrestled the toy free from Tiger’s teeth.
The dog might want to play, but that didn’t mean he was going to make it easy.
Getting the toy away from him was as much a part of the game as throwing it for Tiger to fetch.
No matter what Zeus did, he’d never been able to train Tiger to “drop it”, so eventually he’d accepted that the dog just wanted to battle over the toy before it was thrown for him again.
A minute later, he managed to get the toy out of Tiger’s grip.
The chair he was seated in had a good view down the hallway, so it was easy to throw the stuffed fish, then look back out the front window to see if Yas’ car had appeared yet.
Tiger came galloping back down the hall, toy clenched tightly in his jaws, and the process started all over again.
After the third time throwing the fish, Zeus looked up and saw blue at the same time his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He jumped to his feet.
Tiger bounced upward as well, obviously thinking they were playing a new game.
“Sorry, buddy,” Zeus said, giving the dog’s head a quick pet. “I’ve gotta go next door. I’ll be back.”
He grabbed the “Fuck the Patriarchy” keyring with Sarah’s keys on it from the holder beside his door on his way out front. As he came down his walk, he could see Yas getting Hope out of the backseat of her car.
Today, she looked like she’d come straight from work in navy blue pants, matching navy blue shoes, and a white blouse with billowy sleeves that cinched tight at her wrists.
Delicate gold earrings hung from her ears, visible thanks to her hair being pulled back into a navy-and-gold hair clip.
When she straightened and turned toward him, he could see a matching gold necklace around her neck, peeking through the open collar of her blouse.
She looked like she’d just stepped off the pages of a magazine about successful businesswomen.
It was fucking hot.
As was the bright smile that spread across her lips when she caught sight of him.
“Hey, Yas. I come bearing keys,” he said, holding them out in front of him as he walked up to her.
“Thank you.” Yas held Hope’s leash in one hand, holding the other out to accept the key ring. Gratitude and relief showed in her eyes, but he could also see how tired she was.
“Let me help you get your things inside.”
“Well, I won’t say no to that, mostly because Hope has twice as much stuff as I do. Which is not normal for me when it comes to packing; usually, I have the most,” she said with a smile, walking around to the trunk to pop it open.
Zeus reached in and pulled out her suitcase, which was pretty heavy for a weekend stay. He knew he tended to pack light, though. Holding it in one hand, he grabbed Hope’s food container in the other, leaving Yas to carry Hope’s bed, toys, and food and water dish.
“Oh, I can get my bag. It’s kind of heavy,” Yas said, reaching for it.
Zeus stepped back, nodding at what was left in the trunk.
“You can get that stuff. I’ve got the bag.”
The corner of her mouth quirked, but she nodded her head and gathered up Hope’s things.
She could easily carry them with one arm, allowing her to hit the button that closed the trunk with the hand holding Hope’s leash.
She gave him a little look out of the corner of her eye before going in front of him up the walk.
Which, of course, meant he ended up checking out how cute her butt looked in those work pants. There was something about a woman who was all put-together that made him want to get her messy for him. He would love to see Yas messy. Take down her hair. Peel off all those prim clothes.
Okay, stop fantasizing about the woman you just met. You don’t even know if she’s interested in you.
A man could hope, though.
Zeus followed her into Sarah’s and put Hope’s stuff down next to the couch.
“Do you know where the guest bedroom is?”
Yas was unclipping Hope’s leash. The dog’s tail was wagging a mile a minute, and she was practically prancing in place. The moment she was off the leash, she darted away, and Yas straightened up, watching her with concern.
“Oh, dear… I hope she doesn’t overexert herself.” Yas bit down on her lower lip. They could hear Hope running from room to room.
“She’ll calm down once she realizes Sarah’s not here,” Zeus reassured her. At least, he hoped she did. “Did you get her surgery scheduled?”
“Yeah, it’s for next Wednesday. So, she’ll have a couple of days with Sarah after Sarah gets home before she goes in.” Yas turned to him. “Are you still up for going halfsies?” Her tone was teasing, giving him an out if he wanted it. Which he didn’t.
“Absolutely.” No doubt in his mind. Hope darted by them and headed for the stairs.
Since Yas had gotten distracted and hadn’t answered his question, he decided to take the lead.
Especially since he wanted to double-check that Hope really was going to calm down.
“Come on, I’ll show you where the guest bedroom is. ”
“Okay, thank you.” Yas followed him as he headed for the stairs.
Poor Hope had already been in Sarah’s room, and she ran into the guest room ahead of Zeus.
She seemed to have figured out that Sarah wasn’t there because she was moving more slowly.
That or she’d just tired herself out. It was a good thing she was getting in for the surgery sooner rather than later.
“Here you go,” he said, walking into the guest bedroom. Hope hopped up on the bed and looked at him dolefully, as if he was hiding Sarah from her. “Sorry, sweetie, Sarah’s not home yet. But you and Yas will have a good time here tonight.” He put the suitcase down near the foot of the bed.
“You know, I think you’re the only person who has ever called me Yas,” Yas said from the doorway, a small smile playing on her lips.
“I can stop if you want. Do you prefer Yasmine?”
Yasmine was who she looked like, all prim and perfect without a single hair out of place.
If he was being honest, he might have called her Yas to make himself appear less threatening and friendly at first, but now he liked it because in his head, ‘Yas’ was the stripped-down, messy version of her.
The one who wouldn’t have perfectly done hair, whose makeup was smeared—all thanks to him.
Was it his imagination, or was she just as interested in him as he was in her?
“I think I kind of like it, actually,” she admitted.
Zeus felt his chest swell. That felt like a win.
“If anyone had asked to call me that, I would have told them no, but for some reason, I don’t hate it from you.”
Okay, well, partial win. He’d take “I don’t hate it”, and maybe he’d even eventually be able to turn it into something she liked.
“Then I’ll keep it up, but let me know if you ever want me to stop.” He glanced around the room. Everything was in order, and his presence wasn’t really needed here anymore, but he didn’t actually want to leave. “So, any plans for tonight?”
“After freaking out at home, I decided I’d order in some junk food, put on some sweatpants and a face mask, and have a mini-spa night while watching a chick flick. Why, wanna join me?” She grinned at him, obviously teasing.
But truthfully, that didn’t sound at all bad to Zeus.
Especially the part about her getting casual in front of him.
They may have only just met a few days ago, but he got the impression she didn’t get into sweatpants in front of too many people.
Plus, Jensen’s words about women liking chick flicks floated through his head.
It was working for Jensen with Jennifer, and Zeus didn’t find them unenjoyable when he’d watched them in the past.
Granted, none of his girlfriends had ever tried to have a mini-spa night with him, but he wasn’t opposed to the idea.
“Sure, sounds good,” he said, and had the satisfaction of watching her mouth drop open in surprise. “Can I bring Tiger over, too?”