Chapter 8
“What’s so important that you had to wake me up on a Saturday morning and force me to drag my ass out into the cold?” Amy asked grumpily when Luke opened the door.
He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost noon, Ames. Why were you still in bed?”
She kicked off her boots and hung her jacket in the closet. “Siblings for twenty-eight years, and you still don’t know I’m not a morning person? You suck as a brother.”
She followed him into the kitchen, and he handed her a coffee. “I don’t suck that much. I know you need a coffee before you resemble a human being.”
“Bite me.” She sipped at the coffee. “Seriously, what’s wrong?”
“There isn’t anything wrong,” he said. “I need your help with something.”
“What?” She asked. “And are you going to make me pancakes or let me starve?”
“I’ll make you pancakes. Just listen to me for a minute, would you?”
She wrinkled her nose at him before drinking more coffee. “Fine, but you should know I’m on the edge of hangry over here.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” He sat next to her at the island. “Jane is upstairs sleeping.”
“Oh yeah?” She took another sip of coffee.
“Why are you not surprised by that?” he asked.
“I see the way you look at her. Although, sleeping with your PA is not the wisest idea, Lukie.”
He glared at her. “I’m not sleeping with her, Ames.”
“Really?” She looked surprised, and he stood and paced the kitchen.
“Do you think I’m that kind of guy? She’s starving to death, she fainted and spent most of the day in the hospital yesterday, but you think I brought her back to my place for sex?”
Don’t act so sanctimonious, buddy. You would have fucked her last night if she had given even the slightest indication that she wanted it.
He ignored his inner voice as Amy gave him an apologetic look. “Sorry, honey.”
“Apology accepted,” he grumped. “And what do you mean by the way I look at her?”
“Nothing,” she said. “So, Jane is upstairs sleeping in your bed.”
He gave her a look of exasperation. “She’s sleeping in the guest room.”
She grinned at him, and he rolled his eyes. “After the hospital discharged her, I gave her a ride home. Her heat and electricity are cut off, and she has no food. I mean, nothing, Ames. Unless you count the rat living in her cupboards.”
Amy shuddered all over. “There was a rat?”
He nodded. “A big one.”
“Oh God.” Amy paled, and he squeezed her shoulder. She was terrified of rats.
“I made her come home with me. She couldn’t stay at her apartment. It was freezing, and the doctor told me that she was malnourished and needed to eat more. I couldn’t leave her there.”
“She doesn’t have any family she can stay with?” Amy asked.
He shook his head. “She grew up in foster care. She has a foster mom that she’s close to, but the woman lives in a care home after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.”
“God, that poor girl,” Amy said.
“It’s my fault, Amy.”
“What’s your fault?”
“That she doesn’t have heat or electricity or food. I made that stupid comment about her clothes, so she bought Dawson brand clothing with her last paycheque instead of paying her bills and buying groceries.”
“Well, I bet you feel like the biggest horse’s ass in the world right now,” Amy said.
“Now you know why I brought her back here,” he said.
“Do I, though?” she asked cryptically.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. So, now what? You’ll let her live with you until she gets her heat and electricity turned back on?”
He shook his head. “She can’t go back to that apartment. It’s in the Badlands, and the lock on her door is…pitiful. It’s not safe for her there, Amy. I can’t let her go back even if she does get her heat and electricity turned on.”
“Guess you found yourself a roommate then,” Amy said. “That’ll be awkward when the other employees find out your PA is living with you.”
“Actually,” he said, “this is the part where I need your help. You have a spare room at your place.”
“You want me to invite Jane to live with me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Sure.”
He blinked at her. “Just like that?”
“Just like that, Lukie,” Amy said.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, how about those pancakes you promised?”
* * *
The smellof pancakes woke her. Her stomach grumbled, and Jane sat up in bed. She stared at the strange room before remembering where she was. She checked her phone, dismayed to see that it was after noon and hurried to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth, dressed, and called the nursing home.
“Hi, Bev. It’s Jane. How is Mama J doing today?”
“Hi, Jane. Josephine’s having another bad day, I’m afraid,” Bev said. “She was restless through the night and became quite agitated this morning.”
Guilt flooded through Jane. “I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Jane,” Bev said, “why don’t you take the weekend off? We sedated Josephine, and she’s sleeping right now. I don’t think she’ll remember you today or tomorrow.”
Jane chewed on her bottom lip. “Maybe if I drop by, it’ll help her remember.”
“Has it in the past?” Bev said.
“No, but - ”
“We all know how much you love her, but, sweetie, you need to take care of yourself as well. You’ve been looking pale lately.”
“I don’t want to leave her alone,” Jane said.
“You’re not. We’re here, and you know we care about her. Permit yourself to live your own life for a couple of days, okay? I’ll leave a note for Tanya to call you if Josephine improves. All right?”
“Okay,” Jane said. “Will you tell her I love her, though?”
“Of course I will. If you don’t hear from Tanya tonight, call tomorrow.”
“I will. Thanks, Bev.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie.”
Jane stuck her phone into her pocket and checked her hair in the bathroom mirror. It had dried fuzzy while she was sleeping, and she wet her hands and tried to smooth it down. She applied a light layer of makeup to hide the dark circles under her eyes. She stared at the blush and her eye shadow, debating whether to fancy herself up a little more.
She snorted in disgust. What did it matter what she looked like? Her boss wasn’t attracted to her. She could have all the sexual fantasies about him that she wanted, but he would never be attracted to someone as pathetic as her. Instead of worrying about what she looked like, she needed to worry about how she would survive the rest of the weekend without heat or food.
She cringed at the thought of returning to her apartment – Jesus, she’d never sleep again knowing a rat was living with her – but she didn’t have a choice. Her stomach growled, and she patted it soothingly. She would stuff herself full of pancakes this morning and try to slip two or three into her purse when Luke wasn’t looking. That would get her through today. As for tomorrow and Monday, she’d have to suck it up and drink lots of water. She could buy food after she got her tips on Monday night.
What if Jeremy is still pissed at you and cancels your shift on Monday too? Then what, Janie?
He wouldn’t do that. If he did, well, there was always the rat living in her cupboard.
The thought of trying to capture, kill, and eat a rat brought on only a mild sense of repulsion, and she fought back the sudden wave of tears. Was this what she was reduced to now? Seriously considering trying to catch a rat and eat it? She was so fucked up it wasn’t funny.
It won’t come to that, Janie. Now, go downstairs and enjoy the food and the heat before you have to go back to your shitty apartment, okay?
She smoothed her hair again before leaving the bedroom. She hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. “Good morning, Luke. I’m sorry I slept so - ”
She stared in surprise at Amy. Luke’s sister gave her a cheerful grin. “Hi, Jane.”
“Um, hi, Amy.” Jane stood awkwardly in the doorway.
Amy patted the stool next to her. “Sit down and have some pancakes with me.”
Jane sat beside her as Luke put a plate with two pancakes in front of her. “How did you sleep, Jane?”
“Uh, very well. The bed in the guest room is very comfortable.”
“Good. Would you like a coffee?”
“Yes, please. I can get it, though.”
He shook his head. “I’ll grab it. Eat some pancakes.”
Amy passed the syrup and the butter to her. “Eat up, Jane. My brother makes amazing pancakes.”
Amy popped a forkful of pancakes into her mouth as Jane poured syrup over her pancakes before taking a bite. They were light, fluffy, and mouth-wateringly good, and she shoved a couple more bites into her mouth.
Amy grinned at her. “See, told you.”
Luke set a cup of coffee in front of Jane and added another stack of pancakes to the plate in the middle of the table before sitting across from them. He sipped at his cup of coffee as Amy said, “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, much better,” Jane said.
“Good. Luke told me you were having problems with your heat and electricity at your place.”
“Yes.” Jane gave Luke a grateful look. “He offered to let me stay at his place last night. It was very nice of him.”
“That’s my big brother – the nicest guy in town,” Amy said.
Luke gave her a mock scowl, and Amy laughed. “Sometimes, anyway.” She finished her pancakes and sat back with a sigh. “God, those were so good, Luke. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Luke reached across the table and transferred another pancake to Jane’s plate. “Have some more.”
“Thank you,” Jane said.
“So,” Amy said, “Luke also told me you live in the Badlands.”
“I do.”
“Well, that’s horrifying.”
Jane couldn’t help but grin. “It’s not as bad as everyone thinks it is.”
“Says the woman whose roommate is a giant rat,” Luke muttered.
Amy shuddered. “I would have screamed and wet my pants if I opened a cupboard and found a rat in it.”
Jane shrugged. “I’ll pick up a trap today.”
“A trap isn’t going to work,” Luke said solemnly. “A sledgehammer might stop it long enough for you to make it to the fire escape.”
Jane burst into laughter. “Okay, now you’re exaggerating.”
“I am not,” Luke said. “You didn’t actually see it, remember? I’m lucky it didn’t drag me into the cupboard.”
“It sounds like you need a new place to live,” Amy said.
Jane pushed her plate away. It still had half a pancake on it, and she nodded when Luke held his fork over the pancake and gave her a questioning look. He stabbed it with his fork and transferred it to his plate. He finished it as she said, “I’m good where I am.”
“Really? With no heat or electricity and a giant dirty rat living in your kitchen?” Amy said.
“I’ll get it all sorted out,” Jane said with a cheerfulness she didn’t feel. Desperate to change the subject, she said, “So, do you have fun plans for the weekend?”
“A little bit of work, family dinner tomorrow night, and working on my ad for a roommate.”
“You’re looking for a roommate?” Jane said.
“I am. Just between you and me, I hate the process. You would not believe the weirdos that apply. I’m dreading it, to be honest.”
Amy paused and gave Jane a thoughtful look. “Unless I found someone I knew who was looking for a new place to live.”
Jane didn’t reply, and Amy nudged her. “Well, what do you say?”
“About what?” Jane gave her a bewildered look.
“About moving in with me.”
“I – what – no, I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” Amy asked. “You need a new place to live, and I need a roommate. It’s a win-win.”
“Why do you need a roommate?” Jane asked. “I know it isn’t because of the cost of living.”
“I hate living by myself,” Amy said. “I’m a social butterfly. Come on, Jane. Live with me. My house is way nicer than your apartment, and the rent is cheaper, too. I guarantee it.”
Jane stared into her coffee. She had just been handed the answer to all her problems. Why the hell was she hesitating?
“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I’ll be your roommate.”
Amy gave her a hard and enthusiastic hug. “That’s wonderful! Lukie, I have to go into the office this afternoon, but you’ll help Jane move her stuff to my place, won’t you?”
“That’s fine,” Jane said. “I don’t have very much stuff. I can do it myself.”
“Are you going to move it on the bus?” Luke said with a raised eyebrow.
“It’s only clothes and a few personal items,” she mumbled.
“Then it won’t take very long for us to move you into Amy’s place,” he said. “Finish your coffee, and I’ll drive you to your apartment so you can pack up the rest of your things.”
“If you’re sure,” she said.
“Positive,” he said.
* * *
“Morning.”Amy wandered into the kitchen. It was nearly eleven on Sunday morning, and she laughed when Jane glanced at the clock. “I’m not a morning person. How did you sleep?”
“Really well,” Jane said. “The bed is very comfortable.”
“Good. Feel free to make any changes to your bedroom and bathroom. If you want a different paint colour or different furniture, go for it. You do you.”
“Amy, thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
“You’re helping me out, remember?” Amy poured herself a cup of coffee. She sat down and sipped at the coffee as Jane joined her.
“You have a lovely home,” Jane said.
“Thanks,” Amy said. “Oh, and help yourself to whatever food you want. We’ll figure out grocery splitting later. What are your plans for today?”
“I don’t have any,” Jane said. She’d called the nursing home this morning, but Mama J was still confused and even more combative today. “How about you?”
“I’m pampering myself and getting my nails and hair done.” Amy eyed Jane’s hair. “You should come with me.”
“Oh, that’s nice of you, but I think I’ll pass.”
Earlier this morning, she’d reworked her budget. Living with Amy meant she had more disposable income, but she couldn’t waste that income on things like getting her hair done. She didn’t even have to work at the club anymore, but she wouldn’t quit. She would need that extra money if living here didn’t work out. For now, she would put the money from the club into her savings account. A nest egg would come in handy in case things went sour.
“C’mon, it’ll be fun,” Amy said. “It’s my treat.”
“No, definitely not,” Jane said. “You don’t need to spend your money on me.”
“Pfft,” Amy said. “I’ve got more money than I know what to do with. I like spoiling my friends. Say yes, Jane.”
“Amy, I…”
She was torn between her desire to do something fun and her shame at being a charity case. She’d never had a manicure in her life, and the only reason her hair was so long was because she hadn’t gone to a hairstylist in years.
“You know you want to,” Amy wheedled. “Please?”
“Okay, if you’re sure?” Jane said.
“I’m positive.” Amy took another few sips of coffee before standing. I’m going to have a quick shower, and then I’ll text Manuel and tell him there will be two of us at the salon today.
She squeezed Jane’s arm. “This will be fun. I promise.”
* * *
“Amy,I can’t go with you,” Jane protested.
“Sure you can. Besides, I don’t have time to drop you off at home.”
“There’s a bus stop right there. Pull over, and I’ll take the bus home.”
“It’s cold, and you’re not even wearing a hat and gloves,” Amy said. “You’ll turn into a popsicle waiting for the bus.”
“I can’t go to your family dinner,” Jane said.
“Why not?”
“Because your parents aren’t expecting me, and it’s a family dinner.”
Amy turned right and drove down a tree-lined street with craftsman-style houses. “We always have random people at the family dinners. My mom believes the more, the merrier. Stop worrying, Jane. Besides, I want you to meet my mom. She’s going to love you.”
Jane thought that was odd to say, but she stayed quiet as Amy made a few more turns until she pulled into a driveway and shut off the car. Like the others in the neighbourhood, her parents’ home was a craftsman style.
“Oh, good. Luke’s here already,” Amy said. “I wanted to talk to him about some work stuff. You’ll have to distract Mom while I do. She has a strict ‘no work talk during family time’ rule.”
Jane’s stomach twisted nervously, and she self-consciously touched her hair. Manuel had taken one look at her hair and nearly fell over in his hurry to get her into the salon chair. She had thought she’d only get it cut, but he and Amy had also insisted on a colour. Even she could admit that the dark brown with red highlights was a much better look for her than her natural mousey brown. Manuel had cut three inches from her hair, adding a few layers to frame her face until it brushed her shoulders. She loved how light and bouncy it felt but wondered if Luke would like it.
“Your hair looks great, Janie,” Amy said as they climbed out of the car. “I still can’t believe you’ve never had a manicure or pedicure. It’s one of life’s greatest pleasures.”
“I did enjoy it very much.” Jane followed Amy up the steps to the porch.
Amy opened the door, and they stepped into the narrow hallway. They hung their coats in the closet as a blonde-haired woman popped into the hallway. Amy was the spitting image of her, and she gave the woman a hard hug.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. How was your day?”
“It was good. Mom, I’d like to introduce you to Jane. She’s my new roommate. Jane, this is my mom, Clara.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Jane said as Clara shook her hand and smiled warmly.
“Lovely to meet you as well. How do you know Amy?”
“Oh, well, I…”
Jane trailed off as Clara gave her a curious look.
“She works at the company,” Amy said.
“Wonderful. What do you do there, Jane?”
“She’s Luke’s PA,” Amy said.
“Delightful,” Clara said.
“Jane and I pampered ourselves this afternoon, and I told her she should come for dinner.” Amy pulled off her boots.
“Of course. The more the merrier,” Clara said. “Your father and brother are in the living room. Take Jane in there, and I’ll bring you a cup of tea to warm you up. Do you like tea, Jane?”
“I do. Thank you,” Jane said. She followed Amy to the living room, biting at her bottom lip. She wished she had worn something a little more flattering than jeans and a T-shirt. She smoothed her hand over her hair as they walked into the room. Luke sat on a small loveseat with a beer in his hand and didn’t look up from the football game he was watching on TV.
“Hi, Dad.” Amy leaned down and kissed the cheek of the grey-haired man sitting in the recliner.
“Hi, honey.”
“Dad, this is my friend and new roommate, Jane. Jane, this is my dad, Gary.”
Amy’s dad tore his gaze from the TV and smiled at her. “Hi, Jane. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Jane murmured.
“Lukie? What’s wrong?” Amy asked.
Jane could feel a hot blush rising in her cheeks when Luke studied her hair with a strange look.
“Nothing,” he said hoarsely. “Uh, hi, Jane.”
“Hi, Luke.” She started for the armchair that was in the corner. Amy brushed past and plopped her curvy body into it before grinning at her.
“There’s a spot next to Luke, Janie.”
Feeling more self-conscious than ever, Jane sat next to Luke. The loveseat was small, and she smiled nervously at Luke when her arm brushed his.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” he muttered before shifting away. He stared at the TV and took another large swallow of beer as Amy watched them with bright interest.
“How was your day, Ames?” her father asked.
“Good. Jane and I went to Manuel’s and had pedicures and manicures. We also got our hair done. What do you think?” She smoothed her hand over her blonde hair.
Her father smiled at her. “You look great.”
“Thanks. Janie got a cut and colour. It looks fantastic on her. Don’t you think, Luke?”
He didn’t reply, and Jane stared at her lap as Amy said, “Luke? What do you think of Jane’s hair?”
He cleared his throat and, without looking away from the TV, said, “It looks nice.”
“Nice?” Amy rolled her eyes. “It looks amazing.”
Jane pulled at a loose thread on her jeans. Obviously, Luke hated her hair, but why did that bother her so much? What did she care if her boss liked her hair or not? Luke shifted again on the loveseat. He was nearly hanging over the arm at this point, and she tried not to take it personally. Her boss was very kind to her and helped her when she needed it. But that didn’t mean he liked her or they were friends. In fact, keeping a strictly professional relationship with him was very important. She needed to keep her job. Mama J needed her to keep her job. It was time to toss her dumb crush on him out the damn window and definitely stop thinking about how he might look naked. That was only asking for trouble.
* * *
Jane washedher hands and peered at herself in the mirror over the bathroom sink. She touched her hair, thrilled again at how soft and smooth it was, before leaving the bathroom.
It didn’t matter that Luke didn’t like her hair, she told herself. What mattered was that she liked it. It was ridiculous even to wonder if he liked it.
Lost in her thoughts, she nearly ran into the very man she couldn’t stop thinking about. She caught herself before she smacked into his broad chest and smiled at him.
“Sorry, I was woolgathering.”
“That’s fine.” He stood in the middle of the hallway with his big body blocking her path as he stared again at her hair.
She touched the ends of her hair. “So, your mom is a great cook.”
“She taught me everything I know,” he said with a ghost of a smile.
She chewed on her bottom lip. Luke hadn’t spoken two words to her all evening, and despite sitting across from her at the table during dinner, he hadn’t looked at her either.
“I’m sorry for intruding on your family dinner,” she blurted out. “I told Amy I shouldn’t come, but she insisted. It won’t happen again.”
He didn’t reply. Jane stared at his chest in awkward silence. She was close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body, and she stifled her urge to lean against him. She was always so cold. Luke could easily warm her up.
Yes, he could. In more ways than one, her mind whispered slyly. Why don’t you ask him to show you his childhood bedroom? A little slap and tickle would warm you up.
She shot that thought down with grim determination. God, what was wrong with her? Luke didn’t like her. Hell, his behaviour tonight indicated he didn’t want to be in the same room as her.
“I won’t be in the office for the next couple of weeks,” he said.
“I know,” she said.
“I’m on a business trip to Paris,” he said.
“Yes, I remember,” she said, trying not to smile. “I booked your flights and hotel for you.”
“Right,” he said. “We’re thinking of going international with the clothing line, and I’m meeting with a couple of potential investors.”
This time, she couldn’t stop the smile. “Yes, I typed the proposal for you.”
“Right,” he mumbled.
Luke was acting so strange. She had never seen him this flummoxed, and it was a little adorable. As a flush rose on his cheeks, she said, “Have you been to Paris before?”
He nodded. “A few times.”
“Oh. Two weeks seems like a long business trip.”
“I’m also taking a week”s vacation,” he said. “Paris is one of my favourite places, so…”
She smiled at him. “Good for you. It’s been so busy lately that you deserve a holiday.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll email you any work stuff I need done. Mark will cover for me while I’m gone, but I will be available by email and text even when I’m on vacation.”
“Okay.”
He didn’t say anything else, and she gave him another awkward smile before trying to scoot past him. His hand closed over her arm, sending a jolt of adrenaline through her veins.
“I like your hair,” he said in a low voice.
“Thank you,” she whispered as pleasure pooled in her belly.
She stood frozen when he threaded his fingers through her hair. “It looks beautiful.”
She couldn’t reply. The heat of Luke’s hand on her arm and the gentle tug of his fingers in her hair had rendered her speechless. She stared at him as he stroked her hair.
“So soft,” he murmured. He cupped her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Your skin is like velvet. Did you know that, Jane?”
She shook her head, and he groaned when his thumb brushed across her mouth. He bent his head until his mouth was hovering over hers.
“Luke, please,” she whispered.
“Please, what, Jane?”
“Please kiss - ”
“There you two are. Dessert is ready, and Mom…oh, oops.”
Luke let go of her so quickly that she staggered on her feet. He cursed under his breath and grabbed her arm as Amy grinned at them.
“Sorry to interrupt your moment.”
“You weren’t interrupting a moment,” Luke said. “I was just telling Jane I would be gone from the office.”
“Right,” Amy said. “Well, dessert is ready. Unless you two have something else in mind for dessert? I can tell Mom there was a work emergency so that you can slip out.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Luke retorted as he dropped Jane’s arm. He pushed past Amy and stalked down the hallway. When he was gone, Amy wiggled her eyebrows at Jane.
“So, what’s new?”
“Nothing,” Jane said.
“Didn’t look like nothing,” Amy said.
“I – nothing happened,” Jane said.
“Because I interrupted you?”
“No, because he’s my boss, and it’s very inappropriate.” Jane was stupidly close to tears.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry,” Amy said. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You haven’t.”
“We don’t have to stay for dessert.”
Jane shook her head. “No, that’s fine. I don’t want to make you leave early.”
“I don’t mind,” Amy said.
“It’s fine, really.” She followed Amy down the hall and toward the kitchen. Amy stopped abruptly in the doorway, and Jane nearly ran into her back. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Amy said.
Jane peered around her. Her old boss, Mark, was being hugged by Amy’s mother. He studiously avoided looking at Amy as Clara said, “Sit down, Mark. You’re just in time for dessert.”
Mark sat next to Luke, who was staring at the table. An awkward silence descended, and Clara said, “Amy, honey, look who joined us.”
“I see him.” Amy’s sunny disposition had disappeared, and she continued to stand in the doorway. “Hello, Mark.”
“Hi, Amy,” Mark replied.
Clara frowned at her. “Honey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Well, sit down and have dessert with us.”
“I’m full,” Amy said. “Jane, would you mind if we left? I have a headache.”
She gave Jane an almost desperate look, and Jane shook her head. “No, of course not. Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Dawson, it was delicious.”
“You’re welcome, dear. Amy, are you sure you can’t stay?” Clara asked.
“Positive,” Amy said. She crossed the kitchen and hugged her mother before pecking her father on the cheek. “Good night. Thank you for dinner.”
“You’re welcome, honey.”
* * *
“Amy?Do you want to talk about it?” Jane asked.
They had just arrived home. Amy was sullen and quiet the entire way home, and Jane wasn’t sure what to say or do.
“Talk about what?”
“Why you’re angry with Mark,” Jane said.
“I’m not,” Amy said with a scowl.
“You seem angry with him.”
“Well, I’m not,” Amy repeated. “I’m tired and think I’ll have a hot bath and go to bed. Good night, Jane.”
“Night, Amy. Thank you for today. I had a lot of fun.”
Amy’s face softened, and she smiled at Jane. “Me too. Thanks for coming with me.”