Page 16 of Miss Understanding

“In case of what?”

“I have no clue. But I once remember watching the national news about a big snowstorm where people were stocking up on bread, water, milk, and toilet paper. Since I’ve never been in snow, I wasn’t sure what to do.”

Hell, I’d even bought things for baking. I hoped I’d have some time over the weekend at least.

He simply sighed, taking the groceries and putting them into the back. “I should probably grab some things.”

“Like what?”

“Coffee. Food stuff.”

“Have you finally realized the house is the best option in town?”

Jaw tick. “It’s fine.”

Probably as close to a yes as I would get. “I bought you coffee. I also got you eggs for your omelets along with veggies to put in them.” He always ordered the same thing every morning, making it easy to know what he wanted.

“You do realize those things are already cooked from the downstairs cafeteria when you get them for me at the office, don’t you?”

Although I had no issue cooking an omelet for him, I wasn’t at a point where I was willing to tell him that. “I also bought you protein bars, yogurts, energy drinks, and different kinds of nuts.”

I could only hope at least one of those things would put him in a better mood.

Chapter Ten

Liam

A good assistant knew all of the things Kendall had rattled off. After all, she brought me breakfast and lunch most days from upstairs in the on-site cafeteria. I rarely ate anywhere but at my desk because I was constantly working. Yet hearing her recite all of my food preferences left me feeling unnerved. But not any more than the thought of us sharing a house.

There was something very intimate about doing so, and I didn’t like it. Not one bit. But once again, she’d raised the point of me not giving her many options. Honestly, I’d resigned myself to having to stay in one of the cheap motels in town, but she’d surprised me with her resourcefulness. Even more, she’d shocked me by basically telling me I could go to hell if I didn’t choose to stay here. Her little outburst was way too much of a turn-on to be comfortable.

Once we were both inside the truck, I started it up and pulled out of the parking lot onto the main road. The house wasn’t too bad, I thought, pulling into the driveway. It was only a few miles from my mother’s home, and if it had a functioning office, that would be better than working in a hotel room. I had to give Kendall credit.

“You sure you don’t want to head over to your mom’s tonight? I can unload everything and get your office ready.”

Considering her irritation with me earlier, I was humbled she’d offer. “I’m sure.” Although guilt gnawed at me for not driving over there right away, I fought it. I needed another night before I could see my mother and talk about my father.

“Okay. So I’ll start unpacking the groceries, move my stuff upstairs to the bedroom, and set up the office equipment.”

“No. I’ll take the room upstairs. It will be easier for me with the office up there. You can have the master.” Perhaps ceding her the bigger bedroom would alleviate some of my guilt for being a dick to her. Unfortunately, I could already picture her soaking in the tub. It was not a good professional image to have in my mind.

I decided to make myself useful and finish bringing everything in.

While Kendall took her things into the master bedroom, I started taking the folders out of the large suitcase in order to organize them. Although there were electronic copies of everything, having the actual copies here made me feel better. I was old-fashioned when it came to using paper and a reliable highlighter. Even if I only needed the folders she’d brought in her carry-on, I was more comfortable having everything here at my fingertips.

“I could’ve done that.”

I glanced up from where I was kneeling on the floor putting the files into boxes.

She’d changed her clothing. Now in yoga pants and a sweatshirt, she’d put her hair up.

I was speechless. I’d never seen her outside of the office or so casual and was taken aback by how naturally beautiful she was.

“It’s fine,” I told her. Unloading the files was the least I could do after making her haul them here. “At least there was no underwear on top of these files.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, yeah, I’m sure it traumatized you to see a woman’s thongs.”

While Kendall bustled around the house, I busied myself upstairs in the office. I got my laptop signed on to the Wi-Fi and managed to hook it up to the printer. Luckily, there were simple directions for doing both tasks. I’d just finished marking up a document I needed her to make edits to when she popped her head in.