Page 49 of Wicked Love

“It was never my intention.”

“Same result. I’m overrrr you now. You didn’t deny I was only a fuck to you.”

“I didn’t mean it. Our relationship confuses me too.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. Even if you try to seduce S.E.D.U.C.E. me, I won’t fall for it. We are done. D. O. N. E.”

I watched her with amusement. “Okay, you like to spell words tonight.”

“Only trying to make sure I’m being cleaaaar. Done.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you didn’t take the car tonight so I could come to pick you up.”

“The roads are dangeroooous. Super steep and dark. The last thing I want”—she lifted a finger—“is to end up in a ditch. D. I. T. C. H. It was my decisionnn. I’m an adult, so I decidddde my decisionnns. Okay?”

A soft laugh exited my mouth. “Yeah. An adult. Who decides her own decisions. Got it.”

“Glad you…you’re notttt arguing with me.” She nodded. And nodded again. “You won’t affect me anymore, Joe Crawford. Nevvvver. I will not give you the power to do it.” She turned to face me as I led her outside. “Say you agreeeee with me.”

“Okay.”

“Goooood.”

* * *

We arrived at the cabin, and Grace started rummaging through the refrigerator while I packed the fireplace. “I’m superrr hungry. Where’s the food?” she asked, popping blueberries into her mouth. This was a different version of drunk-Grace tonight. Nothing like the happy-no-worries side of her when we were at Dick’s Hole. “Ramen. Yes. Ramen would taste soooooo good.”

“You’re a hungry drunk, aren’t you?”

“Nopppe. I’m not drunk.”

“You’re not?”

She shook her head multiple times. “Joe, you’re making things up. Stoppp. I’m still mad at you. I’m hungry. Period.”

I snickered at her antics.

Turning her back to me, Grace bent forward, opened a cupboard, and took a pot out.

I joined her and tried to remove it from her hands. “You’re not playing with hot water. Gimme that.” I opened my palm, but she hid the pot behind her back. “Grace. Please. You are an adult, and you decide your decisions, but I’ll take care of the hot water for now, okay?”

She huffed a long breath. “O-okay.”

I led her to the living room and put one of the Christmas movies she liked on the television. I grabbed a blanket and a sleepy DH. “Here. Relax while I cook for you.”

“Will you make ramen soup?”

“Yes.”

I placed DH on her lap once she sat down, and Grace snuggled with him. “Thank you.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets and bobbed my head once. “You’re welcome.”

I was itching to tell her she didn’t have to get drunk when things didn’t go her way and that avoiding me wasn’t the solution to our disagreement. But now wasn’t the time, so I decided to let it go.

When I returned to the living room with two bowls of soup on a tray, Grace had fallen asleep, the kitten nestled against her. The sight drew a smile on my lips.

I slid under her legs and ate as I watched the rest of the movie.