Page 229 of Safe With You

“Well, it’s nice when you can work with your man and still like him when the night’s over.”

I blinked.

Ellis went still beside me.

The woman kept talking before either of us got the chance to respond.

“My husband and I tried working together once. Lasted three weeks.”

I laughed before I could stop myself.

“He kept telling me I was doing everything wrong,” she continued.

“Were you?” Ellis asked.

Her head turned toward him.

I looked at him.

He pressed his lips together.

The woman pointed at him. “See, now that’s the kind of question that’ll get you in trouble.”

“I realized that as soon as I said it.”

“You better learn.”

“I’m trying.”

She looked at me. “Help him.”

“I’ve been trying.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

She patted my arm before heading toward the door.

“Good night, y’all.”

“Good night,” I called after her.

The bell chimed.

Silence settled between us.

Not actual silence.

There were still people talking around us. Naomi dropped something behind the counter and muttered under her breath. Mila was explaining to Jacob why he wasn’t stacking the programs correctly.

But between me and Ellis?

Silence.

I looked at him.

He looked at me.

“Your man?” he asked, entirely too amused.