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We’re only a few days out from Christmas.
I overheard the guys chatting this morning.
Bryant mentioned the gym will be closed Christmas Eve to the day after Christmas and New Year’s Eve, as well as New Year’s Day.
The restaurant has similar closures, except they’ll be open New Year’s Eve.
Luka mentioned he was going into the restaurant to handle some admin stuff, and I asked if I could go with him.
The roads are clear, and it’s not snowing today, making it the perfect time for me to pick up my car and the rest of my stuff that’s still at the apartment.
* * *
Lawson lingers around close to the doorway that leads to the garage as Luka and I prepare to head out.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Law asks, scratching his fluffy beard. “It might be a tight fit, but I can drive your car home, if I put the seat all the way back.”
Hearing him call it our home sends a shiver down my spine in a good way.
The dogs whine, circling between the three of us. They’ve been spoiled the last few days with the guys not going to work.
“Nah, I can handle it.” I step over, wrapping my arms around Law. “If it starts snowing, I’ll ride back with Luka, and we can try to bring my car over another day. I barely have two bags to pack. You should stay with the dogs.”
He nods, nuzzling his cheek to the top of my head. “All right, sweetheart. Be safe. Call me when you’re leaving, and I’ll be ready to come out and help you unload the car.”
* * *
Luka takes me by the store for a quick shopping trip. I needed to buy more pads and tampons. I also grab some treats for the dogs while Luka is busy looking at charcoal.
We make it to the apartment, and he helps me pack up my things and get them loaded into my car.
Once that’s done, we stand around near the driver’s side door.
“Do you want me to wait for you?” I ask, rubbing my hands together to warm them up.
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “There was a bit of a falling out between Bev and Lucy during your heat. It shouldn’t take too long, but I need to have a meeting with each one individually. Then I’ll have to bring them together to see if I can get to the bottom of the discourse.”
“That’s tough. I’m sorry my heat caused problems within the business—”
“It didn’t,” he says firmly. “Their issues had nothing to do with us being away.”
He pulls my palms to rest on his chest as he warms my hands with his. It’s such a small gesture, but it feels pretty monumental to me.
My stomach flutters as I stare up at him.
“Bev has been on Lucy’s last nerve for a while,” Luka says. “They used to get along, so I’m not sure what changed. I’ve also noticed a difference in Bev’s attitude, which sucks. I don’t want to let her go so close to the holidays, but we’ll see how it goes.”
“I hope it goes well and isn’t too stressful.”
“You don’t have anything to add about the Bev situation?” he asks, tilting his head.
“Nope,” I lie my ass off.
I’ve met Lucy, the bar manager, a few times. She seems rational and good at her job. Bev is more abrasive, but it’s a work environment. I think that’s probably to be expected from any boss while a new employee gets the hang of things.
“Fair enough,” Luka says. “All right. I guess I’d better get going. You have our address all programmed into your GPS?”
“Yep,” I assure him. “And I’ll call Lawson before I back out of the parking spot.”
