“Sorry, ma’am, my whore and I got a little carried away.”
“Zane!” I gasped and noticed the lady’s face turn red. She turned away from us mumbling something about how rude this generation was.
I turned on him and hissed, “Zane, how could you say that?” My face was still flushing a deep red and I wanted to sink into the ground.
“You know you’re not my whore, but what did that busybody expect after saying we thought this was a brothel?” He grinned and grabbed my hand. “Now let’s get these sheets and get out of here. I don’t think I’m made for Ikea.”
“You don’t even know Ikea.” I shook my head. “I didn’t know you were an elitist about where your sheets came from.”
“I’m not. I just want to be somewhere a little less crowded with you.” He ran his hand down to my ass and I swatted it away.
“Zane,” I protested quickly. “Let’s not get kicked out.”
“I don’t mind if we do.” He looked sheepish.
“You’re bored, aren’t you?” I laughed. “Let me choose something and we can leave.” I spotted a green duvet cover with circles on it and rushed over. “Oh, look at this. I love it. Don’t you love it?” I grabbed the package and stared at it before eagerly showing it to Zane.
“Not really,” he grimaced.
“What do you like?” I put the package down and walked over to a plain sky-blue cover. “Something like this?”
“No.” He shook his head and walked over to a black striped set.
“No way.” My voice rose, and this time it was me shaking my head. “There is no way I’m sleeping in a death bed.”
“A death bed?” He looked amused.
“The color black in a home is not for me,” I said. “It’s too gloomy. I prefer bright colors. Don’t get me wrong, though, I’ll wear black clothes.” I laughed loudly. “I do like the slimming look.”
“You don’t need any help looking slim.” He purred and I hit him in the arm.
“You’re such a suck-up, Zane.”
“And you love it.” He paused. “I mean, I’m sure you loved it when I gave you super big tips.”
“You did that on purpose?” I turned around and gasped. “I mean, of course you did it on purpose, but did you do it to suck up to me?” I laughed at his ‘you-got-me’ expression. “I guess I should say thanks. You saved me from getting evicted many times.”
“You were that broke?” He frowned.
“Yes,” I sighed, remembering all the stress from the last year. “My parents didn’t have an insurance policy when they died. I had to use my student loans and credit cards to pay for the funeral expenses.”
“Couldn’t you use money from the estate?” He looked upset and I shook my head.
“There was no estate. My parents were in pre-foreclosure.” I sighed as I remembered the stress they had been in before they died. “They were fighting just to keep the house.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice was tight. “I don’t want you to worry about money with me, Lucky.”
“I don’t want your money, Zane. This can’t be about money.” My throat constricted as I looked up at his face, which was growing increasingly angrier. “Please understand that.”
“I don’t understand why you won’t let me help you.”
“A relationship built unevenly isn’t solid, Zane, and money makes things uneven.” I stared into his eyes, hoping he would understand where I was coming from. “I don’t want to be dependent on you.”
“I want you to be dependent on me. I want to be your provider.” His words came out hoarsely. “I would do anything for you, Lucky. Money means nothing to me. I just want you to be happy and safe. And you’re not going to be safe if you’re on the streets.”
“Well, right now I’m in Los Feliz.” I smiled weakly.
“Yes.” He stared at me for a few seconds and turned away. “What about this one?” He walked over and picked up a cream duvet cover with a shiny silver pattern running across it. I was glad for the change of subject and looked at it.
“I love it,” I beamed. “I really love it.”
“Should we get the matching sheet set, as well?”
“I … uh, sure.”
“I’ll pay.” Zane’s voice was firm.
“No,” I sighed. “I’ll buy the duvet cover. You can buy the sheets.”
“I don’t want you spending your money on me, Lucky.”
“Please, Zane.” I looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping he would understand how important it was for me to do this.
“Fine.” He took my hand and kissed it. “You’re one in a million, Lucky Starr Morgan.”
I blushed as I noticed the stares of those all around us, and my heart stilled at the tenderness in his voice. Everything was going to work out. We’d figure it out. No matter what happened, we’d get over it. Some of the worry in my gut left me and I sidled up to him, cherishing the warmth of his body next to mine.
“Shall we go to the bookstore next?” He kissed my cheek and a flow of electricity passed between us.
“Maybe tomorrow?” I didn’t want to go and look at pregnancy books today. Everything was still so fresh and new between us. I didn’t want that additional pressure and worry to hit us so quickly. “Let’s go grocery shop, so I can make a great dinner for Leonardo.”
“Oh, yes.” He pulled away from me. “You know, Lucky, sometimes we have to do things we think are for the best.”
“Uh huh.” I looked at him suspiciously. “And you’re telling me this because…?”
“I’d do anything for you, Lucky. You are more important to me than I am to myself. Even if that means you being with someone else.”
“What are you talking about?” It was my turn to frown and look at him. “I don’t want to be with anyone else, and I can look after myself.”
“Well, I beg to differ.” He smirked. “I do remember having to rescue you on a certain dark night in Florida.”
“I didn’t need you to rescue me.” I glared at him and pulled away. Sometimes Zane was so obnoxious and annoying that he made my blood boil. I knew he had issues, but there was no way I was going to let him treat me like some 50s housewife who depended on her husband for everything. Even though he wasn’t my husband. I could just imagine if I brought up the word husband to him. I bet he’d freak out. I giggled to myself, imagining what his face would look like. Maybe it would stop him from thinking crazy thoughts and talking even crazier.