Relative Happiness by Lesley Crewe Read Free Book Online

carry-all.”
    â€œWear that blue shirt of yours, and those dark pants. I’ll iron them. You look great no matter what you wear so I wouldn’t worry about it.”
    She scrubbed the roasting pan with considerable force. “I, on the other hand, will look like something Bastard Jack dragged in.”
    â€œWho on earth is Bastard Jack?”
    â€œIt’s a long story.”
    â€œSo tell me anyway.”
    â€œBastard Jack belongs to an old bag…”
    Adrian’s furrowed his brow. “An old bag?”
    She shrugged. “That’s what she calls herself. I deliver meals to her. Bastard Jack is her rheumy-eyed, arthritic, deaf, flea-bitten Chihuahua. I have to have tea with him whenever I go over. He drinks right out of the cup on the kitchen table. It’s disgusting, so I don’t want to talk about it.”
    Adrian laughed. “Okay, okay.” He dried a few dishes. Then crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “Am I allowed to say something?”
    â€œIt’s a free country.”
    â€œIf that little mutt did happen to drag you home, I’d say he has very good taste.”
    â€œOh yes, I’m sure,” she grumped. “I wear hand me downs from the nearly new store while my sisters look like they stepped out of a band box.”
    She continued to scour the roaster. Adrian threw the dishtowel on the counter. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her around to face him.
    â€œYou my dear, are the sweetest girl I’ve ever met. Don’t change a thing.” He put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her forehead softly.
    â€œDon’t ever forget that.”
    He looked at her and then took her breath away.
    He bent his head and kissed her, gently at first, slowly, and then longer and deeper. He pulled her in, trying to get closer. She reached to put her arms around him, when he suddenly stopped. He moaned a little and hugged her tight.
    â€œOh, God. I’m so sorry Lexie. Forgive me, I don’t want to hurt you.”
    â€œYou’re not hurting me, Adrian. Don’t ever think that.”
    â€œI’m so sorry.” He let her go and left the room. She stood by the sink and stared after him.
    He smelled so good. He tasted so good. What was wrong? He looked almost distraught. She didn’t dare ask him, because she was afraid he’d leave. Maybe if she just pretended nothing happened, he would stay.
    There were times she thought Adrian really liked her. Whenever they walked together, he’d often link his arm through hers and keep her close.
    â€œAre you cold?”
    Once she said yes, when she wasn’t. He put his arm around her shoulders. She’d have happily stayed like that for the rest of her life.
    Another time she made an apple pie. He gave her a big hug, saying he loved apple pie. He held her so long she became uncomfortable and made an excuse to walk away. She was afraid she’d jump on him the way Donalda did.
    She’d dream of him. Once she thought she heard him cry in the middle of the night. She wondered if he had a nightmare.
    Then one night he did.
    He screamed and screamed and by the time she got to him, he was sitting up in bed and obviously didn’t know where he was. His undershirt was soaked with sweat.
    She hurried over to him. “It’s all right, Adrian,” she whispered. “It’s only a dream.”
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œDon’t be silly.”
    â€œDon’t leave me, Lexie. Please.” He held out his hand and she took it. He wouldn’t let it go so she sat on the side of his bed. He finally laid his head on the pillow and closed his eyes. He looked like he wanted to cry.
    She began to hum and finally he slept. She brushed his damp hair away from his forehead. “What’s wrong Adrian? Why won’t you tell me?” She lifted his hand to her cheek and pressed it against her.
    â€œIt’s okay, Adrian. I’m right