Broken & Beautiful

Chapter 29

After spending the night at my place, Jake and I decide to switch locations. He's the first to step into the apartment, setting his things down on the sofa. He looks around, nodding to himself, and says "Well, everything seems to be in one piece," before he settles down in his arm chair.

I drop my overnight bag next to his stuff on the couch before I open the window near his bed. He holds out his arms and I accept the invitation, carefully settling myself down on his lap. I run a hand through his hair and grin down at him. "See? I am a good house-sitter. Well, apartment-sitter. Your plant is still alive and thriving. The place is clean. Your mail is over there." I point to the pile of mail on his coffee table, the bundles held together by rubber bands. "Ooh! I almost forgot the best part." I get off of his lap and walk into his kitchen, waiting until he can see what I'm about to show him. He leans against the doorframe and I open the refrigerator door, gesturing to its contents with a flourish. "Ta-da! I even restocked your fridge with the essentials."

Jake chuckles as he walks toward me, pulling me into an embrace. "Look at you. Buying me groceries. Organizing my mail. Watering my plant. You are so thoughtful."

"I am."

~*~*~*~

It's Monday, which means that both Jake and I have to go back to work. We're both reluctant to leave the warm cocoon that is Jake's bed, and we even joke about calling in sick. We shower together and eat a light breakfast, and then we're off to work.

Jake and I join the rest of the group at Family Dinner, and Simone's absence is noted. There's the usual gossip and speculation, of course. Jake gets fed up at some point and leaves, dropping off his plate in the bus tub. Well, this is going to be a fun shift.

"So, what actually happened to Simone?" Will asks as we deposit our plates and utensils in the tub.

I sigh, wondering if I should tell him. "Apparently, she got back together with her ex."

"Is she coming back?"

I shrug. "No idea. If she doesn't, I'm sure there will be at least three people chomping at the bit to fill her position."

Will shakes his head. "I don't know about that. Yeah, I can see Sasha and Tess trying for it. But Ari seems content where she is."

"That's true. If it's between Sasha and Tess, I'm rooting for Sasha. He's wanted it for so long."

He nods in agreement. "I'm sure Howard will make the right call."

"I hope so. Well, off to work. See you later."

I join Jake behind the bar, watching him closely as he sets out containers of lemons and limes. "How ya doing there, partner?" He sighs, jaw clenched as he cuts into his first lemon. I take a knife out of one of the drawers and set down a cutting board, slicing into a lime. "It's just talk, you know. They didn't mean anything by it."

"Yeah. Well, they need to mind their own business."

I raise a brow. "You'll get no argument from me. Sometimes, they make me feel like I'm back in high school. I know it bothers you. I just ... wish it didn't."

Jake nods in acknowledgment. "I'll be fine. Just wish I could kick this jet lag."

"You will." We slice our respective fruits for a while, and I grin. "Look at us. Team Kincaid and Holt, back in action." I look over at him, hoping his mood has lightened a little. I know I've succeeded, because he's shaking his head and smirking.

"It's 'Team Holt and Kincaid'. I was here first. Remember?"

"Whatever you say. I bet I can finish off these limes before you can finish cutting your lemons."