“I got this Mike. I know how to talk to her, and we will get everything PLUS!” she giggled. Mike put his head down, saying “I’m going to be broke after this…” as Irene sashayed out, still laughing.
Mike went home, and she had made dinner. Mac and cheese with some hot dogs. Not one to complain, Mike praised it like it was fine cuisine. She looked at him like he was insane and laughed along. They sat down and watched a movie after dinner. She sat close to him on the couch and snuggled in after the movie started. By the time it was half over, she was sleeping. Mike stared at her, realizing just how attractive she was, then feeling guilty. He gently woke her up and led her to her bed. After he laid her down, he went to kiss her forehead. She tilted her head and it became a kiss. A real kiss. After way too long, he thought, she let loose and looked up at him, smiling. “Good night sweet prince” she giggled.
He reddened, standing up. “Have a wonderful night, Jill.”
He went to bed, still reeling from that kiss. He had noticed that the entire house had been cleaned, all the laundry done, everything. “Damn” he thought “A fella could do a lot worse for a wife”. He then banished that thought from his mind, and started thinking of Saturday, making plans in his mind.
In the morning, when the alarm went off, he quietly got up, showered, and crept out so he wouldn’t wake her up…and promptly smelled breakfast. He had forgotten his alarm again. She was up and had made biscuits and gravy. “Wow, you cook so much better than I do” he said.
She blushed and said “Liar” as she began cleaning the mess.
“No, seriously, I can’t make this that well. I don’t know what you did, but it is outstanding!” he said.
She turned and said “Don’t patronize me. That is the only thing I really know how to make.”
“AAARGH!” he cried, “I’ve stepped on myself again. I was just giving you a complement. Please don’t be so defensive. I want to see you smiling, not plotting my demise!”
She looked down, and quietly said “I haven’t been given many complements until I came here. Give me some patience too. Please.”
He softened and picked up her hand and said “You’re going to have to get used to it. You amaze me more every day. I saw everything you did yesterday, you worked harder than I did. Slow down. You have to start a real job on Monday. Take a break.”
Her head flew up, hand to her mouth “Really? Are you serious? Who am I working for, McDonalds?”
He started laughing, holding her hand still. “Jill Parnell, would you do me the honor of working for me? I promise to pay you fairly, no family discounts.”
She stared at him “What in the hell am I going to do for you? I don’t know anything. I don’t want a pity job!”
He squeezed her hand, quieting her and said “This is no pity job. You will be training, and I expect you to work hard. You will start at entry-level pay. If you don’t work at it, you will have to go find something else on your own, kiddo.”
She listened and nodded “You know I will work, Mike. For you, anything.” He looked at her, believing her. He could see the determination in her eyes.