“It’s all a blur.” Moisture gathered in her eyes. “Grandma’s mixer…”
“Oh no.”
Jo inhaled and blinked her tears dry. “Anyway, then I threw myself at Avery at his apartment, and he…” Humiliation tightened her chest. “He said no.”
“Hmph, sounds like the dick really isn’t a dick after all.”
“No, but I feel like such a fool.”
“Awe, babe, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. That’s normal after a trauma.”
Jo stopped pacing and braced herself against the wall for the next revelation. “He wants me to stay with him...or rather, he offered, but I don’t know.”
“Hmm.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. It’s just…” Brooke paused, and Jo could see her biting her lip.
“What?”
“It sounds like he likes you.”
“He just wants in my panties.”
“Well, duh, but don’t you want in his?”
“Maybe his boxers.”
“So, what is there to think about?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, come on, it’s perfect. You can spank that bad boy while you’re looking for another apartment.”
“Girl, stop.” Jo groaned. That was the second time Brooke had brought up spanking, and she was trying not to picture her BFF in black leather with her legal eagle bent over and ready for a paddle. “I’ll think about it and let you know what I decide.”
“Just in case, I’ll give Aaron the heads up he might be bunking with his brother. Maybe that will incentivize him to kick Andrew to the curb.”
The next hour passed quickly as Jo started with the most clinical task first and scrubbed the bathroom walls and floors. She saved the shower for last and took one while she was in there.
Too late, she remembered all the towels were shredded to the size of washcloths. Drying off proved challenging, but she felt clean and stronger, ready to face her bedroom and maybe find something to put on instead of the dirty sundress.
The daunting pile of chopped-up clothing on the bed took some of the wind out of her sails, so she shoved it to the floor to check out the mattress. Worst case, she could dump this one and sleep on her old one.
“Not so bad.” A few slashes here and there, but she could sew them back together. Score one for the good guys.
Naked, she flopped onto her back and checked her email for signs of a job. Nothing. She forced herself to answer texts. It seemed word of her stalker had already gotten around.
Melody: Spencer told me about your apartment. You’re welcome to stay with us. We’d love to have you.
She snorted. Like she’d invade newlyweds. They didn’t need a houseguest putting a kink in their sexy time. Or maybe they liked a little kink.
Ugh. Why am I thinking of kinky sex?
Thanks a lot, Brooke.
Jo: Thank you for the offer. I’ve got it covered.
