And he’d fucking jumped off it!
Jo peered over a broad shoulder and drank him in, every beautiful inch of him.
He sat at the end of the table, leaning back and a little sideways in his chair, one arm hooked over the back, his legs crossed. Armani had the pleasure of hugging his body tonight—black wool. He wore a white shirt and a lavender tie that matched her dress perfectly.
Chocolate brown eyes narrowed as he listened to something Lydia said. One hand rested on the table, drumminglong fingers on the white tablecloth, letting Jo know he wasn’t as sure of himself as he wanted everyone to think.
And next to his drumming fingers…
A 1971 avocado green mixer with a big red bow on top.
Fresh tears gathered in her throat. It had to be a replica. But no, right down to the frayed cord and a couple of extra dings to match the ones it already had, it was her grandma’s mixer. “I don’t understand. Giselle destroyed it.”
“He found someone to restore it after the cops couldn’t lift any prints.”
She whirled on Brooke. “That was three weeks ago.”
“He wanted it to be—”
“A surprise,” Jo finished with her. Of course, he did. “You knew?”
Brooke held up her hands. “Hey, I just found out this morning.”
“And you’ve been plotting with him all day?”
“He was pretty persuasive,” she said with a sheepish smile.
Jo rolled her eyes. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am.” She took Jo’s hand in hers. “But you’ve been walking around like the dead all week. You love him. He’s making an effort. Don’t throw it away because you’re scared. Take a chance to be happy.”
“Ships are safe in harbor, but ships are meant to sail.”
That one came out of nowhere. Grandma hadn’t used it often, but it sounded an awful lot like a sign…or a blessing.
I can stay in harbor…or jump off the fence. He’s not the only one straddling it.
Jo nodded, and Brooke gave her a nudge. “You can do this.”
The second Jo stepped from her hiding spot, he saw her. Those dark eyes lit up, and the silky black wave flopping over one brow enhanced the cocky grin that pulled at his lips. Her tummy did a little flip, and with each step, the knot tied around her heart loosened.
Not because, by some miracle, a piece of her grandma was sitting on the table. The gesture, though so heart-tuggingly sweet, said so much more than the three little words he’d never said. She’d felt them in every word, every kiss, every touch.
“…she got herself fired, we were so worried about her.” Lydia reached out to pat his arm and giggled. “And then you came along.”
Jo rolled her eyes. The woman had no shame.
“Yes,” he said, drawing out the word. “I’m very fortunate to have found her.”
Stopping in front of him, Jo crossed her arms and spiked a brow. “What are you doing here?”
He lifted a lavender envelope. Silver glitter fell on white linen. “I was invited.”
“Well, of course, he was invited. He’s your boyfriend.” Lydia’s sharp tone scraped along Jo’s nerves like sandpaper. “I just don’t understand why we had to invite him when you should have.”
Jo couldn’t stop the flush of heat in her cheeks. She hadn’t told them anything. They would find out sooner or later, and she just couldn’t listen to Lydia harp about how she’d been stupid to walk away from him, that she’d never stood a chance with a man like him anyway. Not when she’d already told herself those things.
“That’s a very good question, Mrs. Hayes.” Avery tilted his head to one side but kept his eyes on Jo. “Would you mind giving us a moment alone?”
