Ada set her glass aside. “Okay, first of all, Icannotbelieve you’ve kept this from me. This isn’t a new development, no way. But secondly…I’m not judging you, if that’s what you’re thinking. I mean, she isridiculouslyattractive. And classy. And kind of sexy in that terrifying older-woman-who-knows-everything way.”
Jo laughed, but her face fell just as quickly. “It’s not just that. It’s how easy she makes everything feel. Like I can just be myself with her.” Jo swallowed as she shook her head. “She’s been there for me from the moment he kicked me out of the house. God, I even stayed at her place until I found something suitable for me. It’s just…that’s not what this is about. It’s not because she’s been supportive. It’s…I’ve been into her since I met Callum.”
“Then it’s a shame you didn’t tell him to fuck off back then and climb into bed with his mum instead. Maybe you wouldn’t have had your heart broken.”
Jo had to agree. Looking back, she should have been braver. “Maybe.”
Ada tilted her head. “Has something happened between you two?”
Jo hesitated as she chewed the inside of her cheek.
“Jo.” Ada pressed.
“No, not like that,” Jo said quickly. “But there’s been…flirting. A few moments. Like,actualmoments between us.”
She told Ada everything. From their talk yesterday, to the lingering looks, the barely-there touches, and how Amelia had struck up the flirting on Saturday night for the first time. Honestly, it felt as though fate had dropped them into each other’s orbit that night, even if they were both trying to pretend otherwise.
“And then she texted me earlier today, asking if we should still do dinner, even after our talk,” Jo said, pulling her knees closer to her chest. “Like…like she was hopeful. Or maybe she was just trying to smooth things over. I don’t know anymore.”
Ada watched her carefully. “Do you want there to be something more with her?”
Jo sighed. “Yes. God, yes. But how could there be?”
“Well, youaresingle. It’s not like you’re sneaking around behind anyone’s back.”
“I know, but I spent over three years with the potential to be her daughter-in-law. You can’t just erase that, Ada. And I don’t want to mess up the only good connection I have with someone. Losing her…it’s not an option for me.”
“It sounds to me like she was just trying to say the right thing yesterday.”
Jo looked up with a frown.
“I mean, she’s texting you about dinner after you’ve both said it shouldn’t go there. She’s still reaching out. That’s not nothing, and it’snothow someone who thinks it’s a bad idea would usually behave. There should be less contact, not more, in the way of arranging dinner plans.”
As if on cue, Jo’s phone buzzed.
She hesitated, then picked it up. It was a message from Amelia.
I’ve just walked past that tiny Mexican place you like on Hill Street. The one with your favourite taquitos. It made me think of you. Hope work didn’t drain you too much today.
Jo’s heart clenched.
It wasn’t flirtatious, and it wasn’t romantic. But itwaspersonal. Kind. And for Jo, it may as well have been a handwritten letter sealed with a kiss.
She handed her phone to Ada without saying a word.
Ada read it, then whistled low. “That woman doesnotmake it easy, does she?”
Jo groaned inwardly. “Nope.”
“She’s thinking about you.”
“I know.”
Ada leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. “Can I ask something, and you won’t throw me out?”
Jo arched a brow. “I’m sure whatever it is, you’ve probably asked worse.”
“What scares you more? That nothing will happen…or that something will?”
