The smile immediately fades from her lips. “Oh?”
“Yes. I was thinking that if you wanted to move in here, you could instead of living with Dylan. If you don’t want to, that’s totally okay. You won’t hurt my feelings, but I just thought that staying there with your brother and his wife and kids has to be hard. So, if you’d rather live here, you could. I mean, you’re here all the time anyway.”
I can see her wheels turning, so I add, “Seriously, Jo, no pressure. If this is too soon, it’s okay. Just tell me, and I’ll back off.”
Her relief is evident. “I’ll think about it.”
I pull her close as we get a little more comfortable. I’m so glad she’s back in my bed. I didn’t sleep worth shit last night.
And apparently, neither did Ronnie.
When I’m almost about to drift off to sleep, she whispers, “Beau?”
“Yes, beautiful?”
“I love you.”
I don’t want to make a big deal out of it because I’m worried it’ll scare her off again, but on the inside, I am absolutely screaming like the luckiest son-of-a-bitch in the world.
“I love you too, Jo. So fucking much.”
Chapter forty-eight
Awkward Encounters
Jo
The next few days pass in a blur. My parents’ trip lasted a little longer than expected, so I’ve been keeping the bar running. It amazes me because I have such a love/hate relationship with Andre’s. When I was a little kid, I thought it was the coolest place in the world. It was where my parents went every day, and I would always eavesdrop to listen to the wild and crazy stories they would tell. When I got to teenage age, it suddenly wasn’t so cool anymore. It was basically my first job.When it was closed during the day, I would do dishes or sweep up for extra money. Let’s be honest, most people don’t like their first jobs.
Now, I’m somewhere right in the middle. I don’t necessarily love it because it’s a job, and quite frankly, I don’t like most jobs I have. But there’s also something completely different about it now. Maybe it’s because in my parents’ absence, I am in charge. Not answering to anyone else is nice.
Things are good with Beau although we aren’t getting to see each other as much as we were. Helping out at the shop meant that I was on the same schedule as him. Now, he gets up early; whereas, I am working late.
We’ve still managed to squeeze in some time together, but it’s been mostly catching up on our days and then trying to get in a quick fuck.
But tonight, all of that changes. My parents’ flight got in this morning, so I am off the hook tonight. I have absolutely no plans today except wait for Beau to get off. And then…I will do him.
Over and over again.
I decide that I’m going to attempt to make dinner again, but instead of trying to do something far outside of my comfort zone, I’m going to get a frozen lasagna that I can just throw in the oven. And then, boom, we will have dinner and can move on to the no-pants portion of the evening.
As I walk to the market, I have my head down in an attempt to avoid the air that is beginning to turn downright frigid. This year, I’m going to have to invest in another good winter coat. I have no idea what happened to my old one, and living in California and Arizona, I didn’t need one. I don’t think I’m going to be able to get away with wearing nothing but my hoodie for much longer.
As I round the corner, I run into someone.
“Oh, shit!” I cry. “Are you okay?”
I look up to see a female in front of me, dusting herself off.
Don’t be dramatic. I didn’t knock you over.
“Yeah, no harm, no foul,” she replies with a smile. “Jo? Jo Lawson?”
“Uh, yeah.” I stare at her face, trying to place her. My questionable decisions the past few years have made my memory far less reliable than it used to be.
When I’m still drawing a blank, she says, “Cindy Bates.”
“Holy shit! Yes! Cindy!” I say while she leans in for a hug.
