“Are you all right,Jonah?”Smokey asked, frowning as he looked toward the other man.
He had been attempting to greet him, but Jonah looked lost in his own little world.Suddenly, he looked up and then smiled.
“Sorry, hi, Smokey.”
They had gotten along great for a long time, it was only after the shooting that had struck Larissa that Jonah had been unhappy, which Smokey could understand.Being a father, now more than ever, he knew what it meant to protect his loved ones.Being in love with Ava, knowing how he fucked up, it was a miracle he had a wife and child, and he was so grateful for the chances he’d been given.
“Is everything okay?”Smokey asked.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m just thinking about my daughter.”
“Larissa?What’s up?”
“I know I’ve been busy with work and such, but do you know if she is dating anyone?”
Smokey frowned.“Last I heard she was with Andrew, wasn’t she?”
“Yeah, but that was a long time ago.At least it feels that way.I don’t think it is him.She won’t talk about him, but she’s asking my opinion on things, that honestly, I never thought she would ask.”
Smokey took a deep breath.“What kind of things?”
“You know, relationships before marriage.Going all the way.She has always been so determined that she is going to get married and have a full relationship from there.”
“And you think that has changed?”
“Possibly.She has been such an angel.”He sighed.“I know she won’t make any decisions that are wrong for her.I trust her.I just ...I know men.No offense.”
“None taken, and I also know men.Do you want me to see what I can do?”Smokey asked.“I could perhaps warn whoever is with Larissa.Tell him he’s got to be the perfect gentleman and all that shit.”
Jonah took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.“Yeah, that would actually be great, if you could do that, I would really appreciate it.”
“Consider it done.”
Jonah shook his hand.“Thank you, and I suppose you will make sure Larissa doesn’t find out about this conversation?”
“Sure.”
Smokey nodded at him, and then turned away.He knew the best person to ask, he just needed to wait for Big Dick to get back from his trip.
****
It was dark.
Larissa had already called home to let her dad know she had gone to a small lake with friends, and that she would be back in the morning.George had found them a motel to stay at.One he promised didn’t have axe murderers inside.
There were no double beds, so they had to share one bed.Larissa hadn’t packed clothes for overnight.All she had was the dress she wore today, along with the swimsuit.
They stepped inside the hotel room, and Larissa looked toward George.
“We said we wanted to be alone.”He closed the door and put the key down on the table.“And now we’re alone.There is no risk of anyone finding us.”
Larissa stood in the center of the room.It was small, but it was also cozy.She nibbled her lip.“There’s a shower,” she said.
He reached for her hand.“Larissa, I don’t expect anything tonight.I want you to know that.”
“I ...uh, I just, I don’t know.It’s a lot.”
He pulled her in close.“And I’ve told you, when you’re ready.”
