I want to purr but don’t. “You’re not forgiven yet.”
“If I have to get on my knees to, you know, beg for forgiveness. I will.”
When he nibbles on my ear, I can’t take it. Turning in his arms, I run my fingers through his hair, get up on my tiptoes, and kiss the ever-loving hell out of him. “Asshole,” I say between kisses.
“Agreed. You’ll need to punish me later.”
I can’t help it. I giggle, which quickly turns into a full-blown laugh.
“I’m so glad one of us is happy today.”
I jump away from Billy in time to see my mom step onto the basement floor.
“Mom, I—”
“No.” She waves me off. “I didn’t come down here to fight. I’ve got enough of that to deal with right now.” She holds her hand out to me, and I see money. “Take this. Give it to Julie to help with expenses.”
“I’m okay, Mom.”
“I know you had to pay for the doctor yesterday. Take it. Ease my guilt over that. It’s the least you can do.”
God, why does she have to say shit like that?
“Fine.” I take the cash and shove it into my bra. I have no idea how much it is. It could be forty bucks or a million. It doesn’t matter. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome.”
I step closer to her to give her a hug, but she’s already turned to go. “Drive safe,” she says as she takes the first step up. “Dad will enjoy having his man cave back.”
And with that, she’s gone.
“God, I need a drink.” Or twelve.
“Once we get to my place, I’ll make you something,” Billy promises.
“Good. Make it a double, sexy bartender.”
“You think I’m sexy?” He actually looks surprised.
I scoff because, duh. “You know you’re sexy. Don’t trawl for compliments. It’s doesn’t suit you.”
“You’ve known me for two days. Maybe I was an ugly duckling and compliments now and then are nice to hear.”
“Oh.” I turn to face him. “Were you?”
He laughs. “No. I’ve been hot since I left the womb.”
Good thing I had a shoe in my hand because it gave me something to throw at him. “Jerk.”
“That’s sexy jerk to you, beautiful JoJo.”
Ignoring all of that, I close the lid on my suitcase and press down on it so I can zip it. “Can you take the plastic tub over there?” I point to a blue box with a green lid near the man-bath.
“Sure. You ready to go?”
“I just want to tell my dad goodbye.”
With the car loaded, Billy waits in the driver’s seat while I head into the garage. I knew I’d find Dad there. “Daddy, I’m leaving.”
