I end the call right as Joey hops into the truck.
She looks sexier than anyone has a right to in a short, white dress covered in small flowers with a pair of brown cowboy boots on.
“Hey, darlin’.”
“Hi.”
Her smile stretches across her face. I want to lean over and kiss her, but in case of any curious eyes, I don’t.
“You’re looking pretty handsome over there.”
“What, this?” I glance down at the old jeans and worn flannel I’m wearing. Nothing fancy. But based on how she’s looking at me, she likes it.
“Yeah.” She digs her teeth into her bottom lip. “You look good.”
I start the truck and pull out onto the street.
“Not as good as you.”
Reaching across, I rest my hand on her bare knee. Her skin is soft and warm as I trace circles into the tender flesh.
“I’m glad you invited me out,” she says.
“Me too.”
“You know…” Joey turns ever so slightly to look at me, clasping her hands over my forearm. I love the contact. Like she can’t be near me and not be touching me.
“What?”
“Chase and Rylee are taking Max on a camping trip in two weeks. The last one before he starts Pre-K in the fall.”
“He’s starting Pre-K?”
“Yes, it’s hard to believe he’s at that age already. He’s been going a few mornings a week to preschool, but going full time will be a big change.”
“That old saying is true. The days are long but the years are short.”
“Yeah. He’s excited to start school, but he’s even more excited about his camping trip with them. S’mores. Sleeping under the stars. Bonfire.”
I look over at her as the road opens up ahead of us. “Are you wanting me to take you camping?”
“God, no.” She laughs. “I hate bugs.”
“How do you handle them on your own?”
“Badly.”
“Well, no camping then,” I state.
“But maybe an overnight together?”
“Yeah?”
“If you want. I’ll be free and have the weekend off work.”
Fuck. My mind is already working. I think I can shift things around to have an uninterrupted weekend with Joey. Being with her without a single care sounds fucking amazing.
“I’ll make it happen, darlin’.”
