Joey reaches behind the couch, rubbing my shoulder. “Thank you, Sam.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Tomato liked it.”
“I’m glad he did,” Joey tells Max. “I’m going to go get some crackers.”
“Let me get them,” I say, jumping off the couch.
“I can manage some crackers, Sam.”
She follows me into the kitchen, but I still get them for her. “Will you let me take care of you?”
My voice is barely above a whisper. Max is too focused on the show to hear us.
“I don’t want to get you sick.”
I take a step closer and press my lips to her forehead. “Doesn’t matter, darlin’. Iwantto help.”
Her eyes flutter shut, lashes brushing against her cheeks. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman—for her and Max. I don’t give a shit if I get sick. It’d be worth it to make her life a little bit easier right now.
“You’re too good to me.” Her hands rest against my chest as she leans in closer to me.
“Only giving you what you deserve.”
“Most people wouldn’t.”
I growl. “That’s because you haven’t found the right person.”
I should be thankful for the idiot who stood her up at thediner. That no other guy before me worked out. Because otherwise I probably wouldn’t be here right now.
“I just might have,” she whispers.
It’s so soft, it’s like I imagine hearing her say it.
She grabs the crackers, giving me a smile before taking a spot next to Max.
Yeah, I just might have too.
Chapter Twenty-Two
JOEY
Walking toward The Dusty Spur, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Considering I just left home and it’s my dad, worry surges through me.
“Is everything okay?” I answer immediately.
“Why would you assume everything isn’t okay?” He laughs.
“I left home only a few minutes ago,” I say.
“Max wanted to say good night to you.”
I smile, stopping in front of the bar. “Put him on.”
I hear the shuffling over the line before his sweet voice greets me. “Hi, Mommy.”
“Hi, Baby. Are you being good for Grandma and Grandpa?”
