Page 38 of Unexpected Love

Chapter Twelve

Joe

As the night wears on, I can barely control myself around her. I’ve never had such an amazing date. We’ve been clicking on all levels, and I know for a fact that this will be worth it. I just hope she feels the same.

Dinner at Vaughn’s had been amazing. While she had been getting ready, I called and was able to get us a last-minute reservation. When we stepped inside, the maître d, who couldn’t keep his fucking eyes off Chloe, led us to an intimate table in the corner. He tried to pull her chair out for her, but I gave him a look I hoped conveyed the fact that I didn’t want him touching her or her chair.

She looked at me, and her cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. Chloe ordered a glass of water, and I ordered a beer. She was going to wait until our meals came before she ordered some wine. “I can’t get tipsy before I play.” I could understand that.

“Did anything happen with you and that Hailey after what I told you?” It still pissed me off what happened to her. Women are far meaner than most guys I know.

She shrugged her shoulders. “She’s been overly nice, but I’m sure it’s her guilty conscience. Reggie and Elizabeth have been trying to reach out, but I’m not ready to talk to them yet. What they did, or what Elizabeth did, hurt me and broke my trust.”

My hand slid across the table and covered hers. When will the pain of our loss stop? A part of me wants to put another baby inside of her, but she’s not ready for that yet, and to be quite honest, I’m not ready either. But I will be, and the more I imagine my future, the more I see her there, and any children we’d be blessed to have.

My dad always told me that he knew right away that my mom was it for him—even though at first he got scared and ran. After they finally reunited, that was all she wrote. I was eighteen when I finally got the whole story about what happened with them and why he wasn’t in any pictures until I was over a year old.

“You don’t have to explain to me, babe. What they did was awful, but enough of that talk. How are your parents?” Both men hate me, but who could blame them? I left their daughter when she needed me most. At least her brother has been cool with me, but he seems to be cool with everyone.

“They’re good. They’ve both been really busy with work lately, so I haven’t seen a whole lot of them.”

“What do they do?”

“My dad, Garrett, is an electrician and my dad, Ian, is a physical therapist. Your dad and Dustin own their own company, right?”

I watched her delicate fingers wrap around her glass. “Yeah, with my uncle Luke. My dad was slightly disappointed that I didn’t go into the family business, but law enforcement is my passion. You know what happened to my sister, right?” Chloe nodded her head. “After that, I knew without a doubt that was what I wanted.”

Chloe surprised me by reaching across the table and grabbing my hand. “It may be too soon to say this, but I worry about you. I know being an officer can be dangerous.” She let go of my hand and covered her face. “Oh God. I probably sound like a freak show.” Chloe peeked at me between her fingers, and I laughed softly.

“You don’t sound like a freak show. It’s sweet…really. It’s just nice to know you’re thinking about me when I’m not around.”

Our waiter set our plates in front of us, and Chloe ordered a glass of wine before he left. “Maybe I am.”

“Good, because I think about you all of the time.” Our gazes stayed locked, my pulse pounded, and my dick was hard as a rock. She is so fucking beautiful, and I’m learning more and more that she’s beautiful on the inside, too. “I can’t wait to see you play again tonight.”

“I’m excited for you to see me play.” She cut into her steak and took a bite, moaning softly around the hunk of meat. I worked on my own, not because I was hungry but because I had to distract myself from the delicious little sounds she makes while she eats.

We finished eating our meals and declined dessert since we had to make our way toward the bar. She excused herself to go to the bathroom, and I didn’t miss the appreciating eyes that were all following her as she moved through the restaurant. I couldn’t blame them, but I gripped the table to keep myself from knocking each one of them out.

She came back, and I’d already paid the check, so I stood up and wrapped an arm around her waist as I led her out of the restaurant and to my car. “Thank you for dinner,” she said.

I kissed her temple.

We pulled up and found a spot in the parking lot of Whiskey Bar and Lounge. It’s just a nondescript brick building, nothing to write home about. The moment we walked inside, though, I was in awe—dark wood covers the floor, the tables and chairs are all black and smooth. The bar top is white and almost looks like granite. Bronzed sconces illuminate the room in a soft, romantic glow.

In the corner sits a beautiful black baby grand piano. Next to the piano is a set of French doors that open to a huge terrace that allows us to see downtown Atlanta illuminated.

Now that we’re here, the place isn’t packed, but it’s full. With my arm around her waist, we weave our way through the tables and head toward the bar. My eyes scan the room as she talks to the older man behind the bar. I spot her family as they come walking in and move toward them. I don’t miss the looks of surprise on their faces.

“Joe? What a surprise,” her dad, Ian, says, offering his hand.

I take it and then reach out my hand to Garrett, who reluctantly shakes it. His eyes look thoughtful as he takes me in. “How are you doing, son?”

I don’t miss the meaning behind his words. Leaning in, I murmur, “I’m better, but more so knowing that Chloe is healing.”

His eyes glisten, and I’m worried the guy is going to start crying, but instead he gives me a smile. “She is, thankfully, and I’m glad it’s getting better for you.”

Carter stands off to the side, shaking his head and looking toward the ceiling. “Hey, Carter, how are you? Where’s Eli? I’m surprised he’s not lurking in the corner waiting to kick my ass.”

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