Page 43 of Unexpected Love

“Yeah, why?” He hates when I worry about him.

“I don’t know. I guess just checking on you. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own shit lately that we haven’t talked about you.”

He pulls me into a hug. “Hey, you’ve had some serious stuff going on. There is seriously nothing going on with me. I’m pretty boring these days. If that changes, I’ll let you know.” He’s such a good guy, and I hope he finds someone to love and someone who will love him like he deserves.

I kiss his cheek before climbing inside my car. He waves me off before jogging back to Robby’s Explorer.

Once I’m home, I have nothing to do, so I clean my house from top to bottom. It takes me all afternoon, but everything is sparkling. Of course, as soon as my cats walk through the house, cat hair will be everywhere again.

Picking up my phone, I know it’s too early to call Joe. He’s working a split shift and won’t be off until nine o’clock. We have plans to watch a movie after that, and by watching a movie, I mean that we call each other, turn on the same movie at the same time, and comment on the flick.

It’s actually a lot of fun, and usually we pick something that we’ve both seen but that we love. Step Brothers is on the agenda for later, and it’s our favorite.

***

I laugh into the phone as Joe quotes the line from the movie where Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly decide they’re best friends. “I miss you,” I blurt out.

His chuckle warms me. “Awww…I miss you too, baby, but you’ll be here next weekend. My mom and sisters are excited to see you. They want to steal you and take you to lunch Saturday. I hope that’s okay; if it’s too much, I can tell them you’ll go out with them another time.”

“No, that’s fine. You mom and sisters are seriously sweet. So tell me about this party that you’re taking me to.” I’m nervous about hanging with his friends. They’re all in their early twenties, and I’m in my early thirties…what could I possibly have in common with any of them?

“It’s just some friends from high school. It’ll be a good time, I promise.” I don’t completely believe that, but I’ll go and hope I have a good time.

“I’m looking forward to meeting them. Umm…I have something to tell you.” I’ve been dying to ask him about dancing.

“What?” he asks slowly.

“Oh God, that didn’t sound right. I’ve seen a certain video of a certain someone dancing.”

“I’m gonna kill Violet.”

“No, don’t. I wasn’t supposed to tell, but you were so good.”

“Thanks. Not many people other than family know about it. Violet asked me to do it, and I couldn’t say no to her. Plus it was for our grandma.”

“Do you still have the tap shoes and that fedora?”

He chuckles. “Mmmm…I might be able to find them. Are you going to be the dirty dance instructor?”

I feel my cheeks heat up. “Yeah, or maybe you’re the dance instructor and I’m the naughty student who just can’t get it right.”

His answering groan makes me smile. “Oh baby, I like that so much better.” He clears his throat. “What are you wearing?” His question throws me off guard.

“Um—I’m wearing a blue tank top and little white shorts. What are you wearing?”

“Basketball shorts and no shirt.”

I moan because I can just picture how sexy he looks. “No shirt, huh? I don’t believe you.”

“Oh yeah? Give me two seconds.” I hear a rustling sound. Then he gets back on. “Check on your phone.”

I put him on speaker, pull up the text he just sent, and groan. He’s reclining on his bed with his free arm behind his head. His delicious muscles and tattoos are on display for me. “You know I don’t think I’ve ever really looked at your tats. Next time I see you, I think I’m going to have to rectify that.”

“You will and I’ll let you. Now it’s your turn. Send me a picture.”

“Okay, give me a second.” I get up, racing into the bathroom and looking at myself in the mirror. I don’t look too shabby for having no makeup on. I quickly let my hair down and shake it out. It’s totally sex hair, and I pull my tank top down a little to show off cleavage. I grab the hem and pull it up a little to show off my stomach.

A sharp pain hits me in the heart. I place my palm over my lower abdomen as a wave of sadness washes over me. Blinking rapidly, I stop the tears from falling. I take a deep breath and get myself under control. In front of the mirror, I put my hand on my hip, flash the rock ’n’ roll devil horns, and stick out my tongue. Quickly, I snap the picture and send it to him.

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