Page 53 of Fever

Chapter Fourteen

Josiah didn’t go to work. Nor did he see Samantha Lean. We spent the entire day together watching movies, being flirty, and talking about our plan for the family barbeque this weekend. After eating dinner, Josiah had prompted the question about why I’d taken a leave of absence from work. Needless to say, he was more than upset when I gave him the answer.

“You’re finding another job,” he demanded.

“Josiah, it’s not that simple.”

“Yes, it is. I’ll call in some favors.”

I pursed my lips and strolled up to him.

“You’re so sweet, but I don’t want you to do that. I’d feel responsible if you owed anyone anything.”

“Santana, the last thing I care about is owing someone a favor when my lady is being harassed at work. What would you have me do, beat his ass or call in a favor?”

Josiah had just rattled me even more. I didn’t think he even noticed that he had called me his lady. Or maybe he did, and he was just keeping up with our plan. I couldn’t deny that his protectiveness turned me on. The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted only him. For real.

“Tell me this,” I began, “what should we tell our close friends about us? I’m asking because last night at The Dream Lounge Carla showed me a picture of us on social media. We were at the restaurant going to our table. They all wanted to know what was up with you and me. So, what should I tell them?”

“What did you?”

“I told them we were just friends and if there were anything more, they’d know when I knew.”

“Good diversion.” He chuckled wryly.

“When we get to this barbeque, we won’t be able to hide our relationship. So should we just let them assume we’re together?”

“I think so,” he said. “And I should also meet your parents.”

Taken slight back, I stuttered, “My-my parents?”

“Yeah,” he crooned. “That’s what people do when they get serious about each other, right?”

I gave him a quick smile, “Right…”

“You don’t want to tell them?”

“No. I mean, I didn’t think that part through.” I tapped my top lip with my finger in thought. Suddenly my stomach was in knots, and I wasn’t feeling so well. When it came to Barbara and Nathan Summers, they had asked me for years when would I start dating someone. I think at one point in time my mother thought I was gay. But I was focused on my career and men were at the bottom of the totem pole.

“You look sick,” Josiah said. “I get the feeling you’re not happy about me meeting your parents.”

“It’s not that, it’s just… I know they’ll be excited. They’ve waited a long time for me to bring a man home.” The thrill in my voice dropped. “I just always thought it would be tangible and not counterfeit.”

Josiah placed his hands on my shoulders and drove them up my neck to cup my face. “What you’re doing for me, Santana, is bigger than you’ll ever know. I don’t want you to worry about bringing home a fake boyfriend,” he said. I gave him a questionable look. “Let’s make it official.” Josiah took my hand and led me to the couch where we sat.

He leaned toward the end table and lifted the notepad and pen that sat on top. I watched him scribble something down then he handed the note to me. The words Will you be my girlfriend? were written, with Yes and No beneath it, each with a check box. I threw my arms around my waist and giggled.

“Josiah,” I laughed, “what is this?” I held the notepad out with a cheerful smile on my face.

“What does it look like? I asked you a question.”

I laughed some more and covered my mouth at the serious expression on his handsome features.

“You’re so sweet,” I said. “You don’t have to ask me to be your girlfriend to keep my parents happy.” I giggled more at his cute attempt to make our situation lighter.

“But I want you to be my girlfriend, Santana.”

My laughter faded, and I sat up straight, trying to grasp if he was joking.

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