Page 62 of Just Business

She leans across me, grabbing my phone from the nightstand and lays it in my lap.

“Today is the next best day,” she repeats.

Blowing out a breath, I pick up my phone and scroll to the list that Cassie sent me. I scan it until one catches my eye. He’s a specialist with page after page of five star reviews. His next available appointment is next week, and before I can talk myself out of it, I hitBook Appointment.

Setting my phone down, I turn to her. She’s illuminated by the soft light of the moon, nodding. “Remember that night I told you you’re gonna make it through this? I still mean it.” She says it so matter-of-factly. “You’re gonna be okay.”

“And, Austin?” she says, placing her hand on my forearm.

“Yeah?”

“This changes nothing. I’m still all in. I still want an us.”

The next morning, I wake up even earlier than usual—and I’m a pretty early riser. The bedding beside me is a rumpled heap where Austin was and his absence is palpable. In the light of day, I have a chance to really take in my surroundings. I’m curled under a quilt that’s obviously handmade and I pick it up to examine it more closely. I realize it’s a t-shirt quilt from all the ball teams he played on spanning from Little League all the way to college. His walls are covered in Texas Longhorn memorabilia, and sitting on a stand in one corner is a student guitar.

When I rise to slip on a bra, there’s the slightest twinge between my legs from where Austin’s facial hair rubbed against my inner thigh, and a rush of heat winds itself around my spine at the memory. He certainly knew exactly what to do with that mouth of his. With a few deep breaths I push the memory aside so that I can actually function today. I cannot spend the day with his aunt with thoughts of his head between my legs running through my mind.

With quiet steps, I tiptoe down the hallway to the kitchen, trying hard not to wake anyone in case I’m the first one up. But I stop short when I see Ashley already seated at the kitchen table, coffee in one hand and a book in the other. She looks up when she hears me and her mouth tips up into the warmest smile. A mother’s smile. Something twists deep in my heart at that thought.

“Good morning, love. How’d you sleep?”

“Like a rock. Traveling is exhausting and I was beat last night.” I will not let my face betray that the reason I slept like a rock is because her nephew gave me the strongest orgasm I think I’ve ever had in my life.

“Help yourself to some coffee. The creamer’s in the fridge.” Ashley motions with her head to the espresso machine, interrupting my thoughts. It’s a fancy setup and it takes me a minute to figure it out.

“From Austin,” she says, explaining the espresso maker. “He’s constantly showering me with gifts, no matter how many times I tell him to stop.”

I take a sip of my coffee and lower into the chair across from her. “He’s tried to do that with me, too. He bought me this the other day at a festival downtown.” I point to the necklace that I haven’t taken off since Austin clasped it around my neck.

“Oh, that's beautiful! What’s that stone called?” Ashley asks, leaning in to inspect it more closely.

“It’s a moonstone. The artist said it represents new beginnings and, apparently, love.”

“Is that so?” She looks at me, her gaze assessing, and I fight the urge to squirm in my seat.

“I mean, it's just a necklace. I dunno if I believe all that other stuff.” I take a sip of my coffee, attempting to end the conversation.

“Your little town has been good for him. The people in it have, too,” Ashley says, eyeing me over the rim of her mug. Silence stretches between us and then she speaks again. “How much do you know about him?”

My eyes meet hers across the table. I know this isn’t a test. This is her trying to figure out how to proceed with what she wants to say.

“Pretty sure everything.” There’s a light tremor on the edge of my words.

“He’s a sweet boy…” Ashley pauses, chuckling. “Sweet man. Time has really flown. It feels like just the other day he came to live with us, and now he’s a grown man. Mind you, Penny, I don’t play favorites with those three. But Austin needed me more. He was so broken when he moved in with us. He did a pretty good job hiding it as he got older, as most teenagers and young adults do. But over the last few years, I started seeing the hairline cracks in his facade. He got to where he hardly called Brad and me from the road, but we saw pictures. I saw the dark circles under his eyes, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he hit a wall.”

I’m unsure what to say or how to respond, so we sip our coffee quietly. I’m still reeling from Austin’s confessions last night, and Ashley must be able to tell I’m at a loss for words because after a few more seconds she reaches out to rest her hand on mine.

“Don’t give up on him. He’ll find his way back to himself. I have no doubt about it.” Her eyes are glistening, and I give a small smile and nod.

“I have no doubt either.”

We sit with an understanding between us until eventually I reach for a lighter topic to lighten the mood. “I like that author. I haven’t read that one yet.” I motion to the cowboy romance she’s holding.

“Oh, girl. This series just keeps getting better and better.” She puts her hand up to her mouth like she’s telling me a secret. “And, girl, the spice is spicin’ in this one.” She winks and gives me a knowing look.

We both burst into giggles.

“Austin saw my books. He called them ‘kid books.’” I put kid books in air quotes. “You should have seen his face when I told him what they were.” I tell her everything, including how red he turned when he made the connection. “I might have unknowingly thrown you under the bus.”

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