Page 54 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
Lawson shook his head. “I’m fine.” He glanced around to make sure none of the other students were watching. Then he leaned in for a quick kiss on her lips. “And even better now.”
She angled her body toward him. “Long day?”
“You could say that.”
“Want to talk about it?”
He nearly flinched. “Nope. I’d rather listen to you tell me something good.”
“Okay.” Julie’s face lit up. “I’ve been waiting until I could tell you this in person. I’m going to be offering two different yoga classes at the Veterans’ Center next month. Allison also said I could do a trial Sunday class for kids. And my hourly wage for doing these classes is higher than I made at the gym in Charlotte.”
“Now, that is good news,” Lawson said.
“It won’t take time away from me watching Sabrina, either.”
Seeing how happy she was made him feel slightly better. Her smile was contagious. “Sounds like a celebration is in order.”
Her brows lowered. “A celebration?”
“Yeah. Of course. Celebrate as much and as often as you can. That’s my philosophy. And having more work doing what you love is worth celebrating.” Plus, he didn’t want to be alone right now. When he was alone all he did was think about helicopters. It was a vicious cycle. The more he thought about them, the more anxious he felt. The more he wondered if his career was over, and worried about where that would leave Beth and Sabrina.
With Julie, he didn’t worry about those things.
“Okay. But I can’t stay out too late. It’s a weeknight and I need to watch Sabrina in the morning.”
“Of course.”
“What kind of celebration do you have in mind?” she asked.
A few off-color thoughts ambled through his head. Tonight he only wanted to see Julie smile, though. “Just trust me.”
She hesitated. He hated that. And the guy she’d dated in Charlotte.
“Please,” he said, offering his hand. “You won’t be sorry.”
—
Julie left her car parked in her driveway and climbed into Lawson’s truck to go who-knew-where. That thought made her stomach feel a little uneasy. Here she was again, allowing someone to choose for her. He hadn’t even asked what she’d wanted to do tonight. He’d simply said, “Trust me.”
“I do trust you. But can you at least tell me where we’re going?” she asked now, sitting beside him in his truck.
Lawson slid a sexy glance in her direction. It made her want to throw caution to the wind. But she couldn’t. “Not one for surprises?” he asked.
“No, I love surprises. I just also like to make my own choices.”
He shook his head. “Your ex really messed with your head, didn’t he?”
She hugged her arms around her body, hating that the answer to that question was yes. Hating that she couldn’t just relax and allow Lawson to take her wherever he pleased. Doing so wouldn’t mean that she didn’t have an opinion.
He scratched his chin as he turned onto Seaside Drive, a scenic road that led to Seaside’s touristy downtown area and pier. “I can’t fix what that scumbag did on your last birthday, but I happen to know that the bakery and ice cream shop here serves chocolate cake.”
Her heart melted a little at the mention of cake, and at the fact that Lawson was trying to make up for Daren’s mistakes. “Chocolate cake?”
“Um-hmm. It’s such a nice night, I thought we could take it out on the pier. Maybe sit on one of those benches and relax.”
She was sorry she hadn’t let him surprise her. “That’s very sweet.”
He scrubbed a hand over his cheek as if she’d slapped him. “A few nights ago you were calling me sexy. Now I’m sweet.”
