Page 39 of Moving to Love
Jeremiah opened a drawer in the kitchen and handed her a garage door opener. “Keep this with you. Come and go as you like. I’ll have a key made today. Your bike is fine at the shop. I’ll run you home this morning on my way.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you.”
* * *
* * *
* * *
At 7:30 that evening, they were in Jeremiah’s truck heading to The Barn. It had been a beautiful day, but still a little cool in the evening, so they opted for the truck instead of the bike. As soon as they walked into The Barn, Kevin waved at them as he was serving customers at the far end. Jeremiah held Joci’s hand as they walked to the opposite end and took a seat. Kevin finished with his customers and headed their way. Jeremiah got up and walked behind the bar to ‘man hug’ Kevin. Kevin looked at Joci, a big smile on his face.
“How ya doin’, Joci?”
She couldn’t help but giggle. “I’m great, Kevin, how are you?”
Kevin held out his arms and looked up. “Livin’ the dream, darling.”
She giggled. Kevin got them their drinks. “At eight o’clock, I have a bartender coming in so we can sit and shoot the shit. My girlfriend, Kathy, is coming in as well.”
Joci smiled. “That’s great. I’m looking forward to meeting her and chatting.”
They sat at the bar talking, and suddenly Kevin’s face lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Hey, baby, give me some lovin’.” He stretched his arms wide as his smile lit up the room.
A beautiful redhead walked around the end of the bar and wrapped her arms around Kevin, and he swung her around. Jeremiah chuckled at Kevin’s display. They were a fascinating couple.
Kevin turned toward Joci. “I want you to meet Kathy. Kathy, this is Joci James, Dog’s girlfriend.”
“Kevin’s been excited all weekend that you were coming in to visit. It’s very nice to meet you,” she said.
Kathy reached over the bar and shook her hand, and Kevin pointed them all over to the corner of the bar where there was a fireplace and a couple of sofas.
They grabbed their drinks from the bar and made themselves comfortable on a sofa while Kevin and Kathy got drinks for themselves.
Kevin and Kathy joined them. Joci admired Kathy. She was beautiful, with long red hair, bright blue eyes, a vivacious personality, and a killer body. But she was also genuinely sweet and pleasant to be around. She practically sat on top of Kevin.
Joci asked Kevin, “How did you and Jeremiah meet?”
Kevin laughed. “I met Dog years ago at another bar I was managing. He was on his bike, and it had started pouring rain outside. Dog stopped in to wait for the rain to stop, and we struck up a conversation. From there, we became fast friends.” Kevin inclined his head at Jeremiah.
Jeremiah tightened his jaw. He had picked up a woman in the bar that night. Something Joci didn’t need to hear.
Kathy leaned forward, winked, and said, “They had to kiss a lot of frogs to find us, Joci.”
Joci smirked. “I suppose you could look at it that way.”
Jeremiah shot Kevin a look, and Kevin took the cue. “Dog, are you ready to shoot some pool?” Jeremiah leaned over and kissed Joci on the temple.
“If you’re ready to have your ass kicked, I am,” he said, laughing.
* * *
Kathy came over and sat on the sofa next to Joci. “Holy crap, Joci. I’ve never seen Dog so head-over-heels. How did you wrap him up so quickly?”
Joci sighed. “I don’t know that I would say wrapped up. We’ve known each other for close to a year now. Just recently we moved into a relationship.”
Kathy laughed out loud. “I would definitely say ‘wrapped up.’ He can’t take his eyes off you. He’s always touching you, and the fact that he wanted us to meet you says a ton.”
