Page 26 of Just for Him
Between the information Joel had been able to provide and that of the guy on parole, Slash wouldn’t be seeing the light of day anytime soon. He was twiddling his thumbs in a holding cell while the DA drafted a laundry list of crimes against him. And the hot water Slash found himself in was just getting deeper and deeper as many of his so-called “loyal followers” were only too happy to rat him out to save their own heinies.
By the time they finished, we were all stuffed and tired. It had been a very long and eventful day all around. I wasn’t complaining, though. Joel was back on a good path, and I felt as if Vinnie and I had turned a few corners, too.
I gave Joel a pass on helping with the dishes, and unsurprisingly, he didn’t argue. I gave Vinnie a pass, too, but he picked up a dishtowel and helped anyway. In addition to being sexy, brave, and an incredibly good man, he was a boss at doing dishes. He laughed when I told him so, crediting growing up in a restaurant for honing his skills.
I jokingly asked if he could enroll Joel in a similar training program, but Vinnie was completely serious when he readily agreed.
“A job will be good for him,” Vinnie said. “It will teach him responsibility, time management, discipline. Plus, what kid doesn’t like having a couple extra bucks in his pocket?”
I couldn’t argue with him there. Working my way through school had given me an appreciation for the value of a dollar and a sense of accomplishment I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Besides, as much as I hated to admit it, having Joel earn some money on his own would help us both out. Things were going to be pretty tight financially until I found more work. Once I got back to school and earned my degree, things would be better, but until then, I was only qualified for lower-paying positions.
“Think there’s a waitressing job there, too?” I joked ruefully. “I know a girl.”
Chapter Twelve: Vinnie
Ihad to admit I likedthe idea of Haven working at Mama C’s. She would be well taken care of and, at that point, I was pretty sure she would eventually be part of the family. It was still the early days, but some things a guy just knew. I didn’t need myCupido-playing grandfather or my matchmakingmadreto tell me I had found the right one. Which reminded me ...
“I know there is,” I told her. “But right now, I know someone who needs you more.”
I told her about my grandfather’s bookstore and how desperate the situation had become with my grandmother staying with Great-aunt Flo. The more I talked, the more the interest in her eyes grew.
“It sounds perfect,” she said. “Too good to be true, in fact. Just like you.”
I didn’t think she meant to say that last part out loud, not if the way her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed were any indication. I probably should have just let it go, but I couldn’t.
“Too good to be true, huh?” I said, stepping up close and pulling her into my arms. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”
“Yeah, right,” she scoffed.
“You don’t believe me?”
“Let’s just say, not too many men would look at me and think ‘great catch’.”
“Then they are idiots,” I told her. “Because that’s exactly what you are. You’re beautiful and smart and funny and kind. Giving and genuine and compassionate and—”
“Okay, okay.” She laughed softly. “I get the point.” Then she looked up at me with those pretty eyes. “How do you always know just the right thing to say to make me melt inside?”
