Page 8 of His for the Taking

The trees in the distance will be the perfect area, red maples showing their beauty in the way leaves change in autumn. It’d be perfect for what I have in mind. There’s even a bench, an added feature that wasn’t there when I left town. Truthfully, the whole downtown area has been completely restored, with the historical district stepping in to make sure everything is done in a way that highlights the area instead of taking the beauty away. My walk is slow. Time is not of the essence, a massive change of pace after living in a city. There are a lot of things I’d change about the past eight years of my life, some good and some bad. The bad was definitely staying with Richie for as long as I did, but I guess that’s what happens when you marry someone fresh out of college and he schmoozes you with a charm like you’ve never encountered before. The last year of our marriage was when it finally clicked that I was worth better than his verbal barrage. Kari was also a big part in figuring that out after I watched how Johnny is with my best friend. The good part was definitely learning the do’s and dont’s in life as well as professionally. What I really have to give Chicago credit for is creating a friendship with Kari that’s so strong, even though she’s countries away, we still talk daily. It taught me that I can survive in even the worst circumstances. Becoming a roommate with your future ex-husband makes for a weird strategy, and one I quickly remedied. Thank you, Kari and Johnny. My feet take me to the bench beneath the red maples, a grouping in the center of the street, the pavement wrapping around them in the same red cobblestone that’s on the sidewalks. Some leaves have changed and dropped to the ground. I pick one up, rubbing the leaf between my thumb and forefinger. The texture soothes me, along with the wind swirling through the trees, leaves rustling on the ground. I’m going to sit here and enjoy my coffee.

“Of course, the one time I didn’t want my phone to go off, it does.” I pull my camera from around my neck, setting it beside me and within sight. My coffee is next, and I’m mourning the fact I’ll be putting it down in order to answer a phone. Just once, I’d like to finish my iced coffee with a little bit of peace. Except I’m not the girl who will let an alert go unanswered. I’ll hyper-fixate on it until it’s answered, work or personal. I pull my phone out of the side pocket of my leggings, glance down at the screen, and see a number that’s not programmed in. My phone unlocks with facial recognition, then I read the text message.

Unknown: Hey Kody, this is Jameson Evans. I wanted to apologize as well as thank you for yesterday. I didn’t handle the situation the greatest, and well, Josephine made sure I was aware of that. Thanks again, Jameson.

I roll my eyes. How very Jameson like, acting as if I know another Jameson. So, I do the dumbest thing in the world—I program his name in my phone before typing out a response.

Me: No problem. I can’t say I wouldn’t have been the same in your situation. Please tell Josephine hello for me.

Man, I should have saidyou’re welcomeand left it at that. Clearly, working on being the people pleaser Shaun calls me is rearing its head. Which is why I’m shocked when Jameson texts me again.

Jameson (JoJo’s Dad): I hear you’ll be saying hello to her sometime today. Thanks again.

I have no idea what the hell he is talking about. What I do know is I’m not going to continue conversing with him through text. The last sentence speaks volumes. He was shutting down the discussion, which is more than okay for me. I’m going to finish my coffee, head to the historic district building, and see about setting up a small photo booth.

11

JAMESON

I’m pacing the floors of the house a few days later trying to come up with a plan, nearly at my wit’s end on what to do or how to fucking do it. Mom is working tomorrow. Dad is, too. Matthew will be on a job, same with Shaun, and I’ve got no idea who’s going to watch Josephine while I’m in a meeting. Usually, I’d take her with me, but there’s no way it’ll work this time around. When I’ve got to submit permits to the county, no big deal. Working on a small area to clear, no problem. A meeting with a new client? Yeah, that’s posing a big-as-fuck problem. I run my fingers through my hair, pulling at the ends while trying to come up with a situation that isn’t centered around Kody Goodwin.

“I’ve got one last Hail Mary, and really, I have no idea if she’ll do me a massive favor.” It’s either ask Kody or cancel the meeting, which will be a bitch to do since it’s now eight o’clock at night and the meeting is in less than twelve hours. I pace the length of the kitchen once again, hand tunneling through my hair, my phone taunting me on top of the kitchen counter. I’d text her, except it’s late, and I need an answer immediately. I’m completely fucked. Maybe Emma was right about putting Josephine in school a few days a week. When there were the two of us, it worked. Emma would work from home one day a week, and I’d do similar or take JoJo to work with me if there wasn’t anything going on with new clients.

“Quit being a pussy. Call the woman already,” I give myself one last pep talk, reach for my phone, and pick it up while my thumb enters the code to unlock the device. The goal is to not overthink this shit and not come off as an asshole. When I talked to everyone I could about not having anyone to watch JoJo for me, the answer was always the same: Call Kody. Hell, even Shaun said to ask her. Apparently, she’s not working, and it’s stressing her out. My thumb scrolls through my contact list. Minus family and a few work people I talk to more often than I’d like, there aren’t a whole lot of people saved in my phone. There are too many times I’ll save their contact information, and the next thing you know, they’ve gotten a new number. It was more of a pain than it was worth, which is why Kody’s name is easy to find. I click on it before bringing the phone to my ear.

The line rings a few times, and I figure it’ll be just my luck that Kody sees my number and ignores me. I’d also more than fucking deserve it.

“Hello.” She sounds out of breath when she finally answers my call. Thoughts of what could have her winded plague my mind. An image of her naked in bed, hair down, covering her pretty tits and what I would assume are dusky-tipped nipples, only giving a sneak of what she’s hiding. Feet planted on the mattress, legs spread out, one hand buried between them as the other grips the sheets while she plays with herself.

“Hello? Are you there, Jameson?” Clearly, I took too long to respond, so wrapped up in what she was doing while another fucking fantasy to fuck with my mind had no problem taking root.

“Hey. Uh, yeah. I’m here.” It’s a damn good thing no one is around, because my cock is rock fucking hard and I’m having to resituate myself in order not to have a zipper imprint on my dick. “I know this is out of left field, but I was wondering if you’re available tomorrow.”

“Um, well, that depends on what you need me available for,” she replies with humor. It’s then I realize my plunder. Jesus, not only have a been a grade-A dick to the woman, now it seems like I’m interested in her in a different way. The only way I want Kody is spread open, bent over, or bouncing on my cock. And something tells me she wouldn’t be interested in being a fuck buddy. Hell, she doesn’t seem like the type, and Kody deserves a hell of a lot more after what Mom mentioned.

“Shit, I’m botching this up. I’m in a bind, and well, Josephine likes you, talks about you non-stop. What I guess I’d like to ask is, would you be available to watch her tomorrow while I’m at work?” I look down at the floor, staring at my work-scuffed boots and hoping like hell she’ll help me out.

“Why didn’t you say so from the beginning?" Kody questions with humor in her tone.

“Josephine would really like you to hang out with her instead of going to a meeting where she’s going to have to be seen and not heard. She really does like you better than me most days,” I lay it on thick.

“Jameson Evans, are you using your daughter to get your way?” I’m pretty sure she is laughing at me in her head.

“Don’t you dare tell my momma. She won’t let me live it down, but I’m not above using my daughter if it means you’ll help me. I’d really appreciate it. And hell, maybe you could watch her a few days a week? Contrary to what your brother thinks, I’m not a cheapskate,” I tack on the end in case she thinks I’m asking her to do this for free.

“How early are we talking?” I’m going to have to sweeten the deal, I can tell already.

“Seven, seven thirty. I’ll have coffee made, and Josephine probably won’t get up until closer to nine. So, you could nap on the couch if you wanted.” Should Kody say yes, I’ll wake JoJo up before I go to bed, tell her Kody will be here in the morning and she’ll be in the living room.

“Holy crap, I remember why I’m in the photography business. Everyone starts so early. But yeah, I’ll be there, and I will not nap on the couch. I’m being paid, therefore sleeping isn’t part of the equation. As far as me watching her a few days a week, we should probably see how tomorrow goes first.” At least someone is the voice of reason, since clearly, I’m not. Desperation, that’s what I’ll blame it on today.

“Thanks. You’re doing me a solid, and well, you seem to keep helping me every time I turn around. I’d like to return the favor in some way.” I’m probably going to eat my words, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

“As a matter of fact, I may need your help. I’m doing a mini photo shoot in the downtown area next weekend. Can I borrow Josephine for a few photos and add them to my website?” I don’t respond, too stunned by the favor she’s asking. It’s fucking too simple for how she’s helping me out. “I’d need her to stay until more people come along, and of course, you’d get the images for free.”

“Yeah, Kody, I can do that.” It’s not nearly enough.

“Alright, well, I’ll see you tomorrow. Bright and early. Don’t forget to text me your address.” She doesn’t sound too chipper when she talks about getting here around seven.

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