Page 36 of The Sweet Talker
“What are you up…” She lets her words fall off and shakes her head. “Six foot two, right. Fine, let’s go, but you know I don’t like surprises.”
“You’ll like this one,” I tell her and pull her into my arms for a kiss. Our mouths linger, and when she exhales, I realize just how tired she is. “I’m sorry, Josie. We don’t have to go. I didn’t stop to think that you’ve worked your ass off all day.”
Her hand touches my cheek. “You are the sweetest, and I want to go wherever it is you want to take me.”
Oh, if she only knew.
“Okay, finish doing what you need to do here, and I’ll grab Mabel.”
“I love how much you like including her in everything.”
“I’m such a great boyfriend,” I tease. “Besides, I love Mabel as much as I…” I catch myself before I finish that sentence, and my heart crashes in my chest as Josie stares up at me, her eyes narrowed, intense, and I shoot up a silent prayer of thanks that I didn’t blurt out that I loved her. The last thing I want to do is spill my guts and scare her off.
Love her?
Yeah, I’m afraid that just might be true. But that scares me so much. I take a breath to pull myself together.
“Are you okay?” she asks and puts her hand on my arm.
“Yes,” I answer quickly. “I just mean I love Mabel. She’s such a sweet dog.”
She opens her mouth, her brows knitted together like she’s working through something. She glances down, and when her eyes lift to mine again she says, “Okay, you head on up to get her and I’ll be right behind you in a second.”
I hurry up the stairs and Mabel barks at the sound of my footsteps. I swing open the door and grin. It’s so nice to be greeted by someone who is truly happy to see you. Bending, I give her an ear rub and in return get a big wet tongue across the face. I wipe away the wetness with my sleeve.
“We need to work on your greetings, girl.” I check her bowl, give her fresh water and some food. When I’m done, I turn to find Josie standing there, a huge smile on her face as she takes the frame off the window sill.
“Brody…you did this?”
“Yeah, do you like it?” God, I sound so needy.
“I love it.” She smiles at me, and my heart thumps. “This was so sweet of you.” She throws her arms around me. “Thank you.”
“I spotted it at the pharmacy, and thought you’d like it. You don’t have many pictures around.”
She backs up, and goes thoughtful. “You’re right, I don’t. It’s not that I don’t want pictures. I just haven’t really had the time.”
I put my hand on her waist and tug her to me. “Did you lose photos when you lost your phone.”
“No.”
I exhale and under my breath say, “Thank God.”
She crinkles her nose. “What?”
“Nothing, I’m just glad you didn’t lose anything.”
She turns but not before I catch the sadness in her eyes, and she mumbles, “I don’t know if I’d say that.”
“Josie?”
She tugs her coat from the closet and turns my way, a smile on her face. “Nothing, let’s get out of here. I could use some fresh air after a crazy day.”
My pulse drums in my throat, and I want to press, want to ask what she lost, but it’s clear she doesn’t want me to push when she leashes Mabel up and heads to the stairs. I follow behind, an uneasy knot in my stomach. Maybe I could leave her phone somewhere that she could find it. But that would be wrong and deceitful. I tug the door shut behind us and follow her down the stairs, my mind racing and searching for solutions.
After Mabel does her business, we all pile into the car, and Josie rests her head against the seat, a small smile on her face as she turns to me.
“Thanks for getting me out of the house.” Her hand slides across the seat and she touches mine. “I’m looking forward to my surprise.”