Page 39 of The Sweet Talker
“It’s not over yet.”
She stifles a yawn. “No?”
“There’s this payment we need to talk about.”
She chuckles. “Right, how could I forget about that.”
“You’re tired, so I’m going to make it easy on you.”
“Really?”
“You can just lay there. I’ll do all the work.”
“That is awfully sweet of you.”
“What can I say, I’m a damn good boyfriend.”
“I am so lucky.”
“Nah, I’m the lucky one,” I tell her, and mean it from the bottom of my heart. The problem is, though, I want to be more than just her boyfriend.
I just have to figure out how to convince her she wants that, too.
12
Josie
Two days until Christmas Eve:
* * *
“It’s a gorgeous day,” I say as I step back into my loft after taking Mabel for an early morning walk. Last night Brody said he’d take her out and let me sleep in, but he was sleeping so peacefully I didn’t have the heart to wake him, plus he’s been doing so many things for us, it’s only fair I take my own dog out for a walk. She’s my responsibility, not his, and when he leaves, it will be back to just the two of us.
As soon as I realize Brody isn’t in the kitchen, I wince, hoping I hadn’t woken him. I figured he’d be up by now but no, the place is silent so he must still be sleeping. I unleash Mabel and press my finger to my lips, suggesting she be quiet, not that she can understand. Brody is the dog whisperer, not me. That brings a smile to my face but it falls fast. Mabel is going to miss him when he leaves.
I’m going to miss him when he leaves.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
I put on a pot of coffee, and ignore the sinking sensation in my gut. As it percolates, Brody’s voice trickles down the hallway and reaches my ears. Is Brody talking to someone? I quietly walk down the hall and my foot hits the door, opening it an inch.
Brody’s head lifts and pales as he glances at me. My gaze drops to take in my open tablet, balanced on his lap. He quickly shuts it.
“I didn’t realize you were back.” He rakes his fingers through his mess of hair, combing it in place. “You were so quiet.”
I glance at my tablet as he slides it to the side like he’s trying to hide it from me. “I thought you were still sleeping.”
He stretches, and my gaze goes to his T-shirt as it pulls snug over his shoulders. “I just woke up. Checking…uh, the weather.”
I’ve not known him long, but in the few days we’ve spent together, I never once got the sense that he was lying about something. Until now. “Why didn’t you use your phone?” It’s strange that he’d grab my tablet and not his phone, a device he’s not only familiar with but was sitting right next to him. He had to get up to get my tablet from my dresser.
“I couldn’t find it.” He scratches his head and glances around.
“It’s right there, on the nightstand.”
He laughs, but it’s a bit forced and shaky. “I guess I must still be half asleep. Saw your tablet and just grabbed it.”
“What’s it calling for?”