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“Why don’t we just get into the truck, and see where it takes us, yeah?” Please don’t think I’m corny.
Josie smiles widely. “Sure, let me grab my bag and my phone.” She steps aside, quickly running into her house, the wooden screen door slamming behind her as she does. A moment or two later, she emerges, locking the door behind her. She’s got a small brown crossbody leather bag across her chest, her phone in her right hand.
“Ready?” she asks, smiling up at me.
“You bet,” I say. “After you.” I hold my arm out for her to lead the way. She leads me out her garage, flicking off the lights, basking us in darkness before opening the door to lead us out to the warm glow of the early evening.
I open the passenger side door for her, offering a hand to help her into the tall truck. She climbs in, and as soon as she’s buckled, I gently shut the door, and head to my side of the truck. Once I myself am in and buckled, I reverse the truck, heading nowhere in particular.
“I still cannot believe Marley set us up today,” Josie says from the passenger seat.
“To be honest, neither can I. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d been looking for you for a few weeks.” A realization slams into my mind. “Oh shoot, I forgot your alligator clip.”
Josie giggles, the sound sinking right into my chest, warming it like a hot cup of coffee. “You mean my claw clip?”
“Yeah, whatever they call those things.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’ll get it back from you eventually.”
Eventually. My brain and heart stick on that ten letter word, because it means she sees this as more than tonight, right? She wouldn’t say it if she didn’t.
Perhaps I’m getting too far ahead of myself.
I nod, knowing that if I said something my voice would more than likely crack, and I’d look a fool.
“How long have you been friends with Marley?” Josie pulls me out of my little thought bubble.
“Long time,” I say, turning my truck onto the main road that leads toward downtown. “Her family moved next door when we were in elementary school, and the rest is history. She’s my brother Beau’s age, but we've always been close. She has two older brothers, Kenny and Prescott, though we aren’t as close to them. They live a few towns over.”
Josie nods along thoughtfully. “So you two have never…”
“Dated? Hell no. That girl is my little sister, even though she’s older than me.” I spare a glance at Josie, watching her freckled cheeks pinken. “If I ever made a move on her, my brother would murder me. I think they’re the only two who don’t realize they’re meant to be.”
“Wait, really? They’ve never crossed the line?”
“Not that I know of. It’s only a matter of time though. I mean, they’re in their thirties. It’s about time they realize it.”
Josie shakes her head in disbelief. “Maybe they need someone to shove them in that direction.”
“Nah, we’ve tried. It will happen when it happens.”
“You’ve got me invested now,” Josie teases. “I expect updates.” She sucks in a gasp, startling me. “Ooooh, maybe we could come up with a code name or something for them, or ‘Operation get Beau and Marley together at last’.”
I snicker softly. “Yeah, petals, I’ll keep you updated. Though I think we need a better name for it.”
“Yeah you’re right. It’s a bit of a mouthful.” She glances out the window, rubbing her hands up and down her thighs. “Did you decide on somewhere to go?”
I shake my head. “Not yet, just seeing where the evening takes us.”
“Sounds like a plan. Will you get annoyed if I keep asking you questions?”
“Never,” I answer. I reach out, resting my right hand on her thigh, squeezing gently. Her thick thighs might be the death of me. I can see it happening.
“How many siblings do you have?”
“Three. I’m the youngest. Three older brothers. Jason’s the oldest, then Thomas, Beau, and me.”
“Wow, that’s a lot of testosterone.” Josie grins. Her hand rests atop mine on her thigh, and her thumb caresses my skin gently.
