AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good,” Josie answers. “I’m trying to narrow it down between two. One of them was really great, local, and sweet, but it sounds like she wants more hours than I can offer her, with limited availability.”
“What about the other?”
“She was good too, she didn’t seem as interested in the position, but she had really good availability. It’s going to be hard to decide, especially with the event I need them for a week away.”
“Is your gut telling you to pick one over the other?”
“No, and that’s what’s irritating. Normally I have a gut feeling with these types of things, but I can’t get a read on what it’s telling me,” her voice is frustrated, and I can see the furrowed lines of her forehead from where she rests on my chest.
“You’ll figure it out,” I murmur. Leaning down, I press a kiss to her forehead, smoothing out the frown lines with my thumb.
“Hey now, what are the tears for?” I murmur. “You’re okay. Don’t cry, petals.” I swipe away her wet tears.
Josie nods, hugging me tightly. “I’m sorry, I’m extra emotional today. I don’t even know why I’m crying? My period is coming, and I always cry at the stupidest stuff.”
“Josie, this isn’t stupid. It’s stressful, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here for you, and I’ve got your back. Okay?”
“Okay,” she whimpers. I can tell she’s trying to stop her flowing tears. Her bottom lip quivers and she bites down on it, hard. With a few deep breaths, she stops crying. “I think I’m better now.”
“Good.” I tug her bottom lip free from her teeth, kissing it softly. “Now, what are we making your parents for dinner tomorrow?”
30
JOSIE
“Hello?” Tessa’s voice answers the phone after one ring, like she’s been sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring.
“Tessa?”
“Yeah, hi, Josie.”
“So…” I say. “How are things?”
“Things are good. I’m glad you finally called. I’ve been sick over this, and us not talking.”
I sink into the couch next to Andrew. He finally convinced me to call her, promising not to leave my side.
“Me too. I’m sorry I reacted the way I did, but really, I needed some space to think, Tessa. Can you blame me for feeling a little blindsided?”
“No, I guess not. It just hurts that you’re shutting me out like this.”
“I’ll be fine, I just… needed the time.” It does feel good to talk to her again. “How’s everything going?”
She understands what I’m really asking. How’s Zack?
“It’s… really good, actually. I moved in last week, and we’ve been talking about getting engaged.”
“Wow, really?” I say. That’s fast.
“Yeah, we went and picked out rings the other day, so it’s only a matter of time. He wants me to lose a little weight before the engagement, and wedding though, so I need to get on that.”
My throat squeezes. “He wants you to lose weight?”
She answers, her voice ever so nonchalant. “Yeah, but he’s right. I should be looking my best for photos.”
“Tessa, you don’t need to lose weight, you’re a perfect, healthy weight.” He’s doing the same thing to her that he did to me, and she doesn’t see it.
“We’ll see. There’s a dress I’d really love to get, but I need to lose fifteen pounds to get it.”
