Jo tells me about her job, her friends, and her kids. With eachstory about her kids, her face lights up with pride. I bet she’s a fantastic mother to them. The one thing that doesn’t come up is the kids’ father. Surely, if Jo wanted me to know about him, she’d mention it, so I stay quiet on that topic, even though my mind is filled with questions. If it were up to me, I’d have plenty of time to get to know every part of Jo’s life.
“Listen,” I say, pulling out my phone. “I’d love to spend more time with you. Let me give you my number. If you need anything, call.”
Something crosses Jo’s features, a wistful expression I think. But then it’s shuttered so quickly I think I might have imagined it. “I won’t need anything.” Her tone shifts, flat and final. My heart sinks at her words even as I see what she’s doing. This stubborn woman. But I’m nothing if not patient.
“Please, Jo. Take it.”
After a second’s hesitation, she rises and walks to the front door, grabbing her phone from the table beside it and turns to face me.
“555-876-9830.”
She taps the screen, and when she’s finished she looks up.
“Can I have yours?” I ask.
“I told you, I won’t need anything,” she persists.
I inhale a slow breath and step closer to her. “Your number, Jo. Please.”
She hesitates. Then finally, she taps out a quick message and my phone buzzes.
Unknown
I won’t need anything.
It’s clear I’ll have to handle this situation delicately. Having no idea about her life, I’m unsure why she’s so adamant she won’t need anything. Everyone needs something, and I’d love to be the person she calls on. This won’t be easy, but I’m not walking away from her. Not after spending years consumed by what ifs and if onlys.
“All right. I better get going,” I say quietly. “You’ve got my number.” I hold up my phone, giving it a little shake. “I hope I can see you again.”
I turn toward the door, but before I step outside, I pause and say the words that have been on the tip of my tongue since I laid eyes on her. “You’ve only gotten more beautiful. I don’t know how that’s even possible.” My eyes trace the length of her before rebounding back to her face. “But you have.”
I walk to my SUV, absolutely certain of one thing. No matter how much time has passed, my heart still pounds like it knows she’s important. Jo still infiltrates every part of my being. This woman…she’s special, and this time I’m not letting her go. This time we’ll get it right.
Swiping to Austin’s contact, it only rings once before he picks up, like he was sitting waiting to hear from me.
“I need a more permanent place to stay,” I say. “I’m not leaving.”
Austin’s amused chuckles sound through the phone. I don’t know what he thinks is so damn funny.
“Think Henry would know of any rentals?”
Henry is Austin’s Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor. Austin thinks the world of him, always telling me stories about Henry’s meddling, poking his nose in other people’s business. If anyone knows of a rental, it’s probably him.
“I’ll give him a call.”
While I wait to hear back from Austin, I drive up one street and down the next. I don’t know what it is about a small town, but I’d take this place any day over city after city on the road with Austin. He’s adapted well here, and I can see myself calling this place home.
My phone rings and I tap the answer button.
“He thinks there might be an apartment available over the bar.”
I groan and close my eyes. Of course it would be over a bar with noise long into the night.
“If it is, tell him I’ll take it.”
Austin huffs a laugh through the phone. “Seriously, man?”
“Seriously.”
