Pen squeezed her fingers. “You have friends now.”
Willa hugged her first, then Pen. She was surprised by how nice these women were. She’d spent two years trying to fit in, wishing she had friends but failing on both accounts. Now with Jump helping her, she had friends, and they were incredibly nice. She couldn’t believe her luck.
Jump was thankful Willa and Pen were good people. Of course he wouldn’t have told them about Blakely or invited them over if he hadn’t known they were nice. Both Cy and Foster had lucked out when they found their women. He only hoped he was half as lucky as they were.
Blakely didn’t look so worried now. Her smiles came faster, and her eyes were bright with happiness as she talked to Willa and Pen.
He liked seeing her smile, which surprised him a little. He’d never gotten as much pleasure watching any woman he’d ever dated. What was it about Blakely that made him so happy? He didn’t really know her. Maybe he needed to get to know her.
She’d told him some stuff about her family which sounded horrible. How could a parent force their children to have sex with strangers? He understood that money was tight for some families, but having kids sell their bodies for money was awful.
“Do you all want to do lunch?”
Cy checked his watch. “We have to head out.”
“Sure, maybe next time,” Jump said. He wished his buddies could spend more time here just so he could watch Blakely with the other women. She seemed happier now after visiting with them.
They said goodbye to his buddies and their women. He shut the door then turned to face Blakely. She looked happy.
“Thank you for arranging that. I’ve been free for almost two years, and I haven’t experienced anything close to friendship. That was nice.”
“I’m glad you got along with them. Cy and Foster are some of my best friends.”
“They seem nice.”
“They are.” He moved to the kitchen, finding some beef patties Wave had told him about made up in the freezer. “We have some beef for hamburgers. Would you like a hamburger for lunch?”
She nodded. “Sure.”
Her answer wasn’t exactly what he expected. She didn’t seem enthused to be eating burgers. It took about ten minutes for the burgers to thaw enough he could get them separated. He cut some vegetables and set them up so he could roast them on the grill.
Grilling meat was an enjoyable task for him. Cooking on the stove wasn’t his favorite way to cook, and he really didn’t like making casseroles, so he rarely ate them. But making a burger or hotdog was fun.
He washed his hands and checked to make sure he had everything out that he needed. After grabbing slices of cheese, he opened the door to his backyard and then turned to Blakely.
“Want to sit outside with me?”
She nodded. “Yes, that would be nice.”
He liked that she helped him carry the food outside. He motioned to one of the two Adirondack chairs on the patio that were miraculously in the shade.
“You can sit there.”
“Are you sure you don’t need me to help?”
“No way. You’re my guest for one, and I love grilling.”
She turned and moved to the chair but didn’t sit. “Are you positive?”
“Absolutely. I can cook for us, and you can rest.”
“Okay, but if you need something.”
“I’ll ask you to help. But I’m fine cooking.”
She dropped into the chair and blew out a breath. “I’m not used to being given time to rest.”
“Get used to it. You are my guest, well, we’re both Wave’s guest. He’s such a good friend. I feel for him.”
