“This feels like an interrogation,” Jo said, trying to keep her sense of humor. “Is that what tonight is about?”
Blue met her eyes with a serious gaze. “I’d just like to know. You’re my girlfriend. Tonight is about you and me. I love you, Jo. I want us to get back to where we were.”
There it was again. Where we were.
She flashed a smile, testing him. “What if we jump ahead?”
She loved him. But she was ready for the next step.
“Jo, I didn’t—” He hesitated.
Jo was at a loss for what to do or say now. “I thought you were waiting until Hugo left for university. But that’s been two years now. Blue, you know what I want. Do you want to spend your future with me or not?”
That wasn’t the most romantic of marriage proposals, but it would have to do. She’d hoped he’d do it, but she had to know.
Blue’s face flushed, and he massaged the back of his neck again. “Things have sort of changed, Jo.”
“I’ll say they have.” Feeling the weight of disappointment, she took his plate and rose to do the dishes.
“When will I see you again?” Blue asked, seeming a little lost.
Though tempted to say never, that was unrealistic here on Crown Island. She hadn’t come here to break up, but to give him one more chance.
And he’d blown it.
But neither could she imagine her life with Blue being over. She left the plates in the sink for him to do. She couldn’t stay here any longer.
“I have to go,” she said, holding back tears of anger and frustration.
Blue hurried toward her. “Wait, I’ll take you home. I can’t let you walk home alone, even here.”
Ignoring him, Jo walked out, feeling like she was moving in slow motion in some strange film she didn’t recognize. Blood roared in her ears, blocking whatever he said.
Blue grabbed his keys and caught up with her. He took her hand and led her to his car.
Later that night in her bed alone, Jo stared at the ceiling, tears trickling from the corners of her eyes, her heart shattered. She tried to remember Blue’s last words to her, but she couldn’t.
Everything in her life was moving forward—except her relationship with the man she loved.
8
Jo stared at the mirror in her bathroom, deftly applying makeup to cover the dark circles that appeared under her eyes. She’d hardly slept after the disaster with Blue.
She lifted her chin and spoke to her reflection. “You’re a queen. You’re a goddess. You’re a…mess…” Her voice faded away.
Blue didn’t need to spell it out for her. She had to face the truth. They could continue as they were, and that would be fine for some. She wasn’t judging anyone’s choices.
But for her, she’d always wanted a family, probably because hers had been so dysfunctional. She wanted to do it right—with a man she loved and respected, one who would treat her the same.
If Blue couldn’t do that, it was time to choose herself and follow her version of happiness. She snapped her cosmetic case closed and left for the diner.
The entire day was busy at Cuppa Jo’s. When the flow of customers finally slowed in the later afternoon, Jo changed and left Candy in charge. She’d arranged a meeting with Junie and Maileah after work at the Majestic Hotel.
Jo arrived in the beautifully restored lobby. The soaring ceilings, polished antiques, and potted palms made her feel as if she were stepping into a different world.
Whitley spied her at once. “Welcome. What brings you here today?”
The general manager wore a rose-colored sport coat today. “Hi, Whitley. I’m meeting Junie and Maileah here. They’re helping me cook up a surprise.”
