Page 24 of The Other Room

Her lips pressed into a thin white line and I welcomed the smile begging to be let free. When she gave in, the soft sounds of her laugh, her full laugh, were more melodious than the music playing behind us.

Because you haven’t heard it in over a year.

“I could take her,” she said between laughs.

“Damn straight you could. Hell, you could take me and I’m like twice your size.”

Her laugh deepened, and she flexed her small bicep then faked a snarl. “And don’t you forget it. Next time you mess up it’s not going to be Jake pummeling you into a bloody pulp. I’ll happily take my turn.”

My laugher sputtered off and regret crept back over me like a shroud I couldn’t seem to shed.

“Sorry.” She grimaced and her laughter sputtered out. “Force of habit.”

“It’s okay.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Jenna is right. I have to find it in my heart to forgive you. I mean, you have been an incredible friend for the majority of my life. Then you made a mistake. A big mistake – but only one.”

The unexpected information swirled between my ears. “Yeah? You really think you can forgive me?”

“I’m going to try, Matt. I promise I am.”

I basked in her words, feeling the tug of hope in the center of my chest. “Good. I missed this, Jo. Us. Just hanging out.”

“Yeah,” she said on a sigh. “I suppose I did, too.”

Angie arrived with our beers and slid mine in front of me with a seductive grin. “Just let me know if you need anything at all.”

Jo’s groan rolled out of her full pink lips before she shoved her bottle of beer between them to stop it.

“Thanks, Angie.” I took my beer and turned away from her as quickly as I could, hoping it gave her the hint. Tonight was about Jo... and only Jo.

“Anything at all.” She winked again.

Nope. Still didn’t get the hint.

“So,” I said, changing the subject. “I have news.”

“Yeah? What kind of news?” Jo asked.

“I got a job offer today. Down at the Sister Bay Marina. I’ll be renting boats and jet skis.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. Ran into Ted Anders when I went fishing there today. Remember him?”

“Yep. Jill’s dad, right? Your old fishing buddy.”

Noise buzzed around us, so I leaned in closer. “That’s the one. Well, he’s managing the boat rental and needs a body who knows their way around boats.”

“You certainly fit the bill.”

“Yeah. I think it will be good. I called my boss in Baileys Harbor today and gave him the news. Turns out I got lucky and there are a few people lined up who want my job, so I can start the new one by the end of the week.”

She angled her torso toward me, and I fought the itch to drape my arm around her. “That’s awesome, Matt. Driving to Baileys Harbor every day is a serious pain in the ass. That’s why I left the Blue Ox for JJ’s.”

“Exactly. And now I can spend my days on the water and fish when it’s slow.”

“That’s pretty perfect for you. Lucky you went fishing today.”