Page 19 of Finding Home

Biting my lip, I can’t fight the smile spreading across my face. Glancing at the clock, I see I have just enough time to check in with Bree, before picking up Lizzie, to be back before five. Walking into The Toasted Bean, I spot Bree cleaning up some broken glass. My eyes are darting around, looking for the source, wondering if the storm hit a window.

“This isn’t from the storm, just me trying to carry too much at once,” Bree states with a self-deprecating look on her face. “Everything good at your place?”

“Depends on what you mean by good.” I laugh.

“That’s got my interest piqued.”

“The storm took out a huge branch on that tree in front of the house. It came down on the roof, tearing a nasty hole. Luckily, Lizzie was in my bed and not in her room. Otherwise, it would’ve been much worse.”

“Yeah, I’d say you had some excitement today then. Do you have anyone scheduled to fix it? I’m not super handy but willing to do what I can. I think I have some tarps or drop cloths from when we remodeled the shop.”

“You’re sweet, but that’s actually where things took a turn today. I decided to try to patch it myself.”

“Stupid choice!”

“Rude!” I glare at her, then laugh. “But true. My ladder tipped and I was hanging from the gutter when Jace showed up like Superman.” Bree fans herself, acting like she’s gonna swoon. “My thoughts exactly. After he chewed my ass out for being reckless, I was about to jump his bones all hot and bothered, when the plywood that knocked me off the roof fell and hit Jace.”

“Shit! Is he okay?”

“He says he is. I plan to check in when he comes back out tonight.”

“Ooooh, he’s coming out tonight? Do y’all finally have a date planned?” Bree is such a romantic, and for once, I find myself having similar thoughts.

“No, he’s coming out to do a better patch job on the roof until someone can properly fix it and likely replace the roof. But Bree, I’m totally screwed. I thought watching him chop logs was sexy, but it was nothing compared to seeing him on the roof. When he whipped his shirt off, I nearly came in my pants.” Bree shrieks, pumping her fist in the air.

“Please tell me this is the part of the story when things get good!” she yells dramatically.

“Other than me getting off in the shower, the story ends.”

“Ugh, but tonight, surely you’ll give in tonight, right, finally say yes?”

“Bree, he might not even ask. Do you know how many times I’ve turned him down at this point? What if I’ve missed my chance?” The last part comes out so pouty and gloomy. “Plus, I have a lousy track record with guys.”

“You have picked some doozies. Which guy was the one that cried out mommy when he came?”

“That was good ol’ Jamie. He also gave me a high five after each time.”

“I still can’t believe you slept with him again after the first time.”

“I had to see if it was a weird fluke or just him. Sadly, it was just him.” Tears are streaming down Bree’s face. My brief time with Jamie is her favorite rerun.

“Yeah, he was special, but I’m not just talking about him. Most guys run as soon as they find out I’m a mom. The couple that stuck around and met Lizzie…well, one ran for the hills, and asshat Colby asked, ‘What’s her problem?’” That had broken me, hearing someone talk about Lizzie like that.

“First,” Bree says, pointing a finger in my face, “I wish you had let me kick Colby in the nuts. He should not procreate, but at least I spit in his drink at the bar last month.” I huff a laugh at the memory. After spitting in his glass, we sat in a booth and watched him drink it while laughing our asses off. In our defense, he is a royal douche, and we had started the night with tequila shots, so our decision-making skills weren’t the best, and our moral compasses might not have been pointing due north.

“Second, Jace isn’t Jamie. No matter how close the names are. And Jace knows you're a mom. He’s met Lizzie and still seems more than interested. Maybe it’s time for you to make the move. Ask him for what you want and need. At least have a conversation about it?”

“Oh, yes, and how would that go? Hi, Jace, thank you so much for helping. By the way, I got myself off in the shower today to images of you working on my roof. Wanna reenact it tonight in my bed cause this momma’s so horny she can’t stand it, and my trusty vibrator just ain't cutting it?”

Someone coughs and I freeze. Bree’s eyes go wide, and I already know exactly who is standing behind me.

Chapter 15

Jace

Harper’s words set me on fire. Suddenly, it feels like everything in my life is coming together, and dammit, I’m so happy. I freeze, selfishly hoping to hear more, but Blake, like a chump, stifles a laugh with a loud cough. I watch Bree spot us, and Harper’s back go ramrod straight, before she pivots, locking her eyes on me. Her face is redder than I thought was humanly possible.

I step forward to say…actually, I don’t know what I’m going to say, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t get the chance because Harper squeaks then power walks out the back door without looking back. I hear a gasp behind me and turn to see Blake bent over, hyperventilating and laughing his ass off. As bad as I feel for my girl, and after what I just heard, I will definitely be making her mine, I can’t control the smile plastered across my face. I’m walking on cloud nine and may or may not be rocking a raging boner. But who the fuck cares? I finally have a shot with Harper, and I won’t let anything mess that up.