Page 108 of You Fall First

I told you about her. She’s the one who’s staying here, helping out with Dutton until my sister gets into town.

Link

You told me Dex’s sister was helping out. I didn’t know you were having sleepovers with her. Or that you were a WE. Does Dex know about the WE thing?

Me

Of course. I mean, he knows Jo is living here. Temporarily. But not that we’re a we. Because we aren’t. A we.

Link

That was a lot of we’s for a guy who’s not in a we.

Me

Do you want me to text everyone or not?

Link

Yep. And I’ll see WE at 2:00.

Me

Ha ha. Who made you a movie star anyway?

Link

Hadley asks that same question all the time.

I set down my phone, blow out a breath, and do a quick gut check. Until Link pointed it out, I hadn’t realized I was talking about Jo like we’re a couple. But the truth is, she already feels more important to me than anyone I’ve known who isn’t blood-related. If I’m thinking this way now, how much of a fixture will Jo be when Paige finally gets here?

Speaking of which, Dutton can’t stop talking about picking his mama up at the airport Friday. And I get that. A part of me can’t wait for her to be here too. But another part knows my sister’s arrival will mark the beginning of a new life I pushed for and committed to. One that’s focused on her and Dutton.

I’d honestly do just about anything to make space for Jo. But how and where, if I’m at work all day and taking care of Dutton every night?

Sure, Paige will get a night or two off every week, but Jo’s new shifts are going to extend into the evenings. We’d have to find overlaps of time when she’s not at Mockingbird, and I’m not on Dutton duty. How many of those will there be?

Never enough.

But better than nothing, as far as I’m concerned.

Still, Jo Michaels deserves a man who can give her everything she’s ever wished for. She already feels like no one puts her first. Like she’s never anybody’s number one. And I’ve got two other people I’ve sworn to prioritize above everything else.

Knowing this, can I justify throwing my hat into Jo’s relationship ring?

Hey, Jo. Listen. I’d love to take you out sometime, really court you like a gentleman would. Flowers. Dinner. Candlelight. The whole nine yards. Except I have to be home every night with my nephew, so we can’t really go anywhere.

How would you feel about watching Toy Story 4 for the eight hundredth time? We could put on costumes. Eat chicken nuggets.

Yeah. No.

I won’t even bother doing a mental deep dive into the obstacle of Dex. It’s hard to imagine my good friend wanting me to pursue her. Especially after I insisted to the whole family that I don’t have time to date. At all.

He’s always been protective of Jo. And now that I know their family history, I understand on an even deeper level the kinds of mountains Dex Michaels would move to make sure none of his sisters ever gets hurt again. That’s a kind of love and loyalty I can’t touch. Not with a clear conscience.

So.

How about a cloudy conscience?