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“Jovie said she’s not mad, but I feel awful.” Amelia wrapped her arms around my waist and laid her head on my chest. “I’m so sorry, E. It won’t happen again, I swear.” I smoothed her kinky hair and hugged her. “She is going to Nick’s tonight.”
I kissed her head. “All right. What should we do tonight?” Amelia smiled, kissed my cheek, and flopped back on the couch. We settled on a movie marathon starting with The Big Sleep and ended with Casablanca. The idea of Jovie being with with Nick only bothered me because I didn’t know the guy. He had to want her, what man wouldn’t? She was beautiful, funny, and witty. I knew Nick was married, but that didn’t ease my mind.
Amelia’s legs were thrown over my lap, and she started drifting off, so I carried her up to bed. Sleeping alone was awful. Having Jovie curled around my back the night before made sleep come easily, made my mind slow. Without her there, I became a mess. I thought about how much my mother would love her, I thought about how bad I was screwing up with Amelia. I had no business raising a teenager, but I would never let her go anywhere else. Her attachment to Jovie was instant and strong. In only a few days, they had become my girls, the family I would do anything to protect. They were mine.
FIFTEEN
Jovie
Monday morning went by smoothly with Ewan dropping off Clark for a haircut and Erica fawning all over the silly dog before she cut his hair. I interviewed a likely candidate for the open grooming position. Cori was easy-going, had no problems jumping in and helping during her interview. The phone rang incessantly, and she actually checked in a client while I answered the phone. As she left, Erica gave me the thumbs up, and I agreed. I could see Cori fitting in just fine. Nick strolled in at his usual time in the afternoon and set a Coke down on the counter for me right as I was finishing with a training session. Quincy had gone from a grooming dog to a boarding dog and most recently I was working with his owner, Mason, on basic obedience. Mason was a weird guy. I could never put my finger on what it was, but Erica thought so too. I opened the gate for Mason to leave while Nick sniffed the candles on display. When I handed Quincy’s leash to Mason, his fingers brushed mine with more force than an accident and he winked at me. I smiled and dropped the leash, not wanting to cause a scene. Mason and Quincy left, but doubled back up the ramp as I greeted Nick.
“Hey, I was wondering if you would want to hang out sometime?” Mason looked over me like a dog about to mark a tree, and I was reminded of Reese’s words. “Hang out means he wants to put his penis in you.” Nick watched the exchange casually, focusing on the candles and struggling not to laugh.
“Oh, uh, thanks for the offer, but I can’t.” I forced a smile, tripping over my words. Something scary flashed in Mason’s eyes, and he glared at Nick before letting the door close behind him. Nick let himself into the back and dropped into my desk chair.
“Coming out of the woodwork, aren’t they?” he teased. I rolled my eyes and finished cleaning the grooming room. Nick folded the load of towels, and I pushed the unsettled feeling from my mind. Mason was always overly friendly, but the look on his face after my rejection made me chill.
Nick always lingered on Monday evenings so we could go to dinner after I got off, but we had decided to do the Ewan meet-and-greet. The plan was to meet somewhere so Nick’s loitering was for the sole purpose of meeting Ewan before dinner. When he and Amelia showed up, she bounced in and let herself behind the counter to tour the shop. Clark perked up from his spot in the sun and ran to meet his owner, practically clearing the gate to get to him. Ewan dropped on his knees to greet the freshly-groomed beast and insisted on paying despite Erica flat out refusing his money. Ewan climbed up off the floor to hand me his card, but instead of letting me take it, he pulled me across the counter for a kiss. Nick started gagging and stood to introduce himself.
Amelia made her way back from the training room. “I want your job.” She nodded to punctuate her point and took Nick’s seat behind the counter. If the girl only knew that more than half my time was spent cleaning up dog shit as opposed to playing with puppies. “Where are we eating?” We all looked at each other, but no one answered. Finally, Amelia rolled her eyes. “Burgers on the patio at Ruby’s?” No wonder I liked her so much. Amelia was bossy and owned it.
“Rae can meet us, and she said there was a surprise,” Nick took Merlin and left to drop him off at my place and let his dog out before joining us at Ruby’s. I locked up and we piled into Ewan’s car. I was nervously excited about the dinner, knowing that if Nick decided not to like Ewan, or Ewan didn’t like Nick, my happy little bubble would pop. I really couldn’t be with someone who didn’t understand my bond with Nick. My best friend carried me through the worst times in my life, and I promised him that I would never let a guy come between us. He helped us plan my aunt’s funeral, was a pallbearer, and sat up with me for nights on end while I fell apart. As teens, we went from job to job together. I was a groomswoman when he and Rae got married, and I knew with every bit of certainty that Nick would do anything for me.
Nick and Rae were inside when we arrived, and we sat at a round table on the patio. Once Ewan kissed my forehead in front of the waitress, she stopped eyeing him like a horny teenager, and Rae exchanged formalities with him. Rae was gorgeous. Dark red waves and curves for days. She and I did not get along at first. She had serious issues with how much time Nick and I spent together, but it had always been us. Neither of us had anyone else, so we were always together. Eventually, Rae learned to trust me, and I learned to share my best friend.
Drinks were ordered, introductions were made, and when I thought I might burst, I broke the small talk. “What’s the big surprise?”
A wide smile spread across Rae’s bow shaped lips. “We’re pregnant.” They both looked at me excitedly, and I jumped from my seat to hug them, squealing like a moron.
Tears were streaming down my face as I buried it in my best friend’s broad chest. “Oh, my gods, guys, that is so wonderful!” I sniffled and hugged her. “I want every detail right now.” I sat back in my seat looking between them. I had truly never been so happy for two people. After two full years of trying, they were finally getting their baby. Rae went over due date, name ideas, and a baby shower. Nick’s parents were going to die of happiness. I promised to help with nurseries and offered my services to babysit anytime. Ewan watched me fawn all over barely discernible ultrasound pictures until Nick settled a predatory gaze on him. Shit.
“So, Ewan, tell me about you and my girl.” Nick said my like I was a prized possession. I nearly laughed because Ewan looked genuinely nervous, but I knew it was all an act. I had been relentless on Rae so my best friend was going to return the favor. Rae shot Ewan a knowing look, and I winked at a worried Amelia, hoping she understood the questions were all a joke. Sort of.
“What do you want to know?” Ewan leaned forward, opening his hands, indicating he was up for the challenge. I bit my lip to keep from laughing.
Nick tossed a glance at Amelia. “Ever been unfaithful to a partner?” Ewan shook his head. “Ever stood up a date?” Ewan shook his head again. “Any crimes or felonies or other illegal activities?” Ewan shook his head again. “Have you read the Harry Potter series in its entirety?”
Ewan furrowed his brow, looking to me for help, but I sat poker faced. “Yes …” Rae gave him a nod, and Amelia giggled.
“House?”
“Gryffindor.”
“Good man. Now what exactly are your intentions here? Oh, and keep in mind that I was here first so she will always pick me over you when it comes down to it.” It was true.
Ewan smirked. “I have no intentions other than treating her well and having a genuinely good time. Where your relationship is concerned, I truly couldn’t care less. As long as I trust her, nothing else should matter.” He leaned forward, letting everyone know the ball was in Nick’s court. Nick looked to me, giving me a single nod, and I finally gave in to my laughter. Rae joined in, but Ewan looked relieved. The meal concluded with us agreeing to do it again soon, and I hugged Nick and Rae again before they left. My heart was so full for them, but I kind of envied them. They truly had it all.
“How did I do?” He drove me back to my car at the shop.
“Really well.” I laughed, leaning my head against the glass and watching Broadway go by. “I knew he would like you, though. Nick just wants me to be happy.” I shrugged. I remembered what he said when I called him in hysterical tears when I found out I was pregnant. Nick wanted to kill me, he wanted to say I told you so, but instead told me I could do anything, and it would all be okay. We both knew it was a lie. After I told him I was getting married, he had a different reaction. Nick had rested a hand on either of my shoulders and said, “You don’t have to do it, Jovie. It’s a mistake and you know it. Your mom will come around eventually. The guy has hurt you enough without you being chained to him.” Gods, he had been so right; Nick was always right.
My phone buzzed, pulling me from yet another obsessive Davis memory. I really needed to let the guy go; my ex wasn’t worth my mental anguish. I was tired of him being my starting point for all male references when I had so many good men in my life. We pulled into my shop as I checked the text.
Nick: Rae said your man’s a keeper. Apparently he looks at you like a man in love.
I slid my eyes to where Ewan was watching me. “Are you going home?”
Amelia leaned over the seat. “Come home with us and play cards.” She squeezed my shoulder. Ewan cocked an eyebrow, smiling hopefully. I nodded and got out to get in my car. An hour later, we were eating ice cream on the floor playing Cards Against Humanity. Amelia laughed until she snorted at Ewan’s plays. Watching him let loose to be slightly inappropriate was amazing. His face flushed and he would ruffle his hair anytime we played anything remotely embarrassing. Amelia left to do her homework while we did the dishes, and I wandered out on the balcony to sit in the hammock. Ewan sat next to me and pulled me into his chest, leaning us back to see the sky.
