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Me: Verbal and nonbinding?
Sandra: Jolene can close the bar any time she wants, no lease repercussions.
An unlikely outcome. From what I’ve sensed about Jo, guilt and obligation would trump her need to strike out on her own. She confessed she dreads going into work, then quickly covered the admission with a defeatedit’s all good. For her to make real change in her life—challenge herself, find a career she enjoys instead of one she feels stuck in—she might need a bigger push.
Me: With the lady’s agreement, if the building is sold, would the new owner be able to evict her and take over the space?
Sandra: Yes.
I tap my thumb on my phone, spinning through that possibility. I’d have to find a buyer. Someone who wants to open their own business. Not too difficult, but I can’t put those wheels in motion unless I’m one hundred percent sure Jolene wants out of the bar but is too loyal to her late aunt to make the move.
Letting those thoughts ruminate, I drag my tired ass out of my truck and walk up to Javier’s new home. There’s bathroom remodeling to be done and my end of a deal to uphold.
The second Javier opens his front door, his eyes widen. “You look like hell.”
“Do you use charming lines like that on your girlfriend?”
“Do you think I’m an idiot? But seriously, man. You look like you haven’t slept in a week.”
More like the six days since my heated exchange with Jo on our after-dinner walk. We haven’t seen each other since that night. Neither of us has left food and cute notes in the fridge either. Absence that seems to scream loudly when I walk in my door.
Forcing a smile, I slap Javier’s arm and push into his new house. “I’ve been busy with work and extra projects, including the deal I made with a guy who can’t remodel his bathroom on his own.”
“I assumed a pretty brunette with a wicked sense of humor was to blame.”
I catch my boot on the floor and stumble, righting myself quickly. “Nope.”
Javier chuckles behind me. “Sure, friend. We’ll go withnope.”
I’m not sure when I lost the ability to camouflage my true feelings with placid smiles and congenial words. A shortcoming that’ll bite me in the ass next time I see Jo, or if Jake ever brings her up with me.
I don’t have concrete evidence that Jo has spoken to him about his overtures, explained she’s not interested, but he hasn’t brought her up since he gave me that letter, and he’s been extra down. Introverted and broody. I assume Jo told him they didn’t have a future, and I’ve been a shitty brother. I haven’t asked him what’s wrong or tried to cheer him up. Avoidance has become my brutal coping mechanism. And apparently denial with Javier.
We get to work demoing his bathroom, starting with the bathtub and tiling. Physical work that has me sweating all over again. It’s even hotter in here than in Lennon’s barn, the AC in this old house pumping sluggishly.
“I’m thinking of asking Simone to move in,” Javier says during a break. He spins his water bottle back and forth.
“Wow.” I drag my forearm across my brow and put down my hammer. I’ve met Simone once and found her fun and kind. Makes me happy for him. “Things are serious, then?”
“Things are great,” he says. He’s not as sweaty as me, but his ratty old T-shirt and jeans are dusty from our work. And he looks sickeningly in love. “The only downside is she lives an hour away in Ruby Grove, but I’m not sure she’s ready for this next step.”
“Based on that goofy grin on your face, I’d guess Simone will say yes, but I get the nerves. Putting your heart on the line isn’t easy.”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I swear I’m still seventeen around her sometimes. Insecure and shit.” He kicks my foot. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Your guardian angel routine with Jo. Is there more than friendship there?”
My overheating body twitches unpleasantly. “She’s my brother’s ex.”
“Not what I asked.”
I glance in the mirror we haven’t removed yet. My hair is damp from the heat and work, stubble covers my usually shaved jaw, and the bruises under my eyes give me an edge I’m not used to seeing. Like I’ve morphed into my grumpy brother, Desmond, and will soon only speak in grunts and glares.
“Jake still has feelings for her,” I say. “He’s been trying to get her on a date since we got back.”
“Does trying imply failing?”
