AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I should hope so.”
“I’m actually teaching a self-defense class on Saturday night over at Cade’s gym. I’m hoping to have all the Comfort Food ladies go. You should come check it out.” He hesitated, and nerves had him fidgeting with the silverware. “It may turn into a regular gig for me. Cade’s offered me an instructor position of sorts at his gym.”
“That’s great, son.”
He peeked up at his dad. “Really?”
His father looked at him in question. “Is thisnota good thing?”
“No, it is—but are you okay with me going from an FBI agent to a hand-to-hand combat instructor?”
“Sure. If that’s what you want to do. It sounds like fun.” He shrugged. “Besides, you won’t be getting shot at. As a parent, that makes me feel a lot better. And if there’s a chance you’ll be sticking around for the long haul, then even better. I’ve missed you, son.”
Joe let out a breath as an enormous weight lifted from his shoulders. A weight he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying. No matter how old he got, his dad’s opinion meant so damn much. Hell, if he could be half the man his dad was, he’d be fucking honored.
Coming back to Hudson Island, he’d been nervous that his dad—the successfuldoctor—would look down on him for quitting the bureau and starting a new path. A ridiculous fear, really, because all his life, his father had supported him in everything he’d done. Always.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ve missed you, too.” He swallowed over the lump in his throat. “It’s good to be home.”
“It’s good to have you back, son.” His dad smiled. “Now, spill the beans about this position at the gym. Something tells me it’s more than just teaching a class or two.”
CHAPTERTWENTY
“Are you all right, Roxie?” Nina asked as she popped her head into the office.
Roxie jumped. She’d been blankly staring at her computer screen for the past five minutes. Just zoning out and replaying her ridiculously amazing morning with Joe over and over again in her mind. “Yeah. I’m good. Why?”
Nina’s brow scrunched. “Because you’ve never really been late before. June and I are worried. Is everything okay?”
Had Roxie known that being a few hours late would cause such a ruckus, she wouldn’t have—
What the hell was she thinking? Of course she’d do it all again.
“I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine, Nina. Really. Better than fine, actually. I had some personal stuff I had to... figure out.”
“Okay, just checking.” Nina nodded. “Did you want to carpool to the self-defense class?”
“What self-defense class?”
“The one on Saturday over at Cade’s. It’s after the cardio kickboxing class.”
She shook her head. “Since when?”
“Since this week. I think he said something about it maybe becoming a monthly thing? But whatever. June will be at the kickboxing class already, but I’m only doing the self-defense one. You want to carpool?”
Roxie held up her hands in aT.She needed a moment for her brain to catch up. “The self-defense class sounds interesting, but I work on Saturday. As do you.”
“It’safterwork, boss lady. I also checked the catering schedule, and we don’t have anything planned for that night, so relax. Cade and Quinn came in earlier to talk about the class, andwow. I know Quinn’s married and all, but man, I would give a lot to be the meat in a Cade and Quinn sandwich.”
“Oh my god, you sound like Sheila.” Roxie laughed. “And I think Alex would have something to say about that.”
“You’re probably right.” Nina’s face scrunched for a second, then brightened. “Well, there’s always a Cade and Joe sammy. I sure as hell wouldn’t have any objections to that option.”
Yeah, butIwould, missy.Roxie bit her lip.
“Anyway, the guys invited us to it. The self-defense class, I mean. Quinn said Alex was going, so I figured you were on board. I think they said Joe was going to lead it, too.”
Roxie’s brows rose. Why was this the first time she’d heard of it? “This is all news to me.”
