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“Hi, Rita.”
“Hey, Josie. What can I get you today?”
I stared up at the menu above her head. I read the first few coffee choices, but none of them seemed to sink in. I sighed. God, I was really indecisive today. “You know what, I’ll have a large black coffee, please.”
She winked. “Fox orders the same thing.”
My teeth clenched. “On second thought, I’ll take that first special coffee listed up there.”
She turned around to check the board. “The caramel macchiato?”
“Yes, please.” I didn’t have a clue what a macchiato was, but I didn’t care. “Plain coffee is too boring.”
Rita smiled. “Coming right up.”
After, I stopped at the grocery store. Today’s outing was bad enough. I didn’t want to have to do a second one later and talk to more people. While I was there, I picked up a pint of ice cream—I’d actually put two in my basket, but forced myself to put one back. Then I grabbed a bottle of wine and a box of frozen Bagel Bites—all the makings of a pity party in bed. I was going to allow myself one more day of it. Then I’d kick my own ass and finish the work left on the house. Whatever I decided, that needed to be done.
I’d been in the house for all of two minutes when the doorbell rang. I hated that my heart started to race, hoping it might be Fox. But when I opened the door, it was only the postman with an express envelope.
He held out a handheld computer. “I just need you to sign here, Josie.”
“Oh, okay. Thank you, Tom.”
I hadn’t ordered anything lately, so I wasn’t sure what it could be. Back in the house, I tore open the pull tab. Inside was my passport and a letter-sized envelope. I frowned, seeing Noah’s familiar handwriting on the outside in blue ink.
Josie,
I’m taking a leap of faith. I’ll be on that flight to Aruba. Give me a chance to show you I’ve changed, and meet me on it. I love you.
Noah
I sighed and tossed the package on the kitchen counter. Today was the day that just kept on giving. Maybe I needed that second tub of ice cream after all.
CHAPTER 34
Heartsick and Homebound
Josie
A week later, I stood at the kitchen window, watching Fox’s truck pull into the driveway. We’d had no contact since he’d walked out of my house. I was embarrassed to admit it, but at first I think I was hanging on to hope that he’d come around, realize he’d made a mistake and apologize. But as the days went by, I felt like an idiot for considering that was even in the realm of possibility. The man was cut and dried. He liked his life neat and orderly. But at least one good thing had come out of me trying to pretend I wasn’t waiting on him—I’d kept myself super busy.
I looked around the house. Fresh paint, the living room had anactualceiling, new flooring, appliances, lighting fixtures, hardware, and decking. I’d gotten a few windows replaced, the house power-washed, the driveway sealed, and today I’d replaced the last of the tattered screens. It was almost unrecognizable as the house I’d walked into two months ago. Feeling proud, I snapped a few pictures and texted them to Nilda. A few minutes later, my phone rang, and I smiled at the screen.
“That isnotthe same house,” she said when I answered.
“It is. I have the dent in my bank account and pain in my back from all the lifting to prove it.”
“It looks amazing. I can’t believe you did all that yourself.”
I hated to give the jerk credit, but I couldn’t lie to Nilda. “Actually, I didn’t do it all myself. Fox is a contractor, and he helped a lot.”
“Oh, how wonderful! Mr. Grumpy Hothead who is thoughtful, fiercely loyal, and devastatingly handsome is also handy! Sounds too good to be true.”
Truer words were never spoken. Too bad I’d fallen for his act—hook, line, and sinker. I sighed. “Turns out he was, Nilda.”
“Oh no. Are you okay?”
I didn’t like to lie, but I didn’t want her to worry. She had enough on her mind with her upcoming move. “I’m good. He wasn’t my type after all.” I took a deep breath and soldiered on. “When are you leaving for South Carolina?”
