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Cynthia and I spent another forty minutes talking. For a change, when our session ended, I didn’t have the urge to climb into bed and curl into a ball.
This afternoon, when I’d gotten back from lunch with my uncle, I’d made meatballs and sauce while I tiled the backsplash in the kitchen. The pot had been cooking all day, so I lowered the temperature to simmer. Not long after, Fox knocked. My heart rate picked up, which caused an internal war.
This is just sex, Josie. Don’t get excited to see the man.
Why can’t I be excited to see him? Maybe I’m excited about the prospect of having sex with him again and not about his company.
No, you’re not.
Yes, I am!
I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants and opened the screen door with a smile. “Hey. Come on in.”
Fox stepped inside. An awkward few seconds ticked by. We’d been making out for days, so it seemed odd not to kiss hello. Unnatural almost. His eyes immediately zoned in on my mouth, so I thought he might be feeling the same way, though neither of us made a move.
Fox cleared his throat and looked away. “You cooking? Smells good in here.”
“I am. I made meatballs and sauce. Are you hungry? I can make you a plate. Though I have to warn you, the meatballs are heart-healthy. Made with mostly turkey. Only a little beef for flavor. I’m not sure you’d approve. You seem like a real meat-and-potatoes guy—with the meat being the unhealthy kind.”
Fox’s lip twitched. “I like healthy foods.”
I thumbed behind me. “You want some?”
“No thanks. I ate already. I need to head to the rink. We had to shift practice to Monday this week because the rink is getting some work done on Wednesday, and I told one of the guys we’d run a few miles together beforehand. He wants some extra training.”
“Oh. Well, have fun.”
He nodded and took an envelope out of his back pocket. “I just stopped over to give you this.”
“What is it?”
“Your two-thousand dollars. The part Ray didn’t spend already, anyway.”
I took the envelope and peeked inside. “I don’t understand. Why do you have it? I gave it to my uncle for his medical bills.”
“There are no medical bills, Josie.”
“What do you mean?”
“I got wind that Ray was shooting his mouth off about a sure thing he was going to lay heavy cash on. Found him at the dog track before the betting window opened.”
“So he lied to me and was going to gamble the money?”
Fox put his hands on his hips. “I hate to break it to you, but your uncle is a piece of crap. He lies, cheats, and steals. I know you look for the good in everyone and want to think he’s changed. But he hasn’t. I understand if you want to get to know him, though I don’t think he’s worth your time. But please don’t give the asshole any more money. I might wind up in jail getting it back next time.”
I looked down at the ground, feeling like an idiot. “Okay.”
Fox put two fingers under my chin and tilted my head up so our eyes met. “That’s on him. Not on you. You feel me?”
“I really thought he’d changed. He was so sympathetic and believable.”
“That’s what makes him a good con man, sweetheart.”
“Butyouknew it…”
“That’s because I’m cynical as fuck. You’re optimistic and all things good.”
I sighed. “Thank you for getting it back.”
