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He steps back offering me a smile and dipping his chin. “Enjoy that coffee sweetheart.” My father winks before turning around and walking toward the front door.
“Dad?” I holler after him and all he does is wave before walking out with the door closing behind him, leaving me more confused than when he first showed up.
thirty-one
. . .
Jayson
I climb out of my SUV, closing the door and locking it. Walking through the gravel parking lot I make my way toward the entrance of River’s End pausing near the entrance. The door comes open and Wade Jenkins exits, offering me a nod as he passes.
“Hey,” I holler out and he pauses, turning around taking a few steps backwards. “You got some time to work me in for some landscaping at my new place?”
“What you thinking?”
“Complete facelift, what’s there is shit.” I chuckle when he offers a nod. Seems our town landscaper agrees.
“You sure you don’t want to wait for a certain pretty lady to put her spin on the place?”
Everyone in town seems to be rooting for Zoey and me.
“Maybe you could lay the foundation, give it some appeal, and then she can add her own touch later down the road.”
“I can stop by next Saturday maybe, take a look around.”
“That works,” I tell him and he offers a wave before turning around and continuing toward his truck.
I hold the door for a couple ladies exiting, getting a sweet smile from one.
Entering the bar, I look around the open space. Music plays from the speakers, groups are tucked into booths and at tables, enjoying drinks and food, laughing along, lost in conversation. I spot Emma and Mattie at the bar and I begin to move in their direction. As I get closer, I see Dean and a few others.
I’d messaged Zoey a few hours ago telling her I had to run over and pick up some supplies that we were shorted. I expected it to take longer but they had everything ready when I arrived.
As I reach the bar I motion to the bartender and point to the Coors bottle on the counter indicating I want one. As I turn around, I see Mattie has noticed me.
“Where you been?” he asks.
“Had to make a run for supplies.” I look around the bar getting a few nods from friends, “Zoey make it yet?”
Mattie looks at Emma, Emma looks at me, then quickly looks away.
“Is there something I’m missing?”
My brother shrugs. “Female drama and I’m staying out of it.” Emma is still ignoring me and when I realize I’m getting nothing from these two I dig my phone out of my back pocket and startto dial her number when the door opens and I look up. She steps inside, her golden colored hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. She has on a pair of jeans, fitting her like a glove and a red off the shoulder shirt.
I smile, pushing off the bar and moving across the room toward her. She notices me and pauses right as I move in and cup her face with my hands. My lips meet hers and she freezes there for a second before melting into me like she always does.
I hear a few catcalls, but I ignore them.
Realizing it’s the first time we've shown affection this freely in public, but not caring.
“Well, hello to you too.” She sighs as I pull back.
“You look damn good, woman.” The words tumble from my mouth making her laugh. “We could skip this whole thing and you and I could get out of here.”
“But I got all dressed up.” She pushes out her bottom lip in a pout. “And I’m hungry.” So many things run through my mind at that moment but I choose to keep them private and place my arm over her shoulders.
Leading her toward the bar, I notice the way Emma glances over at Zoey, but neither of them say a word.
