wasn’t quite ready to share her baggage with him yet. It would only scare him off, and she really liked him and didn’t want him running for the hills.
“I’m okay. I don’t know what that was about.” She kept her eyes averted so he couldn’t see she was lying. “I’ve always had nightmares. I can never remember them once I wake up.”
“Well, the way you were crying out and then gasping for air, I’m glad you don’t remember.” Kissing her temple, he pulled her back down to him.
She ended up leaving at midnight. In the morning she and Josie were going grocery shopping to give Jonathon some alone time. Plus it became their little ritual, breakfast and then groceries. It had been hard leaving Cash, though. After the nightmare, they lay outside talking or being peacefully quiet. Sometimes he kissed her slowly, sweetly, sometimes with a lot more force.
Driving down her street, she touched her lips and couldn’t help what was probably a big dorky smile on her face. Pulling into her parking spot, she noticed her brother sitting on the steps smoking a cigar. He only smoked them when he was stressed. Shutting off the Jeep, she grabbed her purse and hopped out, making her way up the sidewalk.
Chapter Four
“How was your date?” Jonathon asked.
Tessa sat down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
“It was great. He has this hammock in the backyard that I never want to get out of. He cooked me a really great dinner and even played guitar for me. He’s really, really nice. How was your night?”
He was such a great dad. Yes, he worked a lot, but it was to provide a good life for his daughter, and for her too. Whenever he wasn’t working, except for the times he’d go out for a few hours, he spent his time doing stuff with Josie. Whether it was just helping her do homework, watching her sporting events, or just hanging out, he did it all. Of course that was what any good parent would do, but he worked a lot and was raising her alone. Tessa did help him, but she also tried not to replace Josie’s mother.
“Our night was good. We watched one of those damn vampire movies you’ve got her hooked on. She was so engrossed in it she didn’t even notice I was rolling my eyes every five minutes. How can you watch that crap?”
She shoved him with her shoulder. “Shut up. They’re great and romantic. They have the kind of love every girl wants.”
“You’re going to make me barf. That’s the biggest bunch of bullshit I’ve ever heard. He’s needy and a stalker. She’s always got a sour look on her face and plays him and the other dude the entire time.”
She knew Jonathon was full of shit, because he had that all-consuming kind of love with Alex. They had the kind of love that when one of them walked in a room, the other’s eyes would light up.
“Oh, stop, you’re such a goofball. You believe in love.”
“I did, once. I’ll never do it again. It hurts too fucking much.” She watched him snuff out his cigar and stand up. “I’m going to go out for a little bit. I’ll be back later.” He kissed her forehead.
Watching him walk to his car and then pull out caused an ache in her chest. She knew he was still hurting, but she had no idea how to help him. She never asked him where he went or if he was with the same person, but she guessed it was his little bit of release. With a heavy sigh, she went up to their apartment. Josie was asleep in her room already, so Tessa made herself some popcorn and started watching the movie they did earlier.
Hearing her phone ding, she dug it out of her purse. She swiped the screen and pulled up her text messages.
Cash: Did you make it home okay?
Tessa: I did. Thank you for a wonderful evening.
Cash: It was my pleasure. When can I see you again?
She flopped back on the couch, smiling at the screen. Her heart was racing just thinking about the kisses they shared.
Tessa: When would you like to
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