“How would trying to get me to go out with another woman push me toward Audrey?”
“Don’t question my methods, Josiah.” She patted his cheek. “Besides, it worked, didn’t it?”
I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh out loud. This woman was hilarious. Although Josiah was clearly not amused.
Marlene handed her a casserole dish wrapped in foil.
“Thank you, dear. I’m afraid I can’t stay. I have to get this to Doris. But it was so good to meet you, Audrey.” Her eyes moved to Josiah. “Seal the deal on this one quick, before she gets away from you.”
I tried to suppress another laugh.
Josiah just shook his head.
“Ta ta!” As quickly as she’d come, Aunt Louise disappeared out the front door.
“That reminds me, I don’t have anything defrosted for dinner,” Marlene said. “Paul, what sounds good?”
“Let’s go out. Date night.” He headed for the back door. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Wear something pretty.”
She beamed at him as he walked out and shut the door behind him. “I guess that means I’m not inviting you to stay for dinner.”
“That’s fine. We need to get going anyway.” Josiah grabbed my hand. “See you later, Mom.”
“Have a fun date night,” I said.
“We will. Bye, you two. Have a good evening.”
We left and got into Josiah’s truck. On the way home, I was almost as jumpy as I had been on the way there. Which didn’t make any sense. It had been a fun visit. His parents were amazing and I’d adored his aunt Louise.
So why did I feel so tangled up inside?
Because I really liked Josiah and I really liked his family. And that combination was starting to scare me a little.
CHAPTER 26
Josiah
Audrey nested against me, all smooth skin and soft curves. I wasn’t tired enough to sleep but I wasn’t motivated to get out of bed, either. She did that to me. Settled me down enough to want to stay in bed with her after sex.
Damn woman was turning me into a cuddler.
Her slow, deep breath loosened the tension in my back. I kissed her neck a few times, enjoying the feel of her body tucked against mine. I was sated and relaxed, although if she’d wanted another go, I’d have been up for it.
She did that to me, too.
“Have your parents always been like that?” she asked out of the blue.
“Like what?”
She rolled onto her back and I propped my head on my arm.
“So cute.”
“If by cute, you mean gross, then yes.”
She laughed. “They’re not gross. They’re in love. That’s amazing.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s better than the alternative. Although I’ve seen an unhealthy number of butt grabs in my life.”
“You just don’t know how lucky you are. My parents were never affectionate around other people. Come to think of it, I have no idea if they were affectionate in private.”
“They made you.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean they were affectionate toward each other. I never saw them hug or kiss or anything like that. I definitely never saw my dad grab my mom’s butt.”
“You’re not missing anything.”
“I’m sure it would have grossed me out. But I kind of wish I had been grossed out.” She paused for a long moment. “It makes me wonder what their marriage was really like. So much of what I saw was just for show.”
“That sucks.”
“Yeah.”
A soft whine came from the other side of the door.
She laughed. “I guess we should let him back in.”
Strangely, I didn’t mind. There were some things her dog didn’t need to see, but I liked having that furball around.
We let him in and he hung out while we got ready for bed. And there was something about all of it that I really liked.
A wet dog nose in my face was not my favorite way to wake up. I didn’t know how he chose which one of us to torture in the early morning, but he seemed to pick one and leave the other alone. Unfortunately for me, today was my turn for the morning potty trip.
Actually, I didn’t mind too much. It would give Audrey a little extra sleep.
I grunted an acknowledgment that I was awake and peeled myself out of bed, careful not to wake her. Max jumped down, full of energy, and waited by the door while I used the bathroom and tugged on some sweats.
He followed me to the front door. I didn’t bother with shoes. His morning trips outside were always the same—a mad dash to the pee tree and right back inside.