Page 65 of Always Love You More

“And I’m your girlfriend,” she says more to herself.

I place my elbows on the desk, and our eyes lock. She leans forward, erasing the distance between us, and I brush my lips over hers. Her breath hitches as I wrap a hand around the back of her head, pulling her into me. Her soft lips move over mine. I could do this all day, but I break the kiss with a sigh.

“I’ve gotta go.”

She runs her tongue over her bottom lip, clearing her throat. “Where?”

“I’ve gotta pick something up,” I answer vaguely.

Her face falls, but she doesn’t say anything.

“So, dinner tonight?” I ask.

She plays with one of her rings. “I’ll have to check with Johnny.” She looks up at me. “Your dad asking me to come over for dinner …”

“Yeah?”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

I start to raise my hand to run it through my hair, but stop when she tracks the motion. I lower it back to my side and shake my head. “I really don’t know.”

Chapter 18

Sam

Johnnywasreluctanttolet me go to dinner at Jameson’s house, but I convinced him that I would be fine. He told me he’d come to pick me up at nine and to call if anything happened. I promised him I would. He also said he would cover for me if our dad asked where I was, although he probably wouldn’t be home until late, anyway. Our father usually spends Friday nights in his favorite seat at Al’s bar.

The question of me and Jameson lingered between us, the answer practically implied, but when Johnny came out and asked if we were together, I didn’t deny it. He just told me to be careful, and I assured him that I would be.

When Jameson finally came back frompicking something up, I watched as Johnny cornered him. His protectiveness is a lot sometimes, but I guess it’s nice to have someone who’s always looking out for me.

I honestly don’t know what I’d do without Johnny here to have my back.

The shop has been busy, and the day has gone by quickly. I haven’t had much time to think about what dinner tonight will be like. I’m definitely nervous to go, but it feels like it can’t be avoided. If I want to be with Jameson, which I do, I can’t let him think I’m scared of his life.

The door to the garage pushes open, and Billy waltzes through.

“So”—he grins—“you and Jameson, huh?”

I look behind Billy as Jameson comes in after him.

They must have had their talk.

“I’ve been telling him he likes you, but the idiot kept denying it like it wasn’t fucking obvious.”

My eyes flit over to Jameson, and I fight to hide a smile. “You guys been talking about me?”

Billy stops in front of the desk, leaning against it. “Oh, he’s liked you since—”

“Jameson!” a deep voice barks. “Let’s go.”

Billy’s expression goes flat as Levi walks through the side door and comes up behind Jameson.

His father looks around him at me, his voice taking on a sickly-sweet tone as he asks, “You ready to go, honey?”

It takes all I have not to say something I shouldn’t. I knew this dinner was going to be a test from the moment Jameson told me about it. His father is going to try to get a rise out of us. Yesterday can’t go unpunished, and this seems to be how he plans on delivering it.

I stand and grab my purse from where it’s sitting at my feet then round the desk. “Let me just go tell my brother I’m leaving.”