Eventually they decided to head back to the cottage. I told them I would meet them back there later.
“But where’s your car?” Grandma asked me away from everyone.
“JT gave me a ride this morning,” I admitted, my face warm with embarrassment.
She gave me a knowing smile. “I hope you guys had a good time.”
I nodded. “We did Grandma. He told me he loved me.”
She hugged me quick. “I’m so happy for you. There’s something about you two that remind me of your grandfather and I.” She squeezed my hand. “So don’t you worry. Is he picking you up?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure I’m ready for him to meet Mom. She’s going to freak enough when I tell her I’m not coming back to Madison.”
Grandma sighed and nodded. “Unfortunately my daughter judges people too quickly. Could you get Brittany to pick you up?”
“Maybe. I’ll figure it out. Maybe it would be best to have him meet them today. I could get it all over with at once.” I shrugged.
“It’s up to you. I’m here for you no matter what.”
“Thanks Grandma.” I hugged her again and shooed her off.
I was distracted the rest of the day, trying to figure out what I was going to do. I didn’t want to lie to JT or make him think I was ashamed of him, but I also didn’t want to subject him to my mother’s scrutiny. He made a few comments occasionally about me being a city girl who was too good for him and I didn’t want to feed into that.
Things were unusually busy that afternoon and I never had a chance to ask Brittany to come get me. I heard JT’s truck outside, realizing the decision had been made for me.
He came inside and found me in the back office. The rest of the staff was finishing up the cleaning, so we were alone. He was still in his work uniform and had a smudge of grease on his face. His red cap was on backwards and he looked so adorable.
“You look deep in thought,” he said and leaned against the desk next to me.
“Just going over the numbers of the day,” I lied and stood up. I moved between his legs and he reached down to grip my ass.
“I missed you,” he leaned in for a kiss and I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’ve been thinking about you all day, mostly about how great you look naked and how good you feel.”
I rolled my eyes and smiled. “I’ve been thinking about you too.” I was too distracted to mess around. I went back to the desk and put everything away. “Today was busy. And exciting.”
“Oh yeah? What happened?”
I turned to look at him and took my apron off. “My parents came to visit.”
“That’s good.” I gave him a look. “Isn’t it?”
“JT, my mother wants to talk to me about going back to Madison in a couple of weeks.”
“Oh,” his face fell.
“I’m not going,” I said firmly and went over to him. “She’s going to be angry and it’s probably going to get ugly, but I won’t let her change my mind. Grandma and Grandpa told me I could stay here and work at the diner. Maybe I can even take it over one day.”
His eyes lit up. “That would be great. Do you want me to come with you?”
I chewed on the side of my mouth. “JT, she’s always pushed me to end up with a surgeon or someone like my father. I’m afraid of what she might say about you or to you.”
“I’m a big boy, I can take it.” He took my hand, threading his fingers with mine. “We’re a team and I won’t let you do this alone.”
I finished up a few things and we left the shop. I took a deep breath as I locked the door behind me. He helped me into his truck and then got in. We rode to the cottage in silence, unsure of what we were going to face.
At least we were facing it together.
Chapter Ten ~ JT