“Oh?” Joe spared a glance for the line, which had dwindled. Thank God because I wasn’t ready to end my break quite yet.
“I’m the one who has to stand up for myself. I can’t wait around for you or anyone else to do battle for me. Or to solve my problems.”
Frowning, Joe quirked his mouth. “But I want to solve your problems. Or at least help. I wasn’t going to stand by and let him harass you.”
“I know. But I think that’s part of why I was so stubborn about telling you about my future worries.” I paused to take a breath, still working all of this out in my own head too. “I knew you’d swoop in with the rescue, and part of me really wanted that, like with Rick. However, the other part of me wanted to make you proud by solving the money stuff on my own. Show us both that we’re equals. I don’t want to always be some kid who needs watching out for.”
“Never,” Joe said quickly. “That’s not how I see you at all. I like taking care of you. A lot. But I like it precisely because I know you could work things out on your own. You letting me help, that means something to me.”
Nodding, I considered this. “I get that. I just don’t want to need rescuing.”
“You don’t. You’re one of the strongest people I know. You had a huge disappointment but didn’t let it ruin your summer. You made the most of this job and didn’t let one jerk steal your sunshine and smiles. You’re pretty amazing.”
“Maybe I am.” I smirked to cover all the emotions rising in my chest. I hadn’t realized he saw me like that. Heck, I wasn’t sure that I saw me like that. A success. Capable. I wanted to be that person he admired.
“Brat.”
We both laughed, back on familiar footing. Better now because the line between game and reality seemed clearer. I was capable of managing my own life, and we both knew it. Exactly how we both knew that I enjoyed playing the brat to his stern Daddy and neither of those roles negated my ability to be an adult. And the laughter was a welcome reminder that we could have fun together, that this wasn’t all heavy conversation and negotiations.
“I should probably get back soon,” I said reluctantly.
“Yep. Don’t want Blake to come hunting you down.” Joe chuckled before sobering. “I actually came in not only to apologize, but also to ask you something.”
“What?” I leaned forward. Maybe if I stretched far enough I could manage a kiss after all.
“You want to go out sometime?”
“Like a date?” Smiling and slightly dazed, I slumped back in my chair. “I wasn’t aware we did that.”
“We should.” He gave a decisive nod. “I meant it. I want to be more than hot sex and hot tubs. More than friends with benefits.”
“Me too,” I whispered. “Yeah. Yeah, we can go out on a date.”
“Good.” He beamed and blushed, blushed and beamed.
Fuck it. Table and potential audience be damned, I couldn’t wait another minute. I leaned over and kissed him soundly. He tasted sweet, like the drink I’d perfectly made for him, and like Joe, the guy I was falling for more and more. As we kissed, the coffeeshop faded away until it was simply him and I, back to where we’d been all along.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Joe
I was nervous. I didn’t date much, and unlike my advice to my dad to bring flowers and wear a tie, there didn’t seem to be as many clear-cut rules for Levi and me. Although, maybe flowers couldn’t hurt.
“Hey, you.” Levi rapped on the passenger-side window of my truck before opening the door.
We’d agreed on meeting in front of his building. It was a Friday, a week since our fight, and while we’d had plenty of long talks and some significant couch cuddling, date night felt like a significant step forward. Another way to leave our argument in the past and look toward the future. And definitely momentous enough to warrant a little gift.
Levi’s eyes went wide as he scooped up the cellophane tube on his seat. “A flower? For me?”
“It’s kind of—okay, very cheesy.” My neck felt hotter than the August air outside. “Look close.”
A first glance, the package looked like a solitary red rose, but as Levi removed the wrapping, it became clearer that the flower was artificial.
“It turns into fabric…” Giggling like a kid on Christmas, he unfurled the rose to reveal the reason it had been for sale at First-Rate Finishes. “Sexy panties?”
“Figured I need to do my part to add to the collection.”
“You do have good taste.” He made another pleased noise. “I’m going to model them later.”
“Counting on it.” I put the truck in gear as soon he buckled up, distracting myself from my rapidly hardening cock.