“Austin told me it means,wow, that’s fantastic.
Cackling erupted from all except Daisy, who threw her hands in the air. “What?”
Jax could barely speak. “Mom, it means what the fuck.”
Daisy’s mouth dropped to the floor. “No way!”
“Way!” My dad laugh-yelled.
“I’m going to strangle that boy! Just imagine what the youth pastor thinks of me now!”
“Well, I think it’s time for me to turn in, too. Come on, Daisy. It’s our wedding week, and I know your mind has been running miles. It’s time for sleep.”
“I’ll tuck in Grant and head over in a bit.”
She joined my dad, and they walked to the door. “Good night, all. Madison, I’ll leave the hall light on for you so you don’t trip up the stairs again.”
“Thank you, but I do the same tripping in daylight, too. It’s just how I roll.” I waved as they disappeared.
By the time we got to Grant’s room, he was already curled up on his side, blanket tucked under his chin, as Jax clicked off his lamp.
“He’s adorable,” I whispered as we walked into the hall.
I followed him down the hall, and when we neared his bedroom, my heart started thumping, panic running through me, and I bolted in front of Jax.
I whisper-yelled over my shoulder. “Oh my gosh, I left my SpaghettiOs in the microwave!”
I sprinted down the stairs to the kitchen, whipped open the microwave, and grabbed my chow. I sat on a stool as he moseyed in, wearing a little grin. He pulled open a drawer and slid a spoon over to me.
I immediately started scooping the pasta into my mouth. It seemed that eating was giving me a second to figure out WTF I was going to do.
Every time something happened between us, it snuck up on me, but there we were, all alone. Now the main course could happen at any second, or I could fling myself out the window and run like hell.
I swore the walls were about to bust due to the tension that filled the room. Jax leaned against the counter, wearing a smirk. He watched me continue to shovel my Os in like I was in a speed-eating competition.Stop eating! You look ridiculous!
“Those look good.” He tilted his head.
“They really are.”Speak, say something even remotely smart, damn it!
“I wanted to thank you.” He took another spoon from the drawer and dipped it into my bowl before taking a bite. “I was hoping Grant’s first day back here would be a nice one, and you made that happen.” His head shook in appreciation of the cuisine before him. “These do hit the spot, huh?”
I nodded. There was no way he wasn’t feeling my nerves. Why couldn’t I just be like Zoey and go for it? I was all wobbly inside and pretty sure I needed to get out of there before I did something that would make me appear as stupid as I felt.
“He’s a great kid. I think you’re good for each other.”
He took another spoonful. “He’s nuts about you.”
A giggle released some of the tension. “How could he not be? Did you see me grab Firequacker? I was a maniac out there.”
He threw his hand in the air. “And the mooning. Springfield may never be the same after your visit to the fair.”
We sat smiling as we finished the last four Os in my bowl. My eyes were down, afraid of meeting the gaze I could feel burning into my skin. After a LONG moment of silence, I slowly looked up to find him watching me with a straight face and thoughtful eyes.
“Well, uh, it’s late. I’m sure you’re tired.”
Oxygen hit my lungs, and I could breathe again. He was reading me and somehow understanding my unexpected uncertainty. I still had no flippin’ clue where that came from. Let’s face it, a few hours ago, I was ready to seal the deal in a camper at the fair, and now I was like a scared chick awaiting her first kiss. Can you say multiple personalities?
“Why don’t I walk you to the door?”
