I remember thinking how fucking weird it was that he was at Lana’s house because he typically avoided it like the plague. He and his brother didn’t get along in the slightest.
The time we spent together after Lana passed out, and then after we carried her to bed, standing in the entryway. There was a moment, as we stood there, much too close together to be deemed appropriate, that I thought he might kiss me. Josiah’s eyes dipped down to my mouth before dragging back up, and my body vibrated with an unknown, but undeniable, need.
I’d never ached for a kiss like I had that night. I’d never craved the taste of something I had never experienced like I had in that doorway, with only the night sky as our witness. And when I woke up the next morning, my head pounding something fierce, I blamed it on the whiskey and the red wine.
It’s a lie I never fucking believed.
That night changed everything for me.
18
JOSIAH
“Have you been here before?” Glancing over the menu, my eyes find Ash, the assistant manager at my new garage.
I hired them a few days after I arrived in Nashville. They’ve been a godsend in helping make this grand re-opening a success. This business opportunity fell into my lap, and I’ve barely had any time to process it. It’s been a whirlwind of paperwork and moving boxes. One minute, I was presented with the deal, and the next, I was moving all my shit across the country.
Uprooting my entire life was not in my plans, but here we are.
“Oh, yeah,” Ash says, nodding their head. “Love this place.”
It’s only been a couple of weeks, but they’ve easily become one of my only friends here so far.
A woman in a sixties style uniform comes up to our table, setting down two glasses of ice water. “Hey, y’all. My name is Winter, and I’ll be taking care of you today. Can I get you two started off with something to drink?”
As much as I’d love a whiskey neat right about now, it is the middle of a workday, and I’m out to lunch with my employee, so I might want to set a good example. Smiling at Winter, I mutter, “I’ll just do a Coke, please.”
“Sure.” Her voice is chipper, accent southern and sweet. “And for you, honey?” she asks, turning her attention to Ash.
“Same. Thank you.”
“Great. I’ll be right back with those Cokes and to take your order.”
“So,” Ash starts, dragging their gaze toward me. “Did you get that engine air filter ordered for Mrs. Finch’s car?”
I nod. “Sure did. It’ll be here Friday, I believe.”
“Man, she was pissed we didn’t have that in stock.” We both chuckle.
“Tell me about it.” I take a sip of the water. The cold liquid feels fucking great going down my throat. It’s hot as hell outside, and we’re sitting on the patio. “So, what’s new with you? Did you end up going on that date last night?”
“Yeah, it was a bust, though. We had, like, no chemistry.”
“Shit, that sucks. From what you said, it sounded promising.”
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Ash since hiring them, it’s that they’re a big casual dater. I swear, they’ve gone on no less than ten dates since we met. I’ve enjoyed living vicariously through them because Lord knows I don’t date.
Ash shrugs. “Eh, it is what it is. What about you? Anything new?”
Of course, something—or I should saysomeone—comes to mind immediately. The same someone who’s been plaguing my every waking—and sleeping—thought since running into him two days ago.
Ash must see something in my expression because they offer me a warm smile. “What’s got you looking like that?”
I consider not saying anything. It’s a lot to unpack, but… maybe I could just give a little. Enough to get it off my chest. Heaving a sigh, I clasp my hands together on the table, meeting their gaze. “Do you know Segan Bradley?”
A full-blown smirk tugs on their lips as they breathe out a laugh through their nose. “Josiah, everybody in Nashville knows who Segan Bradley is. You’d have to live under a rock not to. Why?”
Blowing out another deep breath, I say, “Well, funny, not so funny, story. Segan and I grew up in the same town in Utah, and he used to date my niece when they were teenagers.”
