“Talking to the parents would be a great idea,” Laura said. “I’ll mention the possibility to Betty in the meantime, see what she thinks.”
Paula shook her head. “Let me run this by Frances first. I need to be sure she’s up to it. I’ll call you as soon as I’ve spoken to her, and we’ll go from there.”
Laura nodded. “Thanks for thinking of that. Though I’d like to believe this will all stop because Annabelle’s been caught and suspended, deep down I know better. It’s going to take vigilance to see that things improve for Misty, rather than getting much, much worse.”
* * *
J.C. had been pacing in front of Laura’s since six o’clock. Where on earth was she? He knew she must be worn out from the day’s events. He wanted to be here for her, provide whatever support she needed. He’d brought a bottle of wine and planned to order comfort food from Rosalina’s, if she’d let him.
It was nearly seven when she drove up, exiting her car with what looked like the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her expression brightened ever-so-slightly when she saw him.
“I wasn’t expecting to find you here,” she said.
J.C. gave her a rueful look. “And you’re not entirely happy about it, are you? Will it help if I tell you I’m here to offer aid and comfort and then go on my way?”
She seemed intrigued by his response. “Aid and comfort? Explain, please,” she said as she led the way into the building and unlocked her door.
“Wine,” he began, extracting the bottle from a bag. “Pizza and salad from Rosalina’s.” He held up their take-out menu. “See, I came fully prepared.” He pointed to his last surprise, the one he thought might trump all the others. “And chocolate decadence cake from Sullivan’s.”
Her eyes widened, and she immediately reached for the box. “Gimme.”
Grinning, J.C. held it aloft, out of her reach. “Not until you’ve had a bath or shower and relaxed with a glass of wine, while I take care of ordering the main course.”
“I never considered the possibility before, but are you some kind of saint?”
J.C. laughed. “Hardly, but if my gesture keeps me from being tossed back out on the street, I’ll take it as a good sign that I might be on my way to improving my image.”
She gave him a curious look. “Was there something wrong with your image?”
“Guilt by association,” he said.
“Ah, the Bill Townsend connection,” she said. “Of course. I don’t think that’s being held against you so much anymore. I believe some of the Sweet Magnolias have told you that themselves, have they not? And I happen to know that there are a lot of moms who think you hung the moon.” She grinned. “The single ones especially!”
Though she said it lightheartedly, he frowned. “You know I’ve never gone out with any of them, right? Single moms tend to be vulnerable. That’s a bad match for a guy like me who’s not looking for permanent.”
It was her turn to frown. “Message received.”
She turned to walk away, but he caught her by the shoulder and insisted she face him. “There was no intended message for you,” he said. He held her gaze, his expression earnest. “Something changed when we met, Laura. I can’t explain it, and I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with us, but I’m more open to the possibilities than I ever expected to be. Can that be enough for now?”
He waited, his breath caught in his throat. The reaction surprised him. He’d never felt this kind of uncertainty before awaiting a decision from a woman. When he had ventured out on a few discreet dates, he’d been the one in control. Now it was evident that something had shifted, and Laura held all the cards. It unnerved him.
“You’re really open to the possibilities?” she asked, studying his face.
“Completely open,” he confirmed. “Which is not to say that I’m entirely happy about that. Turning my back on a long-held conviction about relationships isn’t easy.”
She smiled. “Yes, I can understand how tough it must be to back down even a tiny bit from a stance once you’ve taken it. There’s all that male pride and determination on the line.”
“Something like that,” he agreed.
There was more, of course. There was the risk to his heart, a risk he’d vowed never again to take.
* * *
Pleased by the conversation she’d had with J.C. and feeling surprisingly optimistic, Laura allowed herself to soak in the tub as ordered, while they waited for the food to arrive from Rosalina’s. There was something amazingly sexy about knowing that he was just on the other side of the door while she lay here submerged in a rapidly disappearing sea of fragrant bubbles.
She closed her eyes and had a sudden image of what it would be like if the door opened and a stripped J.C. climbed into the tub with her. She could practically feel his hands sliding over her body, feel his slick skin next to hers, imagine his unmistakable arousal.
“Laura!”
The sound of his voice startled her so badly, she sat up too quickly and sloshed half the water out of the tub and onto the floor.
“You awake?” he asked, amusement threading through his voice.
Awake? She was so stimulated she might not sleep for a week.
“I’m awake,” she said in a voice that shook just a little.
“The food’s here. Take your time, though. I’ve popped the pizza in the oven on warm.”
Suddenly the thought of garlic and cheese and tomato sauce had her mouth watering. She realized she’d missed lunch entirely, and, delicious though it had been, the mango-papaya smoothie hadn’t quite made up for it. She was starving. Or maybe it was sexual frustration that had her craving food, all of a sudden.
She scrambled out of the tub, dried herself and mopped up the floor, then pulled on a pair of leggings and a comfortable shirt that barely reached her knees. Though it was something she often wore around the house, she had a
