When We Met

by C J Marie

  Jo snorted, and sipped a bottled water as Zac shoved Rafe’s arm after pulverizing all ten pins in one strike. He leaned over her knees, met her gaze for a heartbeat, and kissed her. “You’re up,” he added as he took a drink from the same bottle and swatted at her rear once she stood.

  Jo shot icy daggers in her gaze, but embraced the heat bridging her cheeks when Olive and Jace sniggered, and Dot deliberately dragged her tongue over her lips. The pink ball had fingerholes much too big for her slender digits. The alley had a thick aroma of sizzling grease from bratwurst, mingled with pine from cleaners, with just a touch of body odor. A night out, bowling, drinking, laughing, was something Jo hadn’t done since her father passed away. It felt like home in way she never knew she needed.

  “Jo can’t hit them,” Will taunted. Jo didn’t know Jace’s brother well, but found he had a sarcasm that made her laugh, and after seeing his fists ball and curses cross his tongue over missing a few pins, Will Whitney had a competitive streak to rival them all.

  Jo scoffed, and flipped her hair over one shoulder. “Would you like to take that bet?”

  A chuckle rumbled through the group as all eyes turned on Will. He draped his arms over the back rests on the bench. One corner of his mouth curled up, and his summer blue eyes flashed beneath the fluorescent lights. “I’ll take that bet. I bet you fifty bucks you can’t hit all those pins.”

  “No, no, no.” Jo propped the ball on one hip, flushing when Zac’s devilish grin filled her senses. “Money isn’t enough.” She snapped her fingers and stomped in front of Will. “The clinic janitor is on vacation. The biohazard cans fill up quick, so quick I can’t keep up.”

  Dot clapped her hands, and swayed as if she were in a sermon and the spirit overcame her. “Yes. Yes, a hundred times, yes. I would love to see this guy scrubbing the gunk off patient tables at that place. Bring him off his high horse, Jo.”

  “Wait, you’re saying if you get a strike—”

  “You come clean the clinic.”

  “Nah,” Will shook his head. “I’m a busy man, Jo. Make this worth my while. Turkey it—that means three strikes—and I’ll clean toilets, blood, and puss for a week.”

  Jo grinned, and tilted her head. “Is that what a turkey means? I didn’t know, but you’re on.”

  “Wait, but if you don’t…I get something too.”

  She sighed though never lost her smile. “Name your price.”

  “I need a good detail on my car.” Will sat back, and crossed one ankle over his knee. His smug grin showed off his flashing teeth and handsome face. Zac clicked his tongue, and finished off the water bottle.

  “Don’t do it, Jo,” Zac grumbled. “The man’s a pig.”

  Jace nodded with a grimace.

  Jo wagged one finger at Zac and shook her head. “I’m getting the feeling no one has faith in me.”

  “Oh, I have faith in you,” said Zac. “I just don’t want you to get an incurable disease from scrubbing that dashboard or something.”

  Will slugged Zac’s shoulder as Jace and Dot taunted him on the opposite side. “It’s not that bad.”

  “Oh, dear William,” Jace quipped, her eyes wide and brow furrowed. “It is that bad.”

  “Well Dot, shall we see if we get a free janitor for the week?”

  Dot fisted the air and nodded. Jo clutched the ball, stared at the pins, and released. Strike. Will’s gaze narrowed as Jo’s turn rolled around twice more, two strikes under her belt, and everyone else forgoing their turns to watch the final, deal-sealing attempt. Zac was on his feet, his wide smile sending goosebumps raging across her arms. She needed those lips again, and soon. For the whole of the week, Jo had spent her time curled in Zac’s arms. Unashamed in every simmering touch. Each kiss left her breathless. His hands stole her brain function. But it was his calming affection that sent Jo’s head spinning.

  Except when they were bowling. Focus was key, and Jo knew how to focus on taunting pins begging to be plowed to the floor.

  One, drawn breath as she aligned the ball in her grasp. Jo took a step. Will crossed an arm over his stomach, the other fist pressed against his mouth. Rafe hugged Olive’s shoulders, but even the newlyweds stopped devouring lips to watch. Dot and Jace chanted Jo’s name in soft whispers. And Zac rocked on his heels as he shoved his hands in his pockets. The moment of truth.

  Lanes with boisterous families, couples, even a team of middle-aged men, seemed to fade into oblivion as the pound of resin on wood rumbled toward its target. The crash of pins gave the silence of their group pause until the result registered and the shrieking began. Jo clapped her hands, and laughed until tears bled over her eyes from Will’s stunned expression. His mouth parted, and his face paled.

  “How…” He pointed a single finger at the empty hole where ten fallen pins were being swept away by mechanic arms.

  Jo patted his shoulder, and sighed. “Bowling club. All of high school and into college.”

  Will gaped. “Information of epic bowling ability was withheld. I call for a rematch.”

  Zac shook his head as he scooped his strong arm around Jo’s hips. “No way, man. You’ll bet a dollar or something now.”

  “Fair is fair, Mr. Will,” Dot said. “Be at the clinic at eight to start the shift. Should only take you three hours or so. Unless someone comes in with bowel issues then…” Dot patted his cheek. “All I can say is good luck.”

  Zac pressed a kiss to the side of her head as Jo melted against his body just to absorb his scent and presence. They laughed, taunted, bowled, and taunted poor Will a little more. When the group broke for the night, and Jo slipped into Zac’s truck, she couldn’t remember the last time the real Jo Graham had ventured into the sunlight, but these people somehow dug through the stiffness, and brought her safely to the surface.

  “Are we going to your mom’s house tomorrow?” Jo yawned when Zac pulled into his driveway. He grinned for a drawn pause at his hands still cupped over the steering wheel. “What’s funny?”

  Zac shook his head. His gaze found hers, and Jo wondered if it would be possible to keep the flurry in her chest each time the man looked at her. “Nothing. I was just thinking I like how you said that. Are we going—I like the we, Jo.”

  Her fingers traced his knuckles, until she threaded their hands together. “Then why do you sound sad about it?”

  “Not sad, never sad,” he whispered as he trapped one side of her face. “It’s just that four weeks is almost up.” Reality crushed over her shoulders like a bludgeon. Four weeks, her time was served. Boston awaited. “Did you forget?”

  Jo scoffed, and rested her head on his shoulder. “Maybe I did. I haven’t thought much about anything the last few days.” She met his eye, and brushed the tips of her fingers over his lips. “We don’t need to worry about it now. It’s not like I have anything besides work waiting for me there.”

  Zac crushed his mouth on hers with a need, desperate and gritty, he’d withheld before now. The passion so pure and honest in his kiss that a wet sting soaked her eyes. As they broke apart Zac threaded his fingers in her hair, and leaned his forehead against hers. “I wouldn’t mind if you found something worthwhile here.”

  Zac Dawson wasn’t a man she’d ever imagine as vulnerable. The whispered confession breathed on her face, took hold in her tight throat, and surged a jolt of electric desire in her heart. There was something of worth holding her tight in this moment, yet Jo couldn’t shake the scratch over her shoulders that forces were mounting beyond their notice; forces that held little affection for the seed of something powerful and deep taking root between their hearts. Tonight, she would abandon the rattle of gloom toward their separate lives, and she would find solace in Zac’s sure arms. She’d hold tight to the beat of his heart as he loved her the way every woman in existence deserved to be loved.

  ***

  “Get him you moron! Pick up the pace! Heaven above, they’re causing a hot flash.” His mom shouted at the TV, and Jo laughed at her side.

&n
bsp; Zac chuckled as he nursed the beer bottle, and turned his attention back to the derby. He’d seen more horseraces than he could count flash across this living room, and he usually had no interest. But Jo was fascinated by the sport, and Zac found he was pretty fascinated with anything involving the woman.

  “Mom,” Zac said when Agatha let out a long string of curses when the jockey on her selection pulled at the last moment and came in at a tight second. “Easy, you’ve got company.”

  “Oh, Jo doesn’t mind, do you sugar?”

  Jo shook her head. “No. It’s relaxing to let loose a little.”

  “Must be all uptight in the big city, huh?” His mom said sincerely as she gathered the tumblers still half-filled with sweet tea.

  Jo sighed, and leaned against the couch cushions. “Sometimes. I don’t mind the city, but there is a certain magic down here.”

  “I like that. Magic. Zac, keep this one around.”

  “Trying to, mama.”

  Jo smiled, and Zac loved the way the bridges of her cheeks flushed pink whenever she was embarrassed. Her flight was scheduled in two days, and Zac did everything he could to keep them busy so they didn’t have to think about it.

  “What’s on the agenda today, kids?” Agatha asked as she handed out refills, though no one had asked.

  Jo shrugged, and glanced in his direction. “I don’t know. I’ve got laundry to do and a few reports for the clinic.”

  “Oh, Dot ought to let you off for the last few days.”

  “I love the clinic, so I don’t mind.”

  Zac cleared his throat, and took a seat on the couch next to her. “If you want to put off a few things, I was hoping you might want to go to the beach with me.”

  With a flick of her brow, Jo grinned. “A romantic walk on the beach, Zachariah. I’m not sure I can say no.”

  Agatha laughed. “The Dawson men, they know just where to press to get us ladies to cave. His daddy was just the same. Well, now. I’ll skedaddle and let you two do…whatever it is that you do.”

  “Mama, come on you don’t need to say it like that.”

  His mom held up her hands, and crinkled her forehead. “I’m just saying, I don’t live in a cave.”

  Jo curled her slender fingers with his, and it was fast becoming his favorite feeling. He dragged a hand through his hair and sighed. “Sorry. The woman lives to embarrass me.”

  With a quick peck to his cheek, Jo rested her head on his shoulder. “I think she’s the best. Really.”

  For some reason the idea swelled inside his chest like a wrench cranking his ribs tighter around his heart. “She is. So, you didn’t answer about tonight? You up for it?”

  She tugged on his hand, and urged him off the couch. “Hmm, laundry or sunset by the ocean with a sexy man. It’s a tough choice, but I do love the scent of detergent.”

  Zac hugged her tight against his body once he was on his feet, and teased her lips within inches from his. Jo’s eyes flicked wildly as she studied his own. Zac caressed the side of her face, and curled one side of his mouth up. “Maybe I’ll refuse to let you use the washing machine.”

  “Zac, how inhospitable of you. I thought the south was known for neighborly treatment.”

  He leaned closer so the soft whisper of her lips brushed with his. “You’re not my neighbor, Jo. I’d like to think you’re a lot more.”

  Radiant ribbons of gold, green, and a touch of violet ignited the sky in a tapestry of color along the horizon. Ocean air whipped Jo’s hair around her cheeks, and Zac was certain he’d never seen a more beautiful woman.

  “I’m glad I picked this over laundry,” she whispered against the breeze.

  Zac closed his eyes as he dropped his arm from around her shoulders. “Jo, there’s something I need to say.”

  She furrowed her brow so the creases in her forehead deepened. “Everything okay?”

  Taking her hand, Zac offered a brisk nod and kissed her knuckles. “It’s all great. I just…you’re leaving soon—”

  “Zac we don’t need—”

  “No,” he said as he held up a hand. “Please, I need to get this out.” Any hint of a smile faded from Jo’s lips. What was she thinking? Zac curled his arms tight around her, and pulled her against his chest. “I’ve got to tell you that…” The words faded like ash on his tongue. At least five breaths passed between them before he spoke again. “You should know, I don’t want you to leave. Stay. It’s a lot of me to ask, but if I let you get on that plane without saying it then I’m nothing but a coward and an idiot.”

  Jo was silent. For a moment he thought he’d spilled too much. Felt too deep. Slowly, her arms tightened around his waist, and she rested her forehead against his throbbing heartbeat. There was a distinct sniffing over the lapping waves. Was she crying? Zac cupped one side of her face, and urged her chin upward. Jo’s eyes brimmed with salty tears, and a faint red mark had formed in the center of her forehead as she fought against the tears.

  “Hey,” he said. “What’s wrong? I didn’t meant to upset you—”

  “Why?” she interjected.

  Zac shook his head. “Why, what?”

  “Why do you want me to stay?”

  Zac fumbled for a moment. He scanned the sand, the waves, the horizon, before he met her eye with all the intensity of a bolt of lightning. “Because I’m in love with you.”

  She blinked several times, and two tears dripped down her cheeks. “How can you say that?”

  Pressing a kiss to her head, Zac held her tighter. His throat tightened, but saying the words had released something inside he’d never felt before. Ever. “I mean it.”

  She let out a gurgled chuckle. “The woman who pulverized your shop? Zac, I…we come from different…places and…”

  Her voice trailed off when he trapped her face in his palms. “So what? Maybe I was too stubborn that it took someone like you to wake me up. Of course, I almost ruined it by getting some community service slapped onto your record. But you know what, Jo, I’m glad I did.”

  She laughed softly as her fingers danced across the back of his neck. “Proud of yourself, huh?”

  “A little.” Zac kissed her forehead before resting his against her skin. “What I said, Jo, I meant it. Doesn’t mean I expect anything of the same back, I just needed to tell you the truth.”

  Jo pulled back so her eyes seared into his soul like a hot stoker. Her kiss came so swift, Zac had to balance again on the sand. Jo kissed him harder, their mouths parted, and Zac was lost in the taste, the touch, the scent of Jo Graham. Her breaths pitted against her neck when Jo finally pulled away. She smiled as her fingers traced the scruffy line of his jaw. “I mean this with everything, Zac. I love you too. I love you so much.”

  Zac wasn’t even embarrassed when his pent breath came out shaky as he smiled. “Then stay.”

  She sighed. “It can’t be that simple.”

  “Why not?”

  Jo opened her mouth, stammered for a moment before she tilted her head. “It just never is.”

  He grinned. “But maybe it can be.”

  “Will it be enough if I say I’ll think about it?”

  Zac wrapped her hair around his fingers and nodded. “I’ll take anything. I’d close up shop and move to Boston if you asked.”

  Jo chuckled. “You would not.”

  “I would.”

  The warmth of her skin shot a thrill down his spine when she nuzzled against his neck. “Well, your mom was right. Dawson men do know all the right things to say. Let’s think about things, together, Zac. But tonight, can we just stay like this?”

  He claimed her lips again right on the shore. And all through the night. Zac would do anything to keep Jo in his arms for however long she wanted him.

  Chapter 16

  “I think it’s sweet,” Dot said as she scanned neon bait jars. “I’ve never seen Zac like this, and I’m not just saying that.”

  “Keeping me on at the clinic has nothing to do with it?”

  Dot lau
ghed as she tossed a pack of shiners and hooks at Jo. “Not saying I don’t have ulterior motives, but it doesn’t matter anyway. The clinic’s struggling, Jo.”

  With a furrowed brow, Jo glanced over her shoulder as Dot adjusted the white sun hat covering her cinnamon hair. “What do you mean? I thought it was doing okay.”

  Dot sighed. “So did I. Turns out, Dr. Raymond has spent the last four months billing the wrong codes for his patients. Blame it on not having enough medical assistants, but I thought for sure the doc would know what codes were right. Anyway, there’s no reimbursement coming, and my daddy thinks the clinic might be more a financial burden than it helps.”

  Jo’s insides twisted. The clinic helped so many people, but what could she do? Worse, was how could she stay without a place to work? As much as Zac meant to her, Jo admitted to his face working as his assistant would drive her into an early grave. “That’s awful.”

  “Yeah, Raymond, as strange as the man is, feels pretty terrible. Offered to work without pay and all that. But I’m not sure it would be enough.”

  “I wish there was something I could do to help. Don’t doubt that the clinic does a lot of good for people, Dot.”

  “I see it, and I’m trying to use all my persuasive powers to convince my father of the same.”

  “What about fundraising?”

  Dot tilted her head. “That’s an idea, maybe the community would pitch in to help save it, but daddy is already looking for buyers. I’m not sure there’s time.”

  Jo sighed as she picked out a sleek red pole and held it up for Dot, who only shrugged. She had about as much experience as Jo at this stuff. “Well, maybe it would stall any sales for a little while.”

  “I’ll give it a shot. I like living in Honeyville, and if the clinic closes, I’d probably head back to the offices in Raleigh to work.” Dot waved her hands in front of her face and grinned. “Enough about me. Let’s get this day going.”