No Ordinary Joe

by Michelle Celmer

  “I take it you talked to Joe,” she said, trying not to sound as defensive as she was feeling.

  “You know Joe, he doesn’t talk about anything. But I heard he was there.”

  Heard he was…? Reily frowned. Why did she get the feeling they were talking about two different things?

  “I didn’t even know you liked Nate,” Lindy said. “Not that I blame you. The guy is a hottie.”

  She was talking about Nate? She had actually forgotten all about him kissing her last night. And though it was silly, a gush of relief washed over her.

  “I don’t like him,” Reily said.

  Lindy stopped slicing and looked over at her. “Then why were you guys making out on Main Street?”

  It was truly amazing how people managed to twist the facts. “We weren’t ‘making out.’ It was one kiss, and he only did it to make Joe jealous.”

  Lindy’s brow rose. “Why ever would he do that?”

  “Because he saw us—” Making out in the car? She couldn’t tell Lindy that. And she couldn’t admit to liking Joe. “Because he thinks…” She pursed her lips. There was no way to explain it without giving away her feelings for Joe. Which would obviously be a bad idea at this point. “It’s complicated.”

  “Well, then, who was Joe trying to make jealous?”

  Reily blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “When you were making out on the porch swing.” She grinned wryly. “Or was that just one kiss, too?”

  Reily cringed. No, that had definitely been making out. “Do you have a network of spies following me?” she asked Lindy.

  Lindy grinned and set the paring knife down. “If you kiss a guy in the middle of Main Street, people are going to notice.”

  “And Joe?”

  “My friend Claire was visiting her parents, who just happen to live across the street from Joe, and she told me that she saw Joe kissing some blonde chick on the porch, which, believe me, is pretty big news in this town. And since you’re the only blonde chick he’s been hanging around lately…” She shrugged. “I put two and two together.”

  Reily wondered if Joe knew that people were already talking about them. And if not, how would he feel when he found out? Probably not happy at all.

  “So,” Lindy said. “Are you two…?” She made a suggestive, borderline obscene gesture with her fingers.

  “Of course not!” Reily said, batting at her hand before Joe could see her. “It’s not like that.”

  “What’s not like what?” Joe said from behind her.

  Startled, Reily spun around. “Joe, hi!” she said a little too enthusiastically.

  He looked from Reily to Lindy, his brow furrowing. “Did I interrupt something?”

  Lindy leaned on the bar, smiling sweetly. “Reily was just trying to convince me that, despite playing tonsil hockey on the porch swing with you last night, you two are not, in fact, knocking boots.”

  Joe shot Lindy an exasperated look and asked Reily, “Could I have a word with you in my office, please?”

  He was upset that Lindy knew. She could see it in his face. He was going to tell Reily that they should only be friends again. Or knowing that they obviously couldn’t be trusted to keep their hands off each other, maybe he would take it a step further and say they couldn’t be friends either. Maybe he would even fire her.

  Heart in her throat, she followed him into the back to his office. As soon as they were inside, he shut the door—which could not be a good sign—then turned to face her.

  “I didn’t tell her,” Reily said.

  “Reily—”

  “Lindy’s friend Claire’s parents live across the street from you and she was there—Claire I mean, not Lindy—and she saw us on the porch. You know…kissing.”

  Arms folded, Joe sat on the edge of his desk. “Okay.”

  “She told Lindy that she saw you making out with some blonde chick, and since I’m the only blonde chick you’ve been hanging around lately.…” She shrugged. “I guess Lindy just put two and two together. And to deny it would have been a lie. And I really hate lying to people. So, she knows.”

  “About the kissing.”

  “Yes, but only on the porch,” she said, aware that she was babbling and that nothing she said at this point would make any difference. Lindy knew, which meant it probably wouldn’t be long before everyone knew. “I didn’t mention the bedroom, because, I mean, obviously Claire couldn’t have seen that.”

  He just sat there as if he were waiting for more, and when she said nothing—she wasn’t sure what else she could say—he asked, “Are you finished?”

  She nodded, bracing herself for the big letdown. For the this-isn’t-going-to-work speech. Instead he reached out and took her hand, pulling her between his spread thighs. She gave a little gasp as he pulled her against him, but his lips, soft and warm over hers, muffled the sound. Either this was his way of letting her down easy, or he wasn’t so upset after all. And honestly, she didn’t care, because when Joe kissed her, when he put his hands on her, she could think of nothing but how good it was, how right it felt to be close to him.

  When he finally broke the kiss, she felt dizzy and weak-kneed.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  He grinned and she could swear her internal temperature rose ten degrees. “I’ve been thinking about doing that all morning. And to be honest, most of the night.”

  “You have?”

  His brow rose. “You haven’t?”

  Was he nuts? Of course she had! “I barely slept, I was so obsessed with the thought of kissing you again. I just thought you would be upset that Lindy knew. And I was afraid that maybe you would think that I told her.”

  “She already grilled me about it this morning when she came in. I didn’t tell her any more than she already knew, which is probably why she was trying to pump you for information.”

  “And you’re okay with her knowing?”

  “It’s not like we have a choice. She does know. Someone was bound to figure it out eventually.”

  “So what does this mean? Are we dating? Friends with benefits? What?”

  “Definitely friends,” he said, resting his hands on her hips, his thumbs hooked in the belt loops of her jeans—a rather intimate stance for two people who were “friends.” Then he flashed her a sly grin. “Benefits would be nice, too.”

  “Lily Ann can’t know.”

  “I agree,” Joe said.

  Reily couldn’t stand the thought of hurting her, of getting Lily Ann’s hopes up, then seeing them crushed. She worried about hurting Joe, too, but this thing between them seemed to be self-perpetuating, thriving off its own momentum. Short of leaving town today, she didn’t see how either of them would be able to stop it. But that didn’t mean they had to let it get out of control.

  “We both need to be clear about where this is going,” she said.

  “What you really mean is where it isn’t going. You’re leaving.”

  “And you’re okay with that?”

  “It’s not as if I have a choice.”

  Guilt assaulted her. “Joe—”

  “I’m okay with it,” he said, tightening his grip on her hips, as if he thought she might bolt. “I think…I think I need this. For the first time in a long time I feel as if I’m actually living my life, and not just watching it pass by.”

  She liked the idea that she was helping him, that because of her, he could finally get over Beth and get on with his life. That he could be happy again, because he deserved it.

  “So we’ll keep it casual?” she said.

  He nodded. “Absolutely.”

  “And take things slow.”

  There was the slightest pause before he said, “Of course.”

  A loud rap on the office door made
her jump. She tried to back away from Joe, so whoever it was wouldn’t see them standing so close, but he tightened his grip on her hips.

  “Come in!” he called. Apparently he didn’t care who knew about them now.

  The door swung open and Jill appeared, followed almost immediately by the stale stench of cigarette smoke. “Hey, Joe, here’s my—”

  She was holding out a pack of cigarettes, but when she saw Joe and Reily standing so close, she blinked in surprise and her arm dropped to her side. “Oh, s-sorry. I’ll…come back later.”

  Jill backed toward the door, eyes averted, but she couldn’t hide the jumble of emotions that crossed her face. Jealousy, anger, hurt. She obviously liked Joe. Anyone with half a brain could see the way she fawned over him, would recognize her awkward attempts at flirting despite getting shot down over and over again. And though she had never been anything but surly, and at times downright hostile, Reily couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

  “What do you need?” Joe asked her, not moving his hands from Reily’s hips.

  “I was just, um, going to give you my smokes.”

  Joe slipped his thumb from Reily’s belt loop and reached for the pack. “Thanks.”

  She stepped forward, placed them in his hand, then jerked back, as if he and Reily were infected with some horrible disease she was afraid she might catch. Then she mumbled something about getting to work and backed out of the room, shutting the door firmly behind her.

  “That was awkward,” Reily said.

  Joe just shrugged, tossing the cigarettes onto his desk.

  “You know she has a crush on you.”

  “I know.”

  “I think you may have just broken her heart.”

  He shrugged again. “Not much I can do about that.”

  Reily frowned. “I feel bad for her. She seems very…lonely. And unhappy.”

  Someone rapped on the door.

  Joe sighed and called, “Yeah?”

  This time it was Lindy, and when she saw the two of them standing so close, she grinned and said, “Well, I guess that explains it.”

  “Explains what?” Joe asked.

  “Why Jill is in such a huff.”

  Joe glared at her. “Is that all you wanted?”

  “Annie called. She’s going to be an hour late for her shift tonight.”

  “Ask Renee if she can stay late.”

  “Will do.” She left, closing the door behind her.

  Almost immediately there was another knock.

  Joe grumbled under his breath and said in an exasperated voice, “Come in!”

  Ray, one of the cooks, stuck his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, boss, but the service guy is here to look at the air conditioner.”

  “Tell him I’ll be right out.”

  With a grin, Ray nodded and shut the door.

  “So, you think everyone knows?” Reily asked Joe.

  “If not, give it about five more minutes. It was inevitable, I guess.”

  And he seemed to be okay with that.

  “I suppose we should get to work,” he said, and gave her one last, slow, sweet kiss before releasing her. “I don’t suppose you’re free tonight after work. Say, ten-thirtyish. Maybe we could kick back, have a beer. Fool around a little.”

  She couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the evening. “I think we could arrange that.”

  He tagged her with one more quick kiss, then went out back to deal with the repair guy while she went to the bar to prep for the flow of customers that would hit the minute they unlocked the front door at eleven.

  Lindy, of course, was already behind the bar and looking smug. “Didn’t I say that he likes you?”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “I knew you guys would make an adorable couple.”

  Reily grabbed her apron and tied it around her waist. “I think it’s a little premature to be calling us a couple. We’re keeping it casual.” And taking it slow. But considering how quickly things had progressed in his bedroom last night, slow may not have been a realistic objective.

  But she didn’t want this to be just about sex. Not that she didn’t think it would be great, and it’s not as if she was a virgin or anything. She just didn’t feel they should rush this. And she felt especially weird about them fooling around with his daughter in the house, even if they were behind a locked door.

  “So, does this mean you’re staying in Paradise?” Lindy asked, looking hopeful.

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  Lindy shrugged. “You say that now—”

  “I’m going to Nashville. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. All I’ve dreamed of. Besides, who says Joe would even want me to stay? We may get to know each other and find out that we’re completely incompatible.”

  “And if you’re not? If you fall madly in love with him?”

  That was entirely possible, and the idea scared the hell out of her. “Lindy, if I don’t go, if I give up my dream for him, who’s to say that I won’t regret it later on? Who’s to say I won’t do exactly what Beth did?”

  Lindy frowned at the thought.

  “Besides, technically, I’m the first woman he’s been interested in since his divorce, which means I’m his rebound relationship. And rebound relationships never work.”

  “My parents are a rebound relationship and they’ve been together for thirty-six years.”

  “Joe is going to meet someone, Lindy. Someone who can give him what he needs. Someone ready to settle down and have a family. That’s just not me. Not now.”

  Lindy looked as though she might push the issue, but then Renee unlocked the door and the first customers arrived. Reily was flattered that Lindy liked her enough to want her to stay in town, and if circumstances were different, and Reily was looking for a place to put down roots, Paradise would be ideal. Even if things with Joe didn’t work out.

  But until she had to leave, they would just have to make the best of their time together, and hope that would be enough.

  Chapter Twelve

  Joe hadn’t seen or heard from his mother since their confrontation last Monday night. He knew through word of mouth that the “strange woman staying at the Sunrise,” which was how the people in the city had been referring to her, had been popping up occasionally all over town, but was mostly keeping to herself. Which was fine with him, as long as she stayed out of his way. He was confident that it wouldn’t be long before she realized that he wasn’t worth the trouble—just as she had thirty years ago—and left town.

  But by Wednesday of the following week, she proved to be more determined to see him than he anticipated.

  “Do you know that woman?” Jill asked him just as the dinner rush was beginning to die down, gesturing to a booth near the front window.

  Joe turned and looked across the dining room, cursing under his breath when he saw that his mother was sitting there. “She’s no one,” he told Jill.

  “Well, she was asking me a whole bunch of questions about you. It was kinda creepy.”

  “What did you tell her?” he snapped, harsher than he’d intended.

  Jill looked taken aback. “Nothing, I swear.”

  “Are you talking about that woman over there?” Renee asked, stopping beside them on her way to the kitchen.

  “Yeah,” Jill said. “She was grilling me about Joe.”

  “Me too!” Renee said. “I think she’s that lady staying at the Sunrise.”

  This was getting out of hand fast.

  “I’ll take care of it,” Joe told them, bristling with annoyance. Hanging around town keeping to herself was one thing, but he couldn’t have her harassing his employees. It was annoying enough that practically everyone he knew felt compelled to comment on his relationship with Reily. If anyone learned tha
t his long-lost mother was in town, he would never hear the end of it.

  He crossed to her table. She smiled up at him and said, “Hello, Joey.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  She looked down at the salad she’d barely touched, then back up at him. “Having dinner, of course.”

  She looked tired and a little pale, as if she was still recovering from whatever she’d had.

  “You’re not welcome here,” he told her.

  Unfazed, she looked around. “This is a public place, is it not?”

  “You’re harassing my employees.”

  “I would hardly call asking them a few questions harassment,” she said, looking so frustratingly serene he wanted to put his fist through the wall.

  His jaw clenched tight, he said, “I’d like you to leave.”

  “I will. Just as soon as I’ve finished my meal. Which is delicious, by the way. So good that I’ll be back for lunch tomorrow. Then dinner tomorrow night. Then lunch the following day…” She made a loopy gesture with one slender, finely boned hand. “You get the picture.”

  She was so tiny. Barely over five feet, and not much more than skin and bones. He knew from the photos his father had saved that she was slender, but he had always pictured her as taller. Reily’s height, maybe. But he had the feeling she wasn’t nearly as fragile as she looked.

  “This isn’t going to work,” he said. “Whatever you came here to say, I don’t want to hear. I’m not going to talk to you.”

  She shrugged. “We’ll see.”

  Clenching his fists, Joe turned and walked to the bar to talk to Lindy, who had clearly witnessed the exchange.

  “Hey, are you okay?” she asked him. “You look really upset.”

  He was sure his blood pressure was through the roof. “I’m fine.”

  “Joe, who is that woman?”

  “No one.”

  “She’s obviously not no one.”