Page 34 of Grounds for Love

There’s nothing to do but treat her hand and then turn the shower on before I carry her in.

An hour later after a hearty breakfast at the diner, I reluctantly pull up to Uncommon Grounds. I don’t want to let her go.

“I wish you’d let me clean the kitchen before we left.”

“It’s no problem. Really.” It’s no problem because I texted the lady that cleans for me once a week and asked if she could make an emergency visit. I left her an extra large tip. She’ll earn it, but Jenni doesn’t need to know that. She feels bad enough already. She’s apologized at least fifty times.

I take her hand and we start the climb upstairs to her apartment. “Can I pick you up for dinner tonight? Maybe that new seafood restaurant?”

Her beautiful smile is absent. “Sure, that would be great.”

I walk her to her door, take her face in my hands, and kiss her up against the door. When I raise my head, she has that dazed look on her face and that’s the way I want to leave her. Remembering who can make her feel this way. Not any of those jerks that will be coming in downstairs at the shop.

“Sweetheart, I don’t care if you can cook. What I do care about is you. You’re kind and smart and beautiful and I am one lucky son of a gun that you’ll give me a chance.” I give her one last brief kiss and leave before I follow her inside and carry her to the bedroom.

The next four weeks are perfect except for one thing. The goodnight kiss at Jenni’s door every night is getting harder and harder. I don’t want to take her home. I want to take her to my home and put her in my bed. I want to fall asleep with her in my arms and I want to wake up and see her smiling face. I want to get ready for the day with her and then spend the rest of it wondering what she’s doing at work and texting her when I need that connection. We’ve had some fun texts and some hot texts.

I love picking her up from work, but my favorite is when she drives to my house because that means she’s staying overnight. I don’t even care what we do as long as we do it together. I think taking her to the Sciquarium on the mainland proves that point. It’s an aquarium that focuses on the science of the oceans and marine life. Jenni enjoyed it and I got a kick out of seeing her excitement.

Like tonight we’re at my brother Blake’s house for a backyard shrimp boil. The whole family and close friends are all here. The women grab Jenni as soon as we arrive and they’ve been sitting around the fire pit gabbing and laughing ever since.

It’s good to see her so relaxed and having fun. I love how saying those three words are coming easier now. I love to hear her laugh and see her so comfortable with my family, but I still wish we were alone.

“She’s the one?”

My brother breaks the focus I have on my girl. I take the beer he’s offering and I don’t even pretend to misunderstand. “She is, Blake. After Grace, I never thought I’d have this again or even want it again. Especially at this age.”

“Hannah and I couldn’t be happier for you. Jen is a great woman and fits right into our family. Do I need to tell Hannah to get ready for an engagement party? You know how much she loves to throw them.”

I’m not proud that hearing the word engagement makes me sweat. My thoughts hadn’t really progressed to that point.

“I’m not sure we’re there yet and I’m not going to rush Jenni. We both have similar histories to work through.”

“No two people belong together more than you two. You both deserve a second chance at love.”

I have to check and make sure the man beside me is actually my brother. “You sound like a damn greeting card. When did you get so sappy?”

Blake slaps me on the back and chuckles. “All I’m saying is I’m glad to have my brother back. It’s good to see you happy.”

I watch my brother join his lovely wife and grin. It does feel good to be happy. I never realized how much energy it took to remain constantly grumpy.

Later in the week, I’m anxious to spend time with Jenni. She’s been so busy at work with the influx of summer tourists that we haven’t had a sleepover in days. I’m a needy son of a bitch, but there’s the truth, folks.

After much thought, I’ve come up with a plan, which is why I’m walking through the door of Uncommon Grounds this morning. Well, and for a cup of coffee. For once, the place is deserted except for Jenni behind the counter, sniffing a bag of beans like there’s something wrong with them.

“Hey, beautiful.”

Jenni looks up and smiles widely as she leans over the counter for a much needed kiss. I’m not into PDA, but after the day we angry-kissed in here, I think that ship has sailed.

“Hey, let me take this to the trash and I’ll get your coffee.”

“No rush. I’m not on the schedule today. Want me to take that for you and then maybe we can sit down for a cup and one of those double devil brownies?”

“You’re on. Unless customers come in.”

She hands me the bag and wrinkles her nose. “You want me to put them in the garbage in the kitchen?”

She winces and shivers. “Gosh, no. Take them to the dumpster out back. They’ve gone bad.”

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