Page 59 of Pour Decisions
JD belly laughs, a rarity that makes me laugh too. “Was that your plan the whole time? To make me strong enough to fuck you like that?”
“It crossed my mind at least four times.” I grin and roll onto my side to face him.
His cheeks are flushed from exertion and a smile is lingering on his lips. I lean over and kiss him instead of saying something I’m not sure I should say yet.
But god, it feels really damn good to be with him again like this. He isn’t the same person he was ten years ago, and neither am I. Reconnecting with him feels more right than ever. Mom’s advice feels flat out wrong.
“What is it?” JD asks, scanning my expression.
“Just my mom.” I roll my eyes. “I told her about us and she got all weird, saying I should reconsider. But this is after I told her about what really happened last time.”
His frown returns. “So she knows the context and is still against me?”
“Yeah. I mean, maybeagainst youis harsh, but she was skeptical. She said she didn’t want me to get hurt again,” I say. JD lets out a breath through his nose. “Do you not believe her?”
JD stares up at the ceiling for a few beats. “No.”
I snort at how sure he sounds. “Well, damn.”
“Sorry, kitten.” He brushes my hair off my shoulder. “From what you said, she always sounded jealous of you. And she put you through a lot,
“It wasn’t that bad?—”
“Katrina.” JD’s stern tone mixed with his expression makes me pause. “Don’t minimize that shit. Just because she was distant or disengaged doesn’t mean she wasn’t harmful.”
He’s right. But I don’t want to admit that out loud yet, so I tuck myself against his chest and stay quiet.
“But my heart isn’t as good as yours,” he says softly. “I’m not nearly as forgiving.”
Should I be this forgiving with my mom? I’ve wanted to have a better relationship with her my entire life, and that begins with starting fresh. But what if there’s something I’m missing in all of this?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
JD
It takesme way too long to realize why everyone at work is wearing a costume—it’s Halloween. It’s obvious by the time I get to the break room, which is decorated in fake cobwebs and pumpkins. The counter is already filled with treats and candy.
I snag a few pieces and start making my coffee.
“Bubba’s naked!” Dolores says with a sigh as she pets Bubba, who I’ve allowed to follow me into the office kitchen. Thankfully he’s never been drawn to eat sweet treats, so he won’t be tempted. “No Halloween costume for you, buddy?”
“I forgot it was today,” I say. If I had run into Katrina this morning, she would have reminded me. But she was fast asleep when I got up, and I didn’t want to wake her. She loves Halloween. I should have asked her what her plans are. I have a lot on my plate today, so I make a mental note to text her and ask once I’m at my desk.
“I kind of figured you would, so I brought him this stuff!” She whips out a tiny cowboy hat and a red bandanna from her bag, like she knew I’d forget. “You wanna be a cowboy, baby?”
She could have asked Bubba if he wanted to destroy the rainforest and he would have wagged his tail. So of course, he stands still while she puts on his little hat and bandanna.
Admittedly, he looks ridiculous, but cute.
Everyone passing through the kitchen coos at him and he soaks in all of the attention. At one point, four people are petting him while he’s stretched out on his side, tail thumping against the floor. I snap a picture where his hat is cocked to the side to send to Kat.
I let Bubba be and head to my office, grabbing my phone. I text Kat the picture of Bubba and she responds right away.
Katrina: You got him a costume???? HE LOOKS SO CUTE
Me: No, someone at work did because they knew I’d forget. What are your plans for Halloween?
Katrina: Handing out candy and maybe watching a horror movie? Something spooky but I can celebrate alone if you’re going to be home late.
