Page 89 of Before You
“It’s embarrassing,” he says, scratching the back of his neck, and I try not to get distracted by how his bicep flexes. “My parents couldn’t agree on what to name me, and my mom wanted to name me Jonathan, but my dad wanted Jacob. I think I went without a name for the first three days, my mom calling me Jonathan and my dad calling me Jacob before my uncle called me JJ, tired of hearing them bicker, and it stuck.”
Charlie sputters, laughter spilling from her. “So your name is Jonathan Jacob Walker?” she asks, and I giggle, because I can totally see them doing that.
The corners of JJ’s mouth pull up as he chuckles. “Actually, it’s Jonathan Jacob Alexander Walker. Alexander was my great-grandfather’s name, but talk about giving your kid the longest name on Earth to learn how to spell.”
I look at Eddie, curiosity getting the better of me because how have I never thought to ask what JJ stood for? “How do you know this?” I ask, astonished by this kernel of information.
“He didn’t believe how tall I was, so he asked to see my ID.” JJ snorts, his thumb dragging back and forth over my shirt, his fingertips grazing my skin.
“I thought your generation was supposed to be all interested in serial killers and stuff, and you didn’t think to ask for his ID?” Eddie asks, and JJ scoffs, but I mean, he has a point.
“Do I look like a serial killer?”
“I feel like his point is most serial killers don’t look like serial killers, so maybe you do, but I’m also literally never calling you JJ again as payback for all the times you’ve called me Charlotte,” Charlie says, beaming as Eddie chuckles.
“I think she means it,” I whisper, and JJ’s chest rumbles.
“Probably,” he agrees, stepping away toward an assortment of roses, plucking a lavender colored rose to pass to me.“Une belle fleur pour ma chérie.”24
I recognize the flower immediately as the same one Bria found outside our door, confirming my suspicions it was JJ all along.
His green eyes twinkle like stars in the night sky, and Eddie’s cane taps the floor again. “I’m taking it out of your pay,” Eddie says, but there’s nothing but fondness in his tone.
“You’re not paying me, Eddie,” JJ says, shaking his head as he leans toward me, his mouth kissing the corner of mine fleetingly. “I need to finish up here, and in the nicest way possible, I won’t be able to focus with you here. I’ll pick you up later?”
“Can’t wait,” I say, my heart turning to straight mush. “Charlie has some shopping to do in Bria’s closet. It was nice to meet you, Eddie. You have a beautiful shop,” I say, smiling at the old man.
“It was nice to meet you both,” Eddie says, and on our way out the door, I smile, hearing JJ and Eddie’s conversation continue before the door shuts behind us.
This time, I’m the one with a skip to my step as we walk back to my car.
~
“Are you going to tell me what the plan is?” I ask as JJ stops at a red light.
I caved and ended up texting him to ask what the plan was for tonight, but JJ kept his answer vague, saying to wear something casual and comfortable. It didn’t really help much, but I’m learning to adapt from the expectations of the city to find my own sense of style, despite how many people have been staring at me on campus since my relationship with JJ made headlines.
I picked a pair of denim shorts and a cute cropped top Charlie pulled from the back of my closet earlier, insisting I wear it tonight to bring out the blue in my eyes. I kept my hair natural and went light on my makeup, but I’m dying to know what JJ has planned for this evening. It honestly doesn’t matter what we do because the fact that he took the time to plan tonight means more to me than where we end up.
“We’re almost there,” he says, patting his hand resting on my thigh, temporarily distracting me. “You’re impatient tonight.”
“I’m curious,” I correct, causing JJ to chuckle. “You’re being secretive.”
“Is it so bad I want to surprise you?”
“When you don’t tell me where you’re taking me, it could be, especially if you’re a serial killer. Maybe Eddie had a point earlier,” I muse, loving the blush crawling up his neck as he shakes his head.
“Even if I were a serial killer, you’d have nothing to worry about because you would never be a victim of mine.”
I laugh, this conversation taking an entirely different spin than I ever thought it would. “Thank you for the reassurance,” I say, smiling as I rest my head against the headrest to watch JJ drive. If he isn’t going to tell me where we’re going, I might as well take the opportunity to check him out.
His white T-shirt hugs his biceps, and it’s really not fair how effortlessly attractive he is. JJ’s dark hair, prominent cheekbones, and green eyes are a lethal combination, making it impossible not to stare at him.
I can’t explain it, but there’s something different about JJ since his family visited, and I can’t put my finger on it. I thought he seemed really anxious the first few days, and then my brain is a little foggy from being sick, but I’ve noticed since his anxiety ceded a little, he’s more at peace? Maybe I’m crazy, but whatever the change, I think it’s helping him deal with some of the weight he carries.
“Sweetheart, I have to focus on the road, and if you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to want to watch you smile, and I’d really prefer to not crash my car.” I bite my lower lip, trying to hide my smile, but JJ gives me a quick side glance. “I didn’t say you had to stop smiling—I said I want to watch you smile.”
“Don’t they mean the same thing?”
