Page 12 of Unexpected Love
“I thought about leaving a note telling them how I feel about their lack of musical tolerance, but I don’t know if I want to take a chance on seeing them face-to-face.”
“I guess it’s a good thing you don’t have to pass them in a hall if you’re going to be bickering with each other. But be careful.”
He drops the false attempt at laughter and wraps me in another hug.
“You’ve come a long way, Jules. You’ve survived a tornado. Living with my chaotic family. All the bullshit you went through with that ex of yours.” He pauses, and I feel him swallow. “Your new shop is going to be amazing, and everyone is gonna come get their coffee and tea and shit. You’re gonna be just fine, but I’m sure gonna miss having you around the house.”
I draw in a deep breath and hold it for a second, letting his confidence soak into my bones.
Releasing that breath, I try to let my worries go with it. I’ve come too far, sacrificed too much, to give up now.
I give him a last squeeze and pull away. “Thanks. I needed that hug.”
“Any time and always,” he replies.
A half hour later, I turn the key and open the door to my future.
“I can see why you like it.” Steve scans the empty space with his hands on his hips. “It’s got great bones. Plenty of natural light. And a ton of foot traffic.”
“Yeah, the park gets used regularly. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it empty.”
I survey the large room and let my imagination fill in the gaps of where the counter will go, seeing the fullbookshelves and comfy couches in the back nook area, all the tables filled with people who’d come spend a moment of downtime in my cozy shop.
One wall is old brick, and the remnants of plaster walls create an interesting pattern. “Imagine art hanging on the walls from local artists. And full tables.”
“I can definitely see it.”
The front door opens, and a delivery guy pokes his head in. “Got a delivery for Jules.”
I smile. “That’s me.”
And just like that, my fears settle. Now it’s all about making a dream come true. About proving the demons in my past wrong.
All I’ve got to do is get the contractor to call me back.
Chapter 5
Cal
“Ican’t do this.” I gag into my shoulder against the assault of the dirty diaper Charlie has bestowed on me.
I have her tiny feet gathered in one hand, lifted into the air as I get a video call lesson on proper diaper-changing technique. Rosie and Liv crack up laughing. I can even hear Mac’s deep, rumbling chuckle in the background.
“How did someone this little make this much—” I retch again but hold fast to Charlie, who’s wriggling and trying to roll away. “It’s everywhere. Up her back, down her legs, in her hair.”
The dry heaving is real.
My eyes burn from the stench.
“I can’t get it off. These wipes aren’t doing anything. Shit is everywhere. She needs to be pressure washed.”
“Do not pressure wash the baby,” Liv scolds. “But”—she winces—“sometimes a bath is easier. Call me back if you need me.”
The call disconnects, and I pull the rest of Charlie’s clothes off, which is only her socks. “What’d you eat, Belle?How does a body this tiny have that much room to produce this much shit?”
“Shit,” Charlie chirps as I haul her up at arm’s length.
“Yeah, yeah, kiddo. You did. A bunch.” I should be more worried about language, but right now, I just want to get her clean.
