Page 18 of Loving Josy
As she returns to her task, I stand there, the weight of her words settling over me. Maybe it’s time to stop running from my feelings, to stop hiding behind the walls I’ve built around my heart. But the thought of opening up to Noah, of letting myself hope again, is terrifying and I don’t know if that would ever change. Still, something in Violet’s words lingers in my mind maybe I do deserve to be happy.
Chapter Eight
Noah
Acouple of years ago, when the business started picking up steam, Esteban and I realized we couldn’t keep running things out of the bed of my truck and the corner of his garage. We needed a proper space and someone to help us manage the chaos. That’s when Eva, my sister, suggested her friend Payton. She turned out to be a lifesaver—sharp, efficient, and somehow always two steps ahead of us.
The office is small but functional, tucked into a corner of a modest building downtown. The scent of fresh coffee lingers in the air thanks to Payton’s perpetual supply. She keeps everything running so smoothly that even on the rare days Esteban and I aren’t around, the place hums along like clockwork.
Today, I’m here to grab a quote I finalized for Josy’s Sweet Shop. The remodel has been on my mind nonstop, not just because it’s an important project, but because ofher.
Walking toward Payton’s desk, I see her sitting with her signature no-nonsense posture, her fingers flying across the keyboard. She glances up as I approach, her expression already knowing.
“Hey, did you get a chance to print the quote for Josy’s Sweet Shop?” I ask, resting a hand on the edge of her desk.
She nods and reaches for a blue folder. “Right here. Everything’s accounted for.”
“Perfect,” I say, flipping it open to scan the contents. Each line item is carefully detailed, from the demolition costs to the sleek finishes Josy requested. As I double-check the numbers, I find myself wondering if she’ll like it. No—hopingshe will.
“You’ve got a good eye for detail, Noah.” Payton’s tone come across light but approving. “Josy will appreciate that.”
I look up from the quote and give her a quick smile. “Thanks. Just want to make sure it’s exactly what she’s expecting.”
Payton arches an eyebrow. “And maybe a little more?” There’s a teasing edge to her voice that I ignore, pretending I didn’t catch the implication.
“Maybe,” I reply noncommittally, snapping the folder shut. “Thanks, Payton.”
“Anytime,” she says, already refocusing on her screen.
Grabbing my keys and the rest of my things from my office, I head out to the parking lot. The late afternoon sun glints off my truck’s hood as I climb inside, tossing the folder onto the passenger seat.
As I start the engine, my thoughts drift unintentionally to Josy. Her voice, her fiery attitude, the way she pretends I get on her last nerve when I can see the flicker of something else in her eyes. A mix of anticipation swirls in my chest, accompanied by something I can’t quite put a name to.
Gripping the steering wheel a little tighter, my gaze lingering on the folder. It’s not just the job I’m looking forward to, though. Not by a long shot.
Our last encounter was fun, and I can’t wait to rile her up again. I love when she acts all though and mad when in reality,I know she is just acting. I bet anything that she loves when we banter.
It took me four days to finally sit down and finish the quote since I’ve been busy. We’ve been swamped with other projects, and I’ve been juggling deadlines, trying to wrap up one so I can focus on renovating Josy’s new shop.
Every day this past week has been a struggle. My mom has been pestering me about coming to visit her and Dad, but I barely have the time to breathe, let alone make a trip. In some ways, though, I’m grateful for the constant busyness. It means the business is thriving, which is something I never take for granted.
I never imagined I’d be doing this after not going to college. There was a time when I thought that decision would haunt me forever. My siblings and everyone else had their doubts, but I was determined to prove them wrong. I worked hard, made connections, and did what needed to be done to succeed. Now, every packed day, every job that gets added to our list, is proof that I made the right call.
But even with all this success, there’s something missing and I believe it’s Josy. Maybe it’s the challenge, the way she keeps me on my toes, or the fact that, despite everything, I’ve never been able to fully move on from her. I thought that we were going to be something, then she just ghosted me. I tried to move on, dated and I slept around trying to find something meaningful but I couldn’t find a woman that I wanted to spend more than a night with. There’s no one that I feel more connected to than Josy. I don’t know what hold she has on me, but I want to figure that out.
As I pull into the parking spot, I take a moment to glance in the rearview mirror. "You are not going to provoke Josy today," I tell myself out loud, hoping to set the right tone for our meeting.As much as I enjoy seeing her blush and get flustered, today I’m aiming for a more civil conversation. This is business, after all.
I step out of my truck and start walking toward the shop. A few familiar faces pass by on the sidewalk, and I nod or say a quick hello. When I push open the door to the coffee shop, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee greets me. It’s late afternoon and the place is nearly empty.
Violet is seated at a table, focused on her laptop, but she looks up and smiles when she sees me. “Hi, Noah. How are you?”
“Hey, Vi. What’re you working on?” I ask, glancing at the screen.
“Oh, just some social media content. You know, keeping the coffee shop in everyone’s feed. Are you here to grab lunch?”
“No, I’m here to talk to Josy. Is she around?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual.
“She’s in her office. I’ll walk you back there.” Violet stands up and I nod following her through the shop.
