Page 40 of Only For You

“I know.” I dropped a kiss on the top of Seb’s head. “See you later, buddy.” And because I had to touch her, had to let her know everything would be okay even if right now it didn’t feel like it, I scooped my hand around Abbie’s cheek and pressed my lips to her forehead. “I’ll try.”

Saturday nights were always the busiest at The Stop, and tonight was no exception. I was run off my feet, so I didn’t even notice Josh and Emily had taken a table for dinner until he was at the bar to order drinks. I retrieved a white wine glass for Em and began to pour before Josh said a word.

“Hey, man. The usual?”

Josh frowned at me and then at three women with cocktails in their hands who were moving away from the bar, and I followed his gaze. Their heads were bowed together until one of them looked back at us, but when she saw we were looking, she shifted her gaze and started whispering.

Josh shook his head. “You know more than half your clientele only come here for the dimples, right?”

“Huh?” I screwed the cap back on the chilled bottle of Emily’s pinot grigio and pulled Josh a pale ale from the tap.

Josh tilted his head towards the disappearing women. “They come here for the grin and the flirt and the possibility of beingchosenwhen the lights go out.”

He didn’t know it, but Josh was picking at open wounds I’d been nursing all day. “What the fuck are you on about, Ford?”

Josh’s brow furrowed, and the tilt to his mouth pinched downwards. “I was trying to make a joke about the fact you look ready to punch someone. You haven’t smiled once since I got here.”

I set his drinks on the bar in front of him. “Am I not allowed to have a bad day?”

“Sure.” Josh hesitated, and instead of picking up his drinks, he perched on a stool and set his elbows on the bar. “Seriously, Kidd. What’s up?”

I dragged a hand through my hair and slung a dish towel over my shoulder, releasing a heavy sigh. I knew better than to be an arsehole to my mates, and at the invitation to talk, some of the pressure eased. “It’s been a big week.”

Josh blinked with concern. “Is everything all right with Seb?”

Even in my bad mood, I couldn’t stop smiling when I thought of my little boy. “Seb’s a dream. I mean, I’m fucking tired, and the little guy’s got a good set of lungs, but he’s awesome.” I shrugged and crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s hard to explain.”

“So, it’s the business side of things? The warehouse and the bar and—”

“I mean, that’s not helping, but it’s under control. Noa’s a huge help, and Birdie’s more hands-on than I thought she would be. The emails never stop, and I have to be in the warehouse everymorning to talk to contractors and accept deliveries, but it’s manageable.”

“Okay.” Josh rolled his lips to hide a grin. “That leaves Ellison.”

I shot him a sardonic look before I rolled my eyes. “That leaves Ellison.”

“Are things not working out?” Josh chuckled and shook his head. “Be patient. Abbie’s heart is always in the right place.”

“No, I know. It’s not that. Things are working out well, actually.” I tucked my chin and glanced up at him. “A little too well, if you get my drift.”

“Ah.” Josh gave me a shit-eating grin as he stood. A line of customers had started to form at the other end of the bar, and Josh bent his head towards them. “You take care of that, but are you free for a surf in the morning? I can give you my unsolicited advice then.”

I huffed out a dry chuckle. “Care to drop it on me now? Five words or less will do. I’m in a rush.”

Josh picked up his drinks. “Talk to her.”

“That’s it?” I flicked my towel at the bar. “Talk to her?”

He shrugged. “If my guess is right, not talking hasn’t done you any favours. You’re not going to get what you need from Abbie if you make this about sex. You’re both too comfortable with physical intimacy and terrified of any other kind.”

I blinked at Josh’s casual wisdom. “When the fuck did you get so enlightened?”

He laughed. “I’ve been where you are, and I’ve learned a few things this past year. If I remember correctly, you were the one who helped me get past my shit and admit that I loved Emily in the first place.”

“I never said I loved Abbie.”

Josh grinned and shot me a wink. “You didn’t have to.”

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