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"So, what’s next for you? Are you going to stay with your mom indefinitely?"
I sigh, not wanting to talk about the whole living situation issue but at the same time, needing someone to listen to me vent about it. "I don’t know. The house is a mess after the storm, and the insurance company is dragging their feet. It feels like they’re trying to find any excuse not to pay for the repairs. I mean, it’s not like we purposely damaged the house. We can’t be the only home affected by that storm. It…" I break off and shake my head. I don’t need to get so riled up.
Hannah nods sympathetically. "Insurance companies can be the worst. Have you thought about what you’ll do if it takes a long time to get everything sorted? I mean, are you going to keep staying with Jay?"
"I don’t want to stay with Jay forever, imposing on him like that. I don’t know. Living with him and my mom is like… being a teenager again. She wants to know when I’m getting back from work, and it feels like I’m constantly listening for her if I kiss Jay or–” I cut myself off before I give more details, because Hannah does not need to know any details. “But I also don’t want to leave my mom right now. I quit my job to come here, and… I have a lot going on.”
"I would offer our place, seriously, but I just don’t think it would be a good solution.”
I smile, grateful for her support. "Thanks, Hannah. I just wish I knew what was going to happen with insurance. That would be one weight off my shoulders."
Before Hannah can respond, I hear a familiar voice behind me. "Hey, ladies. How’s the booth going?"
I turn to see Jay approaching, and my breath catches in my throat. He’s dressed in a bear costume, complete with fuzzy ears and a big, goofy grin. It’s hard to see much of him under it, but it definitely looks warm in the cold fall wind. He looks absolutely ridiculous, and I can’t help but laugh.
"Oh my god, Jay. You look amazing."
Jay strikes a pose, making Hannah and me laugh even harder. "Why, thank you. I thought I’d get into the spirit of things. And I couldn’t leave my foxy lady hanging."
Now, it’s my turn to strike a pose. I put a hand on my hip and lift my chin, gazing off into the distance like I’m too good for those around me.
Hannah claps her hands, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You definitely did. That costume is perfect."
Jay grins, looking pleased with himself. "I’m glad you think so." Then, Jay turns back to me. “Hannah, if it’s going to bother you, then look away,” he says, before putting his hands on my hips and leaning down for a kiss.
I hear Hannah making comical retching noises as Jay kisses me. If I felt cold before, I don’t anymore. His kisses ignite something in me, and I want to strip that bear costume off right now. I wonder if he’s wearing anything underneath the fuzzy brown fur.
I feel something stirring in me, and then, I remember that there are a lot of children running around. I should at least try to be a good example. I push back and try to catch my breath as Jay smiles his heart-stopping smile.
Seeing him like this, so willing to be silly and have fun, makes something click inside me. Or maybe it was the sensuous kiss while he’s wearing the bear costume. Either way, I realize just how much he means to me, how much I care about him. That he would go to such lengths to make me smile means more than I can put into words.
"Thanks, Jay," I say, feeling a warmth in my chest. "You really did surprise me. I thought you might have forgotten the whole costume thing or decided you were too cool for it or… whatever."
He looks at me, his eyes softening. "I’m glad you like it. You deserve to have some fun, Vi."
I want to say something, something to explain the change that just happened in my heart, but then I remember something. It’s not something I can just pretend hasn’t happened either. I’m pregnant, and Jay still doesn’t know. I look up into his smiling eyes and wonder how his expression would change if I blurted it out right now.
Before I can even think about doing that, Hannah nudges me.
"Hey, why don’t we take a break? Violet and I can get someone to watch the booth for a while, and we can all go enjoy the festival together."
I glance at Jay, who nods eagerly. "That sounds like a great idea."
"Are you sure?" I ask, feeling a bit guilty about leaving the booth.
"Absolutely," Hannah says. "We’ve been here for a couple of hours already. And what’s the point of being here all day if we don’t get to enjoy the festival ourselves?"
As another volunteer from the shelter takes over for us at the booth, Jay slips his hand into mine and whispers something close to my ear. “You look sexy. I can’t wait to take your costume off you when we get home.”
His words send a shiver of desire through me.
CHAPTER 37
JAY
The festival is alive with energy, and I can’t wait to experience it with Violet, Hannah, and Charlie. I would prefer some private time with Violet, but I get that Hannah is her best friend. And at least Hannah isn’t shooting daggers at me anymore for showing up in Violet’s life.
We make our way through the crowd, the sounds of laughter and music filling the air. I take Violet's hand and feel a thrill run through me. This is our chance to have fun, to enjoy each other’s company.
