AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ali moved in closer and touched Jo’s arm. “Don’t worry about that. I trust that we’ll get through all these hurdles. It’s just something we have to discuss. No worries.”
Jo nodded, but the mood had shifted. What if Ali was there, saying she was going to spend the night, but really just did that for show? Ali could easily decide that they needed to go their separate ways, temporarily or on a more permanent basis. It could explain why there was a sudden drop in phone calls and texts. Was she getting too much in her head? Maybe, but these were things that she needed to focus on. She didn’t want all of this to end only because it was hard to sustain.
“Food is ready,” she replied.
She grabbed two plates, loaded up the food on the plates, and then handed one to Ali. They sat them down on the kitchen table before Jo went to the refrigerator to get the wine and grabbed the two glasses. The whole time, her mind was a flutter with what Ali wanted to discuss with her. How she would get through the meal was beyond her.
She took it back to the table and then sat down. “Oh, salt,” she said. She jumped up and grabbed the salter and pepper, then went back to the table.
“Are you thinking about it?” Ali asked.
Jo snickered. “Am I that transparent?”
Ali shrugged. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything until we were done eating. I didn’t want to spoil the meal for us.”
Jo sighed. Maybe she should have, but that wouldn’t have been any better. If she sprung her with a deep conversation, Jo would have considered that Ali was hiding something from her. So, this was probably the best solution for all involved.
“Can you give me a hint?”
Ali smiled. “I’ll tell you this. What I’m going to discuss with you isn’t going to break us. We will get through it. I truly mean that. It’s just…” Her words trailed off, and she looked down at her food and shook her head. “Let’s not worry about that. I don’t want everything to get cold, but I promise you that we’ll have the discussion, and you’ll see that you’re worrying over nothing.”
Jo tilted her head. “Then why can’t you just say it here?”
“It’s not that I can’t. It just seems like more of the conversation that we should have in the living room on a relaxing couch, not in between bites of food.” She reached out and touched Jo’s hand. “You’re cute when you worry, though.”
“Then I must be absolutely adorable.” Jo rolled her eyes as Ali snickered. But then, she decided that waiting for that conversation was necessary because it would only push Ali if she tried to change it, and it wasn’t worth Ali getting annoyed by the situation.
They settled into eating, where the conversation touched on normal aspects of their life. Starting out with Vincent and his meeting with Maverick. “He really looked like he was enjoying himself for that hour,” Ali started.
Jo relaxed and nodded. That was a conversation she could settle on. “May saw the way Vincent interacted with Maverick, and she believes that I should look at getting Maverick put in a program to emotionally support people in hospitals or others who just need something by their side. It is true that Maverick has been a comfort to me. I’m not sure I really want to share him, but seeing how Vincent lit up for that hour makes me question if I’m just being selfish. I want to see others light up in that same fashion.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Ali replied. “But I know you’ll know best.”
Jo smiled, appreciative of those words. “I never really got to properly thank you for getting this to work, even though we had to lie about it, but then it got found out.” Jo shrugged. “Either way, it meant a lot to me that you stepped out and got that done.”
“It was the right thing to do,” Ali replied. “And that is the perfect segue into what we need to discuss.” Ali looked down at her food, then across the table to Jo’s. “Are you ready for dessert?”
“Depends on what kind,” Jo replied with a laugh. “I’m not really sure the Strawberry Shortcake will be what I need as I’m getting fuller with each bite.”
Ali smirked. “I was kind of feeling the same way. So, let’s finish up what we can of this fabulous meal and then take the wine to the couch. What do you say?”
“You read my mind.”
They ate for another fifteen minutes, chatting about the weather and how the forecast had said there would be a straight week of rain chances, yet they had been dry every day. Luckily, it would have hindered everything if it had rained when they tried to do the courtyard with Vincent.
Jo cleared the dishes as Ali grabbed the bottle of wine and two wine glasses and went into the living room. Jo left the dishes in the sink and followed Ali. Ali was petting Maverick as he rested up against her on the couch. Jo watched it for a moment, relishing how good they looked together, but then jealous that Maverick was getting some quality time.
“Hey, scoot it,” Jo said, rushing him off the couch. She laughed when Ali dropped her mouth open. “Can’t allow him to cozy up to you. Where would I sit?”
Ali reached out and touched her arm, pulling her closer to her so there was no space between them. “Good point.” She stroked Jo’s chin and pulled her to her, kissing her as Jo rested against her, just as Maverick was moments ago.
Jo pulled back and grinned. “Much better than the kitchen table.”
“I’ll say,” Ali replied with a laugh. They both reached out and grabbed their wine glasses, then took a sip before Jo turned to Ali. “So, let me start at the beginning.” Jo didn’t interrupt, but just waited for the conversation to go as Ali wanted. “Last week, Julia confronted me and told me that I’m one of two candidates being considered for the promotion.”
“That’s great news, Ali. I’m so proud of you.” Jo reached out and touched Ali’s hand, but Ali looked more apprehensive in that moment. “It is great news, right?”
“Well, yeah, it’s really good news. It’s what I’ve been striving for, and I couldn’t be happier if I get it.”
