But why did thinking that make his face scrunch up and his heart drop?
“Oh, about that,” she said in a very apologetic way. “I’m pretty darn sure it won’t last.”
“Didn’t think you should tell me about it?”
“Well, you see… What had happened was, you were so gung ho and, like, honest and stuff that I thought, why should I derail you? I really don’t think it will last between them. I don’t think she is into him. I think she is using him to get over you.”
He made a face as he pulled into the parking spot he always parked in. It was the front space, right in front of the window that said “Billy Ray’s Barbershop.” He had been coming here since he’d first come to Nashville. It was his spot and Billy Ray was known for classy beard care. It also had a very retro feel. There was even a barber’s pole, which Jordie thought was supercool.
Turning the truck off, he leaned back in his seat, looking at the roof of the car.
“Not helping, Lacey,” he moaned.
“Well, it’s true, and honestly, they aren’t made for each other.”
“I know this, you know this, but she wants it to work. I saw them together.”
“And? They aren’t cute together. At first I thought so, but the more I watch them together, it doesn’t feel right.”
“But it might feel right to her,” he said sadly, twisting his beard around his finger. “Maybe I should just let her go? She’s obviously let me go.”
It wasn’t as if he had even really done anything to let his feelings be known. For all she knew, he just wanted friendship. Or sex probably, since that’s how they started. Yeah, he had messed with her, said he was sorry. But that didn’t say I love you. It was just the way he was. He was always apologizing for something, and Lord knew he loved messing with her. But he hadn’t been honest with her and he was unsure when he could be. Should he do it now, knowing about Kelly? Or should he wait it out? One thing was for sure, he knew he couldn’t rush into this. He had to get her to believe in him again—in them—before he admitted to loving her.
Man, why was this so hard?
“No, don’t. She hasn’t let you go. I know she hasn’t.”
“Then what do I do?”
“Pursue her! Woo her!”
Jordie’s face twisted in confusion. “Okay, first, isn’t that wrong when she has a boyfriend?”
“Well, yeah, it’s kinda sleazy.”
“Which is something I’m trying not to be,” he reminded her and she made a little noise. “Been there, done that, trying something new.”
“True, but I’m serious, I give them a week at the most. Especially after Karl and Regina come to town. He’s coming to dinner, and you know Karl hates all guys but you and Karson. She cares so much about what he thinks. She’ll drop him and, boom! You swoop in.”
“Those drugs are working well on you,” he said dryly and she laughed.
“Yeah, I really do see life in a different light. It’s supercool.”
“Very true, almost like being sober, I guess,” he agreed.
“I bet,” she giggled and Jordie grinned.
“But okay, let’s say I wait, and I will ’cause she’s the girl you wait for. But then, please explain to me, what in the ever-loving fuck do you mean by ‘woo her’?”
“Seriously, Jordie?”
“No, really, I have no clue what that is.”
“Woo her! Buy flowers and chocolates with little hearts taped to them. Like court her?”
“Lacey, come on. We live in the twenty-first century,” he deadpanned. “Do people even woo anymore?”
“The men who want their women do! Karson is great at wooing.” She pointed out. “I love his wooing.”
“Because he’s a pansy-ass,” he mumbled, but before she could say anything, he laughed. “No, but really, what do I do?”
“I don’t know, like, be romantic and shit.”
“What’s the shit?” he asked, confused.