Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,21
contact flustered her a little—not that she was complaining. Being close to a big, strong man was really nice. He was warm and solid and he smelled good. She relaxed in his embrace and put her arms around his waist, wishing the act had been fueled by a little bit more than gratitude.
“Thank you,” he said, resting his chin on her head and proving her point. “I mean it. Thank you.”
Tingles began floating through her body. If he kept up the hugging, she would pretty much agree to anything.
“You’re welcome.”
He released her.
For a second she didn’t want to let go, but figured he had enough on his mind without dealing with her wayward advances. In his present state of distraction, he might not even notice if she came on to him, and she doubted her ego was up to that kind of rejection.
She stepped back. “Feel free to show up early. Anytime after four. And if you and Joylyn work things out and want a quiet dinner alone, just text me and let me know.”
His mouth twisted. “I don’t see that happening.”
She didn’t, either, but you never knew. “Think positive and know that if nothing changes, you have a steak to look forward to.” She smiled. “And pie.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Pie?”
“I’m in the mood to make one. I’m thinking berry.”
“Is there anything you can’t do?”
“I have flaws, but I like to keep them hidden.” Along with a couple of secrets from her past, she thought as she waved and headed for the front door.
* * *
JOYLYN SAT AT the desk in the bedroom, trying not to give in to the rising panic she felt in her chest. No matter how much she felt as if she’d been exiled, she wasn’t trapped and she wasn’t in prison. She could leave anytime she wanted.
Not that she had anywhere to go, she thought, wiping the tears from her cheeks and wondering if it was possible to cry so much that a person got dehydrated. No matter how she felt, no matter how alone or scared or rejected, she had to remember the baby and do her best to do right by her son.
She placed her hand on her belly, trying not to think about the fact that if she wasn’t pregnant, she wouldn’t be suffering like this now. She would be back in San Diego, going to college and working part-time. She would still be missing Chandler, counting the days until he was home, but everything else would be easier.
If only she hadn’t panicked, she thought regretfully. She could have stayed on base and continued living her life. Except once Chandler had left, she’d gotten scared. She’d felt so alone that moving back in with her mom had made the most sense. But that hadn’t worked out, what with her brothers and having no support system. Her mom was busy with her new family—she hadn’t had time for Joylyn. And then her mother had thrown her out.
Her phone buzzed. Joylyn picked it up and read the text from her friend Holly.
You get there okay?
At least someone remembered she was alive, she thought.
I’m here and it’s awful. I should never have left San Diego.
What did your dad say?
Nothing.
He’s not happy to see you?
Why would he be? He basically ignored me for years. He’s only letting me stay because he doesn’t have a choice.
Joylyn, give him a chance to explain. He’s your dad.
Probably good advice, Joylyn thought, not that she would take it. Holly didn’t have a father, so she looked at things differently. She was always telling Joylyn to give her dad the benefit of the doubt.
A subject change seemed in order. How are things in SD?
Good. Rex is being especially sweet. I wish he wasn’t going away.
Rex was Holly’s boyfriend. They were both Marines and had been dating about a year. Joylyn had met Holly two days after Chandler started working with her. He hadn’t wanted his new wife to worry about his female coworker and had brought her home to dinner. Joylyn and Holly had become friends in maybe twenty seconds.
It’s hard when they’re deployed, Joylyn typed.
You know that one, don’t you? I gotta go, but I’m thinking of you. Kisses to my favorite baby.
Joylyn smiled at that and sent back a baby and a heart emoji. As she put her cell on the desk, she noticed an old, black rotary dial phone. Despite everything, she smiled. Where on earth had her dad found one? They were practically extinct.