“That sounds great,” I replied.“Throw in some ice cream and its perfect.”
“You got it.”She grinned.
And later that night, nestled between my aunt and cousin after copious junk food and sweet baby cuddles, we settled in to watch a rom-com and all laughed at the same scenes, and I realized something.
I may not have been able to pick my parents, but I couldn’t have asked for better family.Now I was determined to hang on to that with both hands as I moved forward in this new life of mine.
One step at a time.
Chapter 6
My phone pinged as I worked in the studio that morning, where I’d spent hours since meeting Lucy.After months of writer’s block, the lyrics and melodies were pouring out of me, full of lightning strikes and caramel eyes.
I never put out anything I wasn’t entirely proud of.But I knew even after a few days, that this was some of my best work.
Lucy:No furniture.Though last night I did acquire a good amount of drool.10/10 recommend
The response from Lucy, along with a picture of her gorgeous grin as Jojo gummed at her cheek, had my heart lurching with both warmth and relief.When she’d been slow to reply, I’d worried she was trying to ghost me.
I was forcing myself to go slow with her, knowing she had a past she was contending with that might affect her trust in me.It was the hardest thing I’d ever done when every instinct wanted to hold on and never let go.
Hudson:I’m sure you’re delicious.Taking the boat out today.Any chance I can convince you to be my first mate?
I watched as the text bubbles appeared and disappeared as she no doubt wrestled with how to reply.
Lucy:Okay
Okay?For a second, I simply stared at her response.Despite being what I’d hoped for, I almost couldn’t believe it.
Hudson:You good with dogs?
Lucy:Love them
“You’re good to go, bud.”I grinned down at Ranger, who looked up at me with a cocked head as though he understood exactly what I’d said.Hell, half the time I was sure he did.
Hudson:Pick you up in an hour
I wasn’t going to give her time to change her mind.
Almost exactly an hour later, I was pulling up to the curb in front of Lucy’s house with the boat hitched to the truck.
I didn’t get out on the water often enough.Honestly, I hadn’t even planned to today until Lucy texted.But it had seemed like the perfect way to spend time with her.
She opened her front door and locked it behind her before I even got out, looking gorgeous in jean cutoffs and a white tank, her hair piled high on her head.
I rushed to the other side of the truck, determined to at least open the door for her.
“Hi.”I grinned, catching a whiff of peaches as I helped her into the passenger seat.
“Hi.”Smiling, she climbed into the passenger seat and immediately twisted around to greet Ranger.“Oh my god, he’s so cute,” she crooned, scratching his ears as he licked at her hands, clearly enamored.
The feeling was entirely mutual.
“That’s Ranger,” I introduced.“He’s a good dog.”I put the truck in gear and pulled away from the curb.
“Some sort of lab mix?”she guessed.
I nodded.“That’s what they thought at the shelter.I got him when he was a puppy, about three years ago, in Austin.I was feeling particularly lonely on tour and happened on his face on a high-kill shelter list.Just couldn’t resist.”I shrugged.“Never regretted it.”