Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

S omehow the gala was that night.

Time flew when there was more to do than there was time in which to do it.

But that the past two weeks had flown by so fast wasn't the biggest shock of Josie's day. The shock of her day was that Corey was back again. Right next door at his mom's house. Just yards away.

Thank goodness, her parents were back too. Their presence, in addition to Quinn and Bailey's, made sure the three-bedroom house was filled to capacity. That would insure that even in a weak moment of insanity Josie couldn't be tempted to rekindle her summer fling.

Even the RV helped. Good old Rusty provided a nice physical barrier parked in the drive, blocking her view of the Jacobs' garage and Corey's comings and goings.

Luckily, she'd be busy in these final hours before the gala. Out of the house, working on setting up the venue. She might actually be able to avoid him. That was the plan anyway.

She heard a honk and stepped outside to wave at Kirk, pulled along the curb in front of the house.

He waved back and cut the engine, waiting for her to walk over to the open driver's side window. "Hey, beautiful."

"Good morning," she said, ignoring the nickname. "These for the gala?" she asked, instead focusing on the potted plants wrapped in burlap that filled the trailer hitched behind his SUV.

"Yes, ma'am. One dozen medium-sized evergreen topiaries in decorative pots, and two large orange trees, as requested."

"This is going to look amazing for the table centerpieces and the entry. Thank you so much."

"My pleasure. Happy to help out. And I figure a little free advertising for my landscape business couldn't hurt." He grinned.

"It certainly can't. Which reminds me… I kind of designed a logo for you and put it in the program and on the website and Facebook page, since you said you didn't have one. I just didn't want you to be the only business without a graphic. I hope that's okay." Josie cringed.

Kirk laughed. "Somehow I'm not surprised. And of course it's okay. Thank you. I owe you one."

"No, you do not. Donating your time and loaning us the plantings… You've really helped me out. I hope you know how much I appreciate it."

"Appreciate it enough to have dinner after this gig is over?" Kirk asked.

She drew in a breath. She should say yes. Should go out with this sweet, hot, hard-working guy. So why did the idea leave her cold?

Josie opened her mouth to answer but Kirk held up one hand.

"Wait. Let me stop you before you try to let me down easy. That is what you're about to do, isn't it?"

Pressing her lips together, she nodded. "I'm sorry."

Kirk shook his head. "Don't be. I get it. There's obviously already something between you two. Going back a while if I had to guess."

She frowned then followed Kirk's gaze over her shoulder.

Corey stood in his mother's driveway, staring in their direction. When he saw them looking, he ducked back into the garage.

Josie drew in a breath and said, "Yeah." No use denying it.

"You could do worse. He seems to really be into you. I mean you could do better too. Me, for instance. But…" Kirk shrugged with a smile. "But seriously. I'm just happy to call you a friend."

"Me, too, Kirk. Me too."

"So let me get this over to the school. That broken down old place needs all the help it can get."

Josie cringed. "I know."

"Nope. Don't second guess your decision. Bringing attention to that old building in hopes someone will buy it and repurpose it was brilliant. It was smart to hold the gala there. A helluva lot of work, but smart."

"Thanks." She pounded a fist on his door. "Get going. I'll see you over there."

"Yes, ma'am." Then with a wave he was gone.

She turned back toward the house and stopped when she saw Corey walking toward her. She did not need to deal with this right now. There were a dozen things that demanded her attention and that was before she had to do her hair, put on makeup and get into her formal dress for tonight.

"Josie—"

"Corey, I can't right now."

"Well, you're going to have to because I can't wait any longer."

With a huff she said, "Fine. Go ahead. Say what you have to say. I'm busy."

She waited for his excuse. Maybe even his apology. Whatever it was, she hoped it was quick. Having so much to do she didn't have time to feel anything was really working for her.

The only problem was after tonight there'd be nothing to keep her numb. Then she was going to have to actually deal with her feelings about Corey?—

"I love you."

Her head whipped up at his words. "Excuse me?"

"I tried to say away from you, Josie and I can't. I love you. And maybe you are with Kirk, and maybe I should have told you weeks ago, but I need you to know now. I love you and I'm willing to fight for you. For us."

She didn't move, except for the shaking of her knees and her hands. Her lips parted but no sound came out.

Corey let out a short humorless laugh. "Are you speechless for the first time in your life? Now, of all times?"

"I think I am," she whispered.

He took a single step closer to tower above her. His voice was soft as he said, "This is the one time I really need you to say something."

"Why did you leave? Again. Without even a goodbye." It might not have been the words he wanted but it was all she could come up with in her shock.

His chin dropped to his chest before he raised his gaze again. "Because I couldn't stand watching you with another guy."

"But why? You said you didn't want to date me."

He shook his head. "That was ten years ago. I wasn't ready then , but Josie, I'm ready to more than date you now. I'm ready to put in for a change of station so I can be closer to you. Ready to get out of the Navy when my contract is up so I can go wherever you are. More than ready to commit fully to us."

As far as speeches went, it was a pretty good one. Good enough she felt inspired to relieve one of his worries and say, "I'm not dating Kirk."

His gaze softened and he took another step closer. "No? Why not?

"Because he's not the man I'm in love with. He's not you."

Corey closed his eyes and let out a breath. When he opened them again, his gaze found hers. "I was really hoping you'd say that."