Free Three Little Words by Maggie Wells Page B

healthy to allow her escape.
    “A blessing.” Letting her head fall back against the headrest, Jo turned toward him. “Or so they say.”
    “Doesn’t make it hurt less.”
    “Listen, it hasn’t been a great week, and I’d like to go home and pull the covers over my head.”
    “Oh? What happened?”
    Sliding him a sidelong glance, she shrugged. “What didn’t? My foot went through the porch. Apparently, I’m harboring about a million termites. On Monday I get to send the exterminator an arm and a leg. I just need to decide which ones I can do without.”
    “That sucks.”
    Turns out, the simple acknowledgment was what she needed. Shifting in her seat, she turned to face him. “It does, doesn’t it?” His silent nod triggered an avalanche. “I was worried about it, but not anymore.”
    “No?”
    “Nope. I think I’m going to stick a pot in the hole and plant some geraniums.”
    “Geraniums,” he repeated.
    Setting her jaw, she turned to look out the window again. “Times are tough and flowers are cheap. The company I’m working for is downsizing.”
    “You?”
    She nodded.
    “That’s bullshit.”
    “I couldn’t agree more.” She stared into the gloom of the parking garage. “You want to know the real kicker?”
    He sucked in a gratifying breath. “What?”
    “I turned fifty last week.” She spilled the last tasty tidbit in a whisper. To her horror, tears filled her eyes. “Three for three, huh?”
    Swallowing hard, she tried to shake the stat off, but the irony of being bitten in the butt by her favorite number hurt too bad. She bit her lip to keep it from trembling when Will caught two fingers under her chin and turned her face toward his.
    “Now that part is total bullshit. You don’t look a day older than twenty-eight, Josie.”
    A choked sob broke from her. A torrent of scalding tears spilled over her lashes. Hiccupping softly, she went willingly when he pulled her into a tight hug.
    “Shh.” He ran a clumsy hand over her hair and patted her back. “I’m sorry, I meant twenty-five.” He sucked in a sharp breath when another wave of fresh emotion crashed over her. “Shh. Don’t cry, sweetheart. I mean it. I swear you don’t look a day over twenty-two.”
    The assertion earned him a watery chuckle, and some of the tension from his body. Jo settled into the warmth of the embrace. “You’re the one who’s a sweetheart.”
    “Let’s not go that far.” He released her. “The only reason I didn’t try to hit on you last night was I was sure you were under age.”
    She snorted. “I know your type. I’m way too old for you now.”
    One side of his mouth kicked up, knocking the smile off-center enough to make him look almost vulnerable. “Hell, I’m too old for me now, but you’re still a hot piece, and I’m as much of a lech as old Greg.”
    The casual mention of Greg’s name unleashed a fresh wash of mortification. Wiping her eyes with the heels of her hands, she took a shuddery breath. “Oh, God. Greg.”
    He cocked his head and pulled a sympathetic grimace. “I think most women say the same thing after the fact. Amazing what dim lighting can do for a guy.”
    The utter ridiculousness of his statement scored him shocked gasp from Josie. Will’s crooked smile widened, crowding the corners of his eyes and carving a set of nearly irresistible grooves on either side of his mouth.
    “You’re the worst friend ever,” she chided.
    “Me? I’m the best friend that jerk ever had.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “You should have stayed, Josie.”
    “What?”
    “Footwear fetish or not, he’s the real deal. You should have stayed.” He tipped her chin up with his knuckle and looked her straight in the eye. “You should stay.”
    “Too late,” she whispered.
    Will huffed. “Say the word and I can make it happen.”
    “Why would you want to?”
    “He’s my best friend.” He raised one shoulder in a shrug and his mouth ticked up on one side. “You’re my