With a start, I realized that I missed her, too. It probably helped that she and Ceci were relentless texters and Jodi had quickly determined I was a sucker for baby farm animal videos. “Sure, let’s go by there.”
I gathered my things, and Samson appeared as I was locking up.
“You want to bring him with us?” Aaron asked as he scratched the dog’s ears. “I have Daisy on the rear bench already.”
Samson must have known we were talking about him, because he woofed and trotted in circles, a smile on his face.
I shook my head and fought a grin. “Might as well. He’ll be the saddest pup in the world if we don’t.”
“That’s true.” He whistled for Samson to follow him, opening the back door of his truck to let him in.
He swung around to open my door next, and I caught another whiff of him as I climbed into the front. My pulse rocketed up. The man had no right being this fine and smelling this nice. Never mind his manners and the wolfish look I’d seen on his face when he thought I wasn’t looking.
I settled myself into the seat as he walked around, then was hit with the vaguest of memories. I was in the hospital, fresh out of being turned into the wired terror of Alabama, and I said…something. What was it? The details were just out of my reach, but if I squinted…
Aaron climbed into the driver’s seat and shut the door, then started the engine. “We’re heading to the Talladega Forest. Have you ever hiked the Pinhoti Trail?”
“So, confession: I’ve never hiked anywhere in Alabama.”
He glanced at me. “Really?”
“Never did anything really outdoorsy until—” I cleared my throat—“until Jason died and I left.”
“Then it will be my greatest pleasure to show you the best trails in the state,” he said, not missing a beat.
“Thanks,” I said, my voice low. I allowed myself the luxury of studying his profile while he drove. He looked completely at ease, not at all thrown off by the ghost of Jason that I’d unceremoniously brought into the cab. I’d had flings with other men over the years, and every one of them had gotten spooked when they learned I was a widow.
But Aaron didn’t seem to mind.
I shook off the ideas that were trying to take hold. I wasn’t here to start anything. It didn’t matter that I’d been aware of him when Jason was alive. Maybe that’s why I needed to not let anything happen now. I needed to, I don’t know, take shallow breaths when Aaron was around. Stop breathing him in, physically and metaphorically.
The line at Daily Dose wasn’t short, but Jodi and another barista managed to clear it quickly.
“Hi, you two,” Jodi said. “Good to see you out and about, Dev.”
“Thanks. It’s all the baby goat videos you sent me. They were absolutely healing.”
“How could they not be?” she said and smiled, then took my travel mug. The mug with a straw, thank you very much, because that was how I was rolling these days. “Cold brew with one raw sugar?”
“Yes, please!”
“Aaron, your usual?”
He nodded.
“Coming right up.” Jodi turned and started making the coffees.
Aaron looked at me. “I’ve got us a picnic packed. You need anything else?”
A picnic? This man was also thoughtful enough to pack a picnic? “Exactly what did you pack for me? Because, you know”—I pointed at my mouth—“Metal Mouth here can only do so much.”
“Girl, please,” Jodi butted in. “Knowing him, he’s created his own special smoothie for you. You know he’s an incredible cook. You should let him—”
“Jodi.” Aaron cut her off, looking a little embarrassed. “Can I just pay, please?”
I snorted. At least I wasn’t the only one Jodi was making heart-eyes at.
Jodi huffed good-naturedly and handed over our coffees. In the truck, Aaron looked at me sheepishly from the front seat. “Sorry about that. She’s…well, you know how she is.”
I laughed. “I do. I’ve known her a long time, and I promise, she’s always been like that.”
Aaron pulled onto the street. “Yeah, we grew up together. Went to the same school, anyway.”
“That explains why I didn’t know you until….”
“Until we saw each other at the station?” he finished. “Yeah. You and Rick went to the fancy private school, right?”
I nodded, grateful he’d taken over. It was bad enough I’d alluded to Jason once already. “So did you and Jodi ever…?”
“Date? God, no. She’s younger than me, and we are not each other’s types. At all. Besides,” he started, then stopped. “Never mind.”
I perked up. “Oh, no. you can’t stop. Besides what?”
“I’ve never been the Joseph brother she’s had the hots for.”
“Wait—really?” I said. “You’ve got two brothers, right? Price and Will. Which one is it?”
He shook his head. “No way. I’ve said too much as it is.”
