Q.T.—Jase’s way of honoring Mo’s dog name wish in a way that wouldn’t make him cringe every time he made a vet appointment—and Cedar were snuggled in their kennel, happily exhausted from a long play session. But even knowing they’d sleep the whole time he was away, Jase was having second thoughts about going out. He wished he could bring them with him. They’d give him something to focus on if he was feeling out of place, and they’d be such an easy, effortless topic of conversation if he couldn’t think of anything to say. He should’ve at least asked Jo. She was so soft-hearted about animals—and about most things, actually—she probably would’ve said yes, but it was that very fact, that she’d likely oblige him even if she wasn’t a hundred percent on board, that kept him from making the request. Bringing two rambunctious, not-completely-house-broken puppies to a surprise family birthday party? He may not, as Colton constantly jibed, get out enough, but even he knew it wasn’t the best plan.
He checked himself in the bathroom mirror, one more time. The shirt he’d bought in town after Jo invited him, a navy button-down in a soft faded fabric that kept it from seeming too weirdly fancy, looked all right—he thought—with the gray Dockers cargo shorts he’d also purchased. He’d noticed Callum and Brian wearing similar, so figured he’d fit in.
As nervous as he was, he was excited too. He’d eaten in the dining hall countless times, and there wouldn’t be anyone at the family party that he hadn’t met, at least in passing, before—but this felt different. Monumental somehow. To be included at a meal in Jo and Callum’s house, without any other employees or B & B guests around made him feel hopeful, like maybe because Aisha accepted him, wanted him, her amazing family might expand to include him too.
On his way out the cabin door, he grabbed the bouquet of ferns and wildflowers he’d picked for Jo—assured by Aisha that Jo would appreciate blooms he’d picked himself as much as any purchased floral arrangement—and scooped up the bag containing the present he’d gotten for Callum: a collection of three different spice rubs, made from locally grown, dried and blended herbs. He knew how much Callum loved anything cooking and food related, so hopefully the gift would be received okay.
Aisha’s sunny smile flashed in his mind and the words she’d spoken to calm his nerves replayed in his head. “It’s not a big deal, I promise. You’re my . . . Well, we’re together, so you belong. Period.”
He’d smiled back, like, hey, she was right, what could he say? But really, he’d wanted to correct her. Her casual “we’re together” and “you belong”? Both were big deals to him. The biggest. And he would do his best to be interesting, to be polite, to make her proud of him.
Still, remembering the twinkle in her eye made him feel calmer and filled him with anticipation that outweighed his anxiety. No matter what happened, it would be a great night because she would be there.
As he strode to the door, Colton lifted from the couch and stretched like a cat. “You’re finally ready, Cinderella?”
Ah, Colton. The gift that kept giving. But even the fact that Jo had invited Colton too—and that Colton, for once, didn’t have plans off-site the minute the workday was done and had accepted the invitation—didn’t dim Jase’s enthusiasm.
He shut the cabin door firmly and managed, barely, to walk to Jo and Callum’s, not run.