He probably can’t hear me, but I tell him anyway.
Johnny pivots his head and looks right at me. He puckers his lips, blowing me a soft kiss and going back to the conversation.
Despite the heavy dark cloud over him at losing his father, there’s a sort of lightness about him that hasn’t been there before. A weight that was lifted from his shoulders. The burden of doing everything on his own is now replaced by the ability to count on others.
When I met him, he was alone. Relying on himself and no one else. He had Bram, but he kept him further than an arm’s length. He didn’t tell Bram the many struggles he faced, just handled them all on his own.
Since knowing Johnny, I’ve done my best to take some of that burden from him. To help him even when it’s hard for him to let go. To show him thatsometimespeople can be trusted.
Johnny Jones is not a good man. He’s a damngreatone, and he deserves the same benevolence he puts out into the world. His soul is pure, and he is easily the most selfless person I’ve ever known. I am forever grateful that our paths crossed, and that I get to be his partner in this life.
He supports my hopes and dreams, empowers me to be a better woman. He is gentle and compassionate, intelligent and hilarious, not to mention, drop-dead fucking gorgeous. Most of all, he is the type of human I aspire to be. That everyone should want to be. He may be good at fooling people into thinking he’s a bad guy, but his heart is big and when he loves someone, he gives it his all. And he will stop at nothing to make sure they’re safe.
Even if he has to push them away. Even if he has to sacrifice himself for their wellbeing.
I let out a breath, allowing this new chapter to wash over me.
“So, what’s next?” Rosie asks me, her expression solemn.
I take a look at the man who holds my heart, and the unlikely friends and family surrounding him.
Johnny holds out his hand, inviting me over to him.
It was only a matter of time before I was drawn back to him.
I grab Rosie’s on the way, leading her out of her chair and over to sit with the guys.
Josey seems to gravitate toward her, cutting Miller off and sort of pushing him out of the way.
Miller rolls his eyes and moves to the other side.
Johnny meets my gaze. “We’re coming up with a plan.”
A memory of a scene incredibly similar flickers into my head: Johnny in the hospital, figuring out his move against Franklin. He may be dead, but his ghost still haunts us.
I repeat the words Bram had said that day, fully meaning them. “What can I do?”
Miller clears his throat. “Well, with the way things are, and everything kind of up in the air, I need to pull myself from the café full time. Which leaves it pretty much unattended.” He gives Johnny a glance before settling on me. “I heard you had some experience in such.”
“Waitressing maybe,” I laugh unenthusiastically.
He isn’t implying what I think he is, is he?
Johnny slides his hand over, resting it on top of mine. A silent but powerful gesture.
“It would be great if you could take over. You’ll be trained on the operations, but you have some pretty solid references.” Miller looks at me with a hopeful stare. “It’s your choice, obviously, feel free to think it over.”
I mill it around in my mind, coming to the same conclusion every single time.
“Okay, I’m in.”
Miller’s brows raise, a hint of surprise in his voice. “You are?”
I squeeze Johnny’s hand. “Without a doubt.”
“Great.” Miller lets out a breath. “We can begin tomorrow, if that works for you.”
I’ll have to figure out how to factor in school, but now, without the pressing threat of hiding from Franklin, it should be simple finding a balance between everything. It’s not like I haven’t already done crazier things. The best part of all is that I get to do it with these people surrounding me.