The Hookup (Moonlight and Motor Oil #1)(43)

“That’s not Johnny, he isn’t like that,” I told her somewhat heatedly, the heat coming from defending Johnny.

“Precisely,” she retorted, reading the heat.

Sometimes I really hated when Deanna got things straight.

“My advice doesn’t change,” she announced. “Be careful. Look after you. But it also has changed because I know you, Izzy. I know how beautiful you are right down to your bones. I know that runs so deep, it spills out everywhere. I don’t know Johnny Gamble to throw him but I know enough to know the man isn’t stupid. He caught that. He caught your sweetness and he definitely caught your honesty, and he caught you being gentle about understanding where he was at and not ending it ugly but ending it compassionately, trying to salvage some part of what both of you felt brewing between you. Again, I don’t know Johnny and I also don’t know what happened to him and Shandra. But just like anyone else in Matlock, I paid attention because it was just something you pay attention to.”

She paid attention because she was nosy.

I didn’t interrupt her to share that. I also didn’t have a chance because she again wasn’t finished.

“And what I’ve seen of that man, what you’ve said, he’s a gentleman. He wouldn’t play you. He might have dinner with you and the family he’s got left in an effort to start this friendship you think you two are building. But he’d never, never, Iz, mix his signals like he did last night with you. He might be twisted up still, but he’s not playing games. His heart is telling him something and it seems to me he’s listening.”

“I can’t do this,” I whispered.

“Then don’t,” she replied. “If Johnny gets his head sorted and decides he’s gonna make that play, all I’m saying is, let him do it.”

I decided not to respond.

But my heart was still beating fast, warming up my entire body.

“I love you, doll, but I need to quit thinking about this and get back to work,” I said.

She nodded. “I hear you. But did you hear me?”

I nodded.

She gave me a gentle smile and stood, but she leaned into a hand on my desk and did it holding my eyes with her warm brown ones.

“Just to finish up, I was wrong about something else. You got your hands on a stray, baby girl. Lost and alone, maybe cast aside, definitely done wrong. And you’re Izzy Forrester. No one better at taking the stray out of the stray and giving them home. And also, Scarlett wanted Ashley. He went for Melanie. And Melanie was the finest being in that book. Even Rhett adored Melanie. Scarlett gets all the attention because the woman is the diva to end all divas. But there ain’t nothing wrong with being Melanie. Far from it. She was just as strong as Scarlett but a whole lot quieter about it, which is strength in itself. Johnny isn’t Ashley but I’m thinking he isn’t Rhett either. I’m thinking that Johnny Gamble is realizing that and because of it he’s realizing Scarlett wasn’t the one for him. He’s thinking he’s all about Melanie.”

“You need to stop it,” I told her quietly.

“So I will.” She grinned, pushing away from my desk. “Just to say, I’m also thinking this is going to be fun.” She kept grinning as she shook her head. “Don’t worry, I still got my eyes on you and I’m always here. This is still going to be fun.”

“Not from where I’m sitting,” I muttered.

“Then, Izzy, start paying attention.”

With that, she sashayed out of my office.

I watched until she disappeared.

Then, stupidly, I dropped my eyes to my phone and lifted my hand to it.

Leaving it sitting on my desk, I engaged it.

And I went to Johnny’s text screen.

I scrolled up and started reading.

You too. Johnny from weeks ago.

You home okay? Johnny from last night.

Yes, Johnny, thanks. And thanks for dinner. Me, because Johnny and Dave got in a minor fight but definitely the word “fight” was apropos about who would pay. Although I went so far as to get my wallet out, they didn’t even acknowledge I’d done that, ignoring me so completely I had no choice but to put it back in my purse without having a chance to utter a word.

This fight had unsurprisingly been sorted when Margot waded in, stating, “Split it, boys. That way, David, you’re taking care of me and Johnny’s got Izzy.”

Johnny’s got Izzy.

They agreed immediately.

God, I hated it when Deanna got things straight.

No problem, babe. Going to the festival? Johnny texted.

Yes. My first big thing as a resident of Matlock, I replied. Then, drunk on an evening spent with Johnny and two people he cared about who cared about him, at the same time disconcerted about it and not thinking straight thus being an idiot, I added, Though I’ve been before with Deanna and Charlie.

It’s a blast but go early and get out early. Out of towners come in the afternoon and traffic is a bitch.

Thanks for the advice. Are you home?

Yup.

How? You had farther to drive than me.

I followed you, Iz. You need to take driving lessons from Margot. Dave calls her AJ Foyt. You drive like you’re behind the wheel of a Buick and just celebrated your ninth decade on this earth.

I laughed at his joke, wandering my house, letting the dogs out, checking the cats, covering the birds, getting ready for bed, through it all phone held in hand like a lifeline, texting Johnny Gamble.