Hating the Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend Builders)

19. JoJo

CHAPTER 19

JoJo

T urning Colton down this morning was hard. Spending this past week with him alone has been everything. It almost feels too perfect to be real. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Colton Callahan is the definition of a book boyfriend. I fall asleep thoroughly ravished and wake in his arms, ones that don't want to let me go, ones that make me feel cherished. Knowing I'm the first person he's rolled around in the sheets with in the mornings melts me. He doesn't want to get out of bed. It's hard to believe morning sex and staying in bed all day isn't his favorite pastime. He's even memorized my morning coffee order, freshly grinding my beans, pressing the grounds, and whipping my cream before pouring it over the top.

The first morning we woke up together, we didn't get out of bed until noon. We spent hours tangled in the sheets. He brought me breakfast, we got lost in each other some more, and fell back asleep before we literally couldn't afford to stay in bed a minute longer. Luckily, we have high school kids who come up to the farm to ring people out, wrap, and haul trees. The first two customers were already being rung out by the time we walked out of the house. But even late, I was able to break Archie's record by twenty trees and eleven wreaths. It's not a huge lead, but it's a lead nonetheless.

I'm sure I would have sold more were it not for Colton distracting me. He's everywhere I turn, like now. He and Jacob went over to the bar to refill our drinks, and his eyes are on me, but I only know that because mine are on him too.

"That man has it bad," Avery comments from our bar table by the dart boards.

"You think?" I joke before finishing the last of my beer. "I'm pretty sure I have it just as bad, but enough about me. How are things between you and Jacob?"

At Friendsgiving, she pulled me aside to ask if I was interested in him because we seemed close. I immediately felt guilty about how things must have looked from the outside looking in for Colton. I knew Jacob was clinging to my side. I just hadn't realized how that looked until Avery mentioned it. It was on the tip of my tongue to out Jacob and how we connected. His intent is so genuine and utterly adorable, and I wanted her to know exactly how far he'd gone to make a good impression, but I couldn't. So I lied. It's something I've been doing way more than I'd like to lately. I told her he was helping me with material for my next book. It's not a complete lie. The entire concept of the BBB has given me a lot of ideas. I'll have endless stories working with couples falling in love. Avery just doesn't know the story I plan to write is hers.

"I really like him. Like, really, really like him. It took every ounce of self-control I had not to squeal in excitement when he invited me to Friendsgiving. I'd been playing it cool, subtly throwing out hints for weeks, and I was beginning to think he wasn't interested. Now I know he was nervous."

"He told you that?"

"Yeah, we talk for hours every night. It's one of the best parts of my day: falling asleep talking to him on the phone. I just wish he'd invite me over to his place. I still live at home, but he has his own place. Talking on the phone, texting, and seeing him at work is great, but I'd like to hang out with him alone."

I spin my empty bottle. I know precisely what his hesitation is. She is the preacher's daughter, and he doesn't want to be that guy. The one who looks like he is defiling her.

"You should try talking to him about it. When you find someone you care about, articulating your wants isn't always easy. You don't want to mess things up, but everything is still so new you're unsure how to navigate certain topics." I should know. It's how I felt with Colton prior to finding our groove this week.

"Yeah, I get it. My dad's a preacher. That title has been a cock block my entire life."

I can't help but laugh. "What's so funny?" Colton's arm circles my waist as he returns with another beer.

"My virtue," Avery states matter-of-factly as Jacob spits his beer.

"What?" he questions.

"JoJo says you don't want to invite me over because the entire town will assume you're defiling the preacher's daughter."

Now I'm the one choking on my beer. "That's not what I said."

"It was implied, and I'm not offended. I'm glad it came up because here's the thing. I want a real man and a real man isn't worried about perception. He's more concerned with what is."

Jacob's eyes flick between me and Colton before they focus on hers. "What is this about? What have I done to make you believe the latter isn't true?"

"I want to go to your place."

He clears his throat. "You want me to take you back to my place?"

"Yes, but not for what you're thinking. I just want to be alone with you. I want to hold your hand while we talk. I want to see your things and be in the place you call home. I want to see the walls you stare at when you fall asleep talking on the phone to me. I want Jacob Kringle, the one the world doesn't get to see."

Jacob's eyes flash to mine and I give him a subtle nod of approval before he says, "Fine, I just need you to answer one question."

Her eyes narrow on his. "What's that?"

"How all in are you? Do you want me to toss you over my shoulder and smack that ass for doubting me, or am I going to lace your fingers through mine and walk you out like a lady?"

Colton's mouth brushes against my ear. "You told him to say that?"

"Something like that,” I murmur discreetly as I attempt to keep my expression impassive.

She bites her lip. "If you throw me over your shoulder, you're stuck with me. Everyone knows you can't break up with a preacher's daughter."

"Shoulder it is," he says right as a huge smile takes over her face, and she squeals with excitement as he carries her out of the bar. Epic book boyfriend move.

"How could you have known she'd like that?" Colton says, shifting to my side, curiosity marring his perfect face.

"Easy. Avery reads romance books. She loves, love."

He tips his beer toward me. "Do you read those kinds of books?"

I bite my cheek to hold back the words that threaten to slip out. I want to say, "I don't just read them. I write them." But I don't. Not yet, anyway. "I did my research when he asked for my help." I take a pull off my beer. "I'm getting tired and I want to clean up the kitchen before Archie gets home tomorrow." The remodel is basically complete. All that's left is drawer pulls, paint, and lighting fixtures. We can do those things ourselves, and I wanted to surprise him by getting them done.

"You want me to carry you out of here the same way?" he teases.

"No, I have to pee. That would definitely cause a scene. I'll be right back, then we can leave."

"Whatever you say, Posey. Where you go, I go." His eyes sparkle as they hold mine, and shoot arrows straight into my heart. I'm sure he knows exactly what he's doing, and I hate him for it. Colton Callahan is ruining me for any other man.

I've just finished washing my hands when a text from Ava comes across the group chat.

Ava: How did the second date go?

Gemma: I hear preacher's daughters are into fifth base.

Libby: No, you're into fifth base.

Gemma: Hmm. Maybe, but it doesn't make the preacher's daughter thing any less true.

JoJo: He just threw her over his shoulder and left the bar, so I'd say it was a home run. Talk later. I'm leaving to go explore all the bases myself.

I shove my phone back into my pocket and head out, only to find Colton leaning against the wall, waiting. "Did you think I would flee out the back door before returning to the table?"

"No, there's nowhere you could go that I wouldn't find you," I smile at his antics as his morphs to match mine. "What’s with that face? Was that not a good line? I googled popular one-liners from books while you were in the bathroom."

"You did not." I swat his chest.

"I did. I thought it was pretty good."

I lace my fingers through his and say, "Come on, Casanova. Take me home."

He doesn't budge; instead, he pulls me back to him. "I got one more move."

"Yeah, what's that?"

He nods toward the ceiling, and I trace the direction of his eyes.

"Mistletoe," I smile goofily, knowing what's coming next.

"It's not Christmas without partaking in outdated traditions."

"People might see," I remind him. Sure, he's thrown his arm around me tonight and fetched my drinks, but a kiss will leave no question that we are dating, and we still haven't told Archie.

"That's kind of the point. You're mine, Josephine Estes."

"Then you better make it good."

"Always," he whispers against my mouth before his lips cover mine.