Midnight Kisses (Kissing Junction, TX 6)

“In that case, I am thirty-eight.” I take a drink from the glass Rita just set down in front of me.

“Oh, you are only eighteen years older than me.”

I choke on my soda.

“You are younger than my daughter.”

Her eyes go to my ring finger.

“Fuck are you married? Why does this always happen to me?”

“Absolutely not. I would never step out on my wife.”

“Is that what this is? Stepping out?” She says laughing.

“Well, now that is up to you. I would definitely like to get to know you better.”

“I’d like that too.”

“So, tell me what twenty-year old’s are up to these days?”

“Not much. I just finished a course in medical billing and coding and got my first job with Matt. It’s hard work, but more rewarding than I thought it would be. Except Friday’s. I really want nothing more than to go home and take this bra off. It’s irritating the fuck out of me.”

I don’t think she realizes the image she gives me as I have to adjust myself yet again. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from groaning out loud, but it’s no use. Her eyes fly to mine.

“Sorry, Josephine. You are really very beautiful.”

“Thank you. No one has ever said that to me before.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“It’s true.”

Rita delivers our food wordlessly. I am actually starving, so I get to work on my eggs, while she continues.

“I was placed in foster when I was four and I finally aged out two years ago. I was in twenty-six houses, but I never had a home.” Her eyes go wide, and she slaps her hand over her mouth. Her face goes red.

My heart breaks for this girl. I just want to protect her from all the evils of the world.

“You don’t need to tell me any more, Josephine.”

“I want to Tommy. You’re the first person I’ve ever had the desire to tell my whole sob story to.”

“You know, your life is what you make it. You don’t have to be defined by the choices of your parents.”

“That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“Josephine, I am going to change that.”

I don’t know what is happening to me. I want this girl more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I should probably leave now, I mean she’s younger than Kristy, but I can’t bring myself to care.

She smiles her megawatt smile at me. I am so fucked.

“So, tell me about your daughter.” She says, changing the subject.

“Well, she just got married. Kristy Sinclair, she’s 22 and about to make me a grandfather.”

“No way.” She says laughing.