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Clutching the phone tighter, all Evelyn’s doubts, all her assumptions about last night, suddenly faded into the background. Jo hadn’t called her, not because she didn’t care, but because her entire world had been shaken. “Jo…” Evelyn said softly, still processing an idea.

“So, yeah,” Jo said. “I’m sorry, but that’s why I didn’t call or text.” Even though she knew she still had a lot of work to do at the office, Evelyn decided it could wait a little longer.

She smiled. “Jo,” she said. “I’m coming over.”

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Jo blinked. “What?”

“I’ll be there in thirty minutes,” Evelyn said, her voice leaving no room for argument. “I’ll make you breakfast. And help however I can.”

Closing her eyes for a moment, Jo realized how much she needed to hear that right now. For the past eight hours, she had been running on fumes, trying to push through the exhaustion, the frustration, the violation of someone breaking into her shop. But suddenly, for the first time since it happened, she felt likeshe wasn’t handling it alone. “You don’t have to do that,” she said softly.

“I know,” Evelyn said. “But I want to.”

“Thank you,” Jo murmured. “See you soon.” She hung up, staring at the phone for a beat. Then, finally, she let herself relax a little. Evelyn was coming. Before she even realized what she was doing, Jo pulled out flour, sugar, and eggs. There was time to wait until Evelyn arrived, so she stuck to her go-to baking. She needed it to calm herself down and help her feel like she had control over something. By the time she was scooping dough onto the baking sheet, the tension in her shoulders had eased a little. Her phone buzzed on the counter.

She wiped her hands on a towel before picking it up to see a text from Mica. “Am I fired?”

Jo snorted. “No, dumbass,” she wrote.

A text came back. “Good. That would have sucked. Sorry for being an insensitive jerk last night.”

Leaning against the counter, Jo sighed and messaged back. “I forgive you.”

“Whew,” Mica sent. “How’s everything with the garage?”

The anxiety Jo had shrugged off slowly came back. “A mess,” she said. “I’ll see you Monday.”

“Yep. Hang in there.”

Jo set the phone down and checked the clock.Evelyn should be here any minute,she thought, a warmth filling her and easing her nerves a little. Then the doorbell rang as if Jo had conjured her out of thin air. She didn’t hesitate, going to the door and pulling it open. Evelyn stood there, her expression even more comforting than Jo had expected.

“Hi,” Evelyn said, and then, without saying a word, without hesitation, Jo stepped forward and pulled Evelyn into her arms. Evelyn let out a small sound of surprise, but then she meltedagainst her, holding her just as tightly. For the first time since last night, Jo felt like she could finally breathe.

Evelyn stretched her legs out on Jo’s couch, feeling the warmth of a delicious breakfast settle into her body. Jo sat beside her, one arm draped lazily over the back of the cushions, her eyes heavy-lidded, her body clearly running on fumes after the long, stressful night. Evelyn nudged her gently. “You need to sleep.”

Letting out a soft chuckle, Jo rubbed her eyes. “Yeah, well,” she said. “Hard to sleep when your whole world gets trashed in the middle of the night.”

Feeling her heart tighten, Evelyn reached over, slipped her fingers through Jo’s, and squeezed lightly. “Come on,” she said, standing and giving Jo’s hand a gentle tug. “Bed. Now.”

Raising an eyebrow, Jo smiled despite her obvious exhaustion. “Bossy,” she said, and Evelyn rolled her eyes.

“You love it,” she said. “Now, come on.” Jo laughed but didn’t argue. Instead, she let Evelyn pull her toward the bedroom, their hands still linked as they walked down the short hallway. Inside, the room was simple but comfortable. There was a large bed, dark sheets, and a dresser with a few scattered belongings on top.

Jo paused inside the door, suddenly looking shy in a way Evelyn hadn’t seen before. “You don’t have to stay,” Jo said, glancing at her. “I know you have work to do.”

Knowing Jo was right, but also knowing what needed to happen next, Evelyn took a deep breath to summon her nerve.I can do this,she thought.I want this.Reaching for the hem of her shirt, Evelyn stepped closer. “I’m staying,” she said, and she watched Jo swallow hard as Evelyn pulled off her top, leaving herself in only a soft cotton tank. Jo’s gaze darkened slightly, butshe didn’t move. Evelyn tilted her head. “You planning to sleep in jeans?”

“Point taken,” Jo murmured, and she peeled off her shirt, then her jeans, leaving her in only boxer briefs. Evelyn had seen Jo in plenty of outfits before—grease-streaked work clothes, her signature leather jacket, even the slightly more polished look she had worn to Evelyn’s apartment for dinner. But this was different. Even though she was muscular, Jo looked softer, her usual confidence replaced with something quieter.But no less sexy,she thought. Evelyn swallowed hard.I’m only going to focus on sleep.That is the plan. Sleep. She pulled off her leggings and climbed into bed. Jo hesitated for only a second before following, settling beside her.

The moment Jo’s body pressed against hers, warmth flooded through Evelyn’s body. It was supposed to be comforting, but all it did was remind her how much she wanted Jo. Evelyn exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling, trying to steady her breathing. Jo shifted beside her, turning onto her side, propping herself up on one elbow. “You okay?” she asked, and Evelyn turned her head, meeting Jo’s gaze in the dim light.

“Yeah,” she whispered, and before Jo could say another word, Evelyn reached for her, pulling her into a kiss that started slow, soft, but quickly became something more. Her heart pounded as Jo’s lips moved against hers, and their bodies pressed tightly together. She felt the heat of Jo’s skin through her thin tank top, the firmness of her muscles, the softness of her curves. Every touch, every movement, sent shivers down her spine, igniting a fire deep within her.

Slowly, Jo’s hands slid down Evelyn’s side, her fingers tracing the hem of her tank top before slipping underneath. Evelyn gasped as Jo’s warm hands found her bare skin, her touch gentle yet confident. She arched into the touch, her body craving more. Jo broke the kiss, her lips trailing down Evelyn’sneck, her teeth grazing lightly against her skin. Evelyn’s breath hitched, and her fingers tangled in Jo’s hair as she held her close. Jo’s mouth moved lower, her tongue brushing Evelyn’s skin, drawing out a soft moan.

“You’re sure you want this?” Jo whispered, and Evelyn nodded.

“Yes,” she said, her voice barely more than a gasp. “I want... I want you to touch me.”