“It sounded nice when you said it, too.” She took a deep breath. “I realized something, too. I’m not ready to leave yet.”
“Then stay for a bit.” He managed to say that sounding cool and casual, even though inside he didn’t feel either of those things.
She made a face. “It’s tricky. Plus, my mother is going to insist on staying, too.”
“Trent will keep her busy.”
“Oh my God.” This time, her laugh wasn’t at him, but with him.
He drew her deeper into his arms and nuzzled his head against hers. “It’s nice to laugh together,” he murmured. “Seems like something friends would do.”
She nodded and exhaled, relaxing into him. “I don’t want to fight anymore.”
“We won’t. We’ll find a way through this together. As friends.”
* * *
As friends.Ugh, it was such a bittersweet place to land. And definitely complicated by the fact that Monica’s ass was definitely nestled right up against a very hard erection.
On a scale of one to ten, how terrible of an idea was it to be friends with benefits with your almost ex-husband?
At least a twelve.
She needed something else to focus on. “What should we do if we have a bit more time?”
He smiled with his whole body. “Another twenty-four hours?”
“At least. I spoke with my mom. Shelovesthe house they found her, and thinks we should stay for at least two nights. Although now I wonder how much of a factor Trent is there.”
“Don’t think about that.”
“Mmm.”
Josh chuckled. “Well, my brothers go to the farmer’s market with their wives. I’ve generally thought that’s fucking weird.” But he said it in a way that promised it would be nice, if they did it.
“Tomorrow’s Tuesday. Is it open during the week?”
“Every Tuesday and Saturday.”
“That sounds like we really should go.” She curled her fingers into the slightly-too-long hair at the nape of his neck. Every single strand of his hair caressed her skin, curling around her fingertips as if whispering,stay even longer.
She pressed her forehead against his temple. “I do have to go after that, though.”
“The wedding in Tuscany.”
“Yes.”
“In two weeks?” His fingers walked up her back and slid under the loose waves of her hair.
She shivered. “There’s…yes. But…”
“You have to go there soon.”
“Mmm.”
“So we’ll go to the farmer’s market tomorrow.” His voice was a thick, velvety whisper now.
“And we’re having a big family dinner tonight.”
