My heart was his, and I could feel just how much of his was mine.
Chapter 12
Joshua
“Do you need any help in the kitchen?” I asked, putting the last of the plates near the sink.
Tessy’s mom, Judy, shook her head. “No, Joshua, I’m good. It’s my time to unwind from the stress of Christmas. Why not go in there with the rest of the family.”
I glanced into the living room where everyone was drinking and laughing and then turned back to Judy.
“They’re a bit loud.”
She laughed before nodding her head to a dish towel. “Start drying. That’s why I came here. No one else tends to bother me in here.”
“This is where I finding you hiding.” I look over my shoulder at Tessy as I pick up a glass to dry it.
“Guilty. I was just telling your mom it’s a bit loud.”
She wrapped her arms around my waist, and I rubbed her hand before going back to my duty.
“You make her happy, Joshua,” Judy told me, glancing between the two of us.
“She makes me happy, ma’am.”
“You know, I remember the day that Tessy called me and said she got the job working for you. I have to be honest, I was worried. I know actors are busy people and can be really rude to their staff. I didn’t want you to dim the light that she has.
“But even all these years, you never have. You treat her with enough respect. And I appreciate that. I just don’t want you to toss her to the side when something better comes along.”
“Oh, no worries there, Judy. There is no one better in my eyes than Tessy, in every way.” I looked behind me at her, seeing her big grin.
And that was the truth.
She might not be the starlight of Hollywood, but that didn’t bother me.
Her smile outshined everyone else’s.
Her beauty couldn’t be matched.
And her personality always made me enjoy our times together.
So, to me and for me, no one would ever top her.
“Smooth answer, Joshua. Look, as long as she’s hanging over you, you aren’t going to get any work done. So, why not head outside or something and leave me to my peace.”
“Yes, Mom,” Tessy said, taking my hand and leading me down the hallway to the small library room they had. The house wasn’t big, but now that her kids were out of it, Judy had changed up some of the rooms.
“This is peaceful, right?” Tessy asked, sitting on my lap before the fire.
“It is.”
We watched the roaring flames for a few minutes, arms locked around each other, and both of us content.
“What I told your mom, Tessy, it wasn’t a lie, you know.”
“Which part?” she teased, and I couldn’t help but smile.
It was moments like this that I would forever love. The fact that we could be serious, or joke, or be playful, and it all felt so right.
