He took my face in his hands and swiped my tears with his thumbs. “When boot camp got tough and I wanted to quit, I’d read it. It was like a talisman, I guess. You loved me and deserved the best from me, even if you weren’t mine. You took care of me all the time. I wanted you to see me again, on my own two feet—when I was the man you deserved.”
“There was never a single second I didn’t belong to you,” I blurted out, my chest heaving as the waterworks hit their crescendo. “All I ever wanted was you,” I said, in a defeated whisper.
“I know,” he whispered as his thumb brushed my bottom lip. “And you have me. You always did. I’m sorry about Scott. But I’ll never be sorry for fighting for you. It’s always been us, Cupcake. It’s exhausting to fight what’s meant to be. I’ve done it most of my life, and I’m ready to stop. How about you, Bri?”
The corners of my mouth twitched as I nodded.
Josh smiled, the beautiful beaming smile that lit up his entire face. I still saw it in my dreams.
“You never could stay mad at me, Cupcake.” He smirked as he tightened his hold around my waist.
“Just kiss me, you big jerk.”
He cupped my neck and crashed his lips into mine. I flung my arms around him as all of me finally gave in. Josh was right. We were running from the inevitable, and it felt amazing to finally stop.
“You always look sexy in Grinch shirts,” he murmured against my lips.
“This is it?” I clutched his biceps and pulled him closer. “We’re finally together?”
“You’re damn right, we are. So, my letter didn’t suck?” A smirk twisted his mouth.
I shook my head. “I loved your story. It was perfect.”
Josh laughed. “Ourstory. You can fix it. Rewrite it so it’s good.”
“I don’t need to rewrite anything. That’s our story.” I wiped another happy tear away with the back of my hand. “We just need a good ending.”
“That’s the great thing about our story.” Josh cradled my face in his hands. “It doesn’t have one.”
Brianna
I SQUINTED ATthe light assaulting me through my bedroom curtains. There was nothing but white outside my frosted window. I pushed myself up to get a better look and smiled at Josh’s sleepy groan.
“Don’t get up yet. I’m comfortable.” He kissed my shoulder and looped his arm around my waist.
“It’s nine o’clock already, sleepyhead. Merry Christmas.”
Josh rolled me toward him and covered his mouth with mine. “Merry Christmas to you, too, Cupcake. Waking up next to you beats the hell out of any present.” He pecked my lips and drew me into his chest.
“Even though we didn’t . . .” I played with the cotton hem of his T-shirt as I brought my eyes to his.
He chuckled and kissed me again. “Last night was a big night. Lots of stuff came out, you and Scott . . . That,” he whispered and gave me a shrug. “That will come in time. You’re finally mine, so whenever you’re ready, I’m good with that.”
He cupped the side of my face and ran his thumb along my jaw as he glanced over my shoulder.
“It’s snowing pretty hard out there.”
“Ugh, you aren’t going to start singing ‘Baby, it’s cold outside’ are you?” I yelped as he pulled me on top of him.
He tickled my side until I couldn’t breathe and held my hands up in defeat.
“How about I make us some breakfast and we watch Christmas movies all day?”
Josh’s mouth split with a wide grin as he nodded. “I thinkThe Godfatheris on later.”
“Perfect!” I giggled as he rolled us over and took my mouth in a passionate kiss. I whimpered into his mouth as his tongue slid across my bottom lip.
I tore my lips away from Josh at the sound of my doorbell, laughing at his frustrated growl.
