Sara gave me an emotionless nod. Reid said she had no support system, so maybe we all found each other at the right time. I stood from the couch. “All right, then, Friday it is.” Our gazes met, and warmth spread over my chest.
I turned to leave when Victoria touched my arm.
“Wait, I have a smaller one.” She pulled out a Wonder Woman bobble head from her toy box in the corner. “For your friend.”
My smile pulled wide. “My friend will love this. Thank you, Victoria.”
Truth was, I didn’t know how my “friend” would take any of this. I only hoped she would stick by me like she always did—and this wasn’t the time I finally pushed her too far.
Josh
BRIANNA’S TRIP WASextended for a few days as they rewrote scripts on site for the commercial. Even though I missed the hell out of her, I was happy for a little more time to figure out what the hell to say to her when she returned. Our lives were going to change, and I didn’t want to tell her that over the phone. This needed to be in person, and the delay in seeing each other meant we could still have that simple, wonderful life together we were looking forward to the day she left for a little while longer. I prayed we’d still have that life, and this little blip in the plan wouldn’t derail it altogether.
I cringed when my phone buzzed with a FaceTime call. It was easier to pretend all was fine and the same without looking my girl in the eye.
“Hey, Cupcake!” I smiled as I settled on my couch. Brianna’s beautiful face filled the screen, her long black lashes hooding her hazel eyes and full red lips stretched into a grin. Even this close up she was fucking gorgeous. Her excited gaze caused me physical pain.
“Hey, Josh. God, I’m so ready to come home.” The camera view shook as she settled onto the bed in her hotel room. I’d talked to her in this position so many times. I memorized the grooves in the wood headboard behind her.
“I’m so ready tohaveyou home.” That wasn’t a lie. I wanted nothing more than to move in with her as we’d planned, but after she learned my new truth, I was afraid that plan was about to change.
Her smile beamed brighter as she leaned back on the bed. “I wish I was with you instead of going to this boring dinner. Want to see my dress?” She arched an eyebrow as she cocked her head to the side.
“Sure.” I forced another smile, but thanks to the shitty Wi-Fi in her room making our connection sputter, she didn’t notice.
Brianna set the phone on the nightstand and backed away. The dress was black lace and hugged every amazing curve of her body perfectly. She twirled around and giggled as I pressed my hand into my tightened chest. It brought back memories of our senior year. Brianna would rush over to me with the same breathtaking smile, wanting nothing more than to be with me. I’d give her a scowl or a brush off in return, willing her away from me because she was better off. Now she was mine, and I still felt like I had to push her away. It killed me to see the pure happiness on her face and know I had to crush it.
“Well?” She crossed her arms and tapped her foot.
“You’re beautiful. So beautiful, it hurts, Bri.” I cradled the phone in my hand and leaned closer to the screen. “Come home to me tomorrow, okay?”
She laughed. “Nowhere else I’d rather be. I’ll meet you at our apartment after you get out of work.”
I had a late client appointment I couldn’t reschedule, and I was ashamed at the relief I felt for a little more time before I had to face her.
We’d be okay. We had to be.
“I love you, Cupcake. I love you so much.” There was no mistaking the desperation in my voice. Brianna’s lips curved as her finger drifted down the screen.
“I love you, too. See you at home.”
“Josh!” Victoria squealed as she ran to greet me at the door. Judging by Sara’s pursed lips as she held it open, she wasn’t as happy to see me.
This was my fourth drop-in since we’d met. I’d already become versed in finding stupid excuses to stop by their apartment to see her. Maybe my guilty conscience was trying to atone for all those years she went without me. The smiles I was rewarded with made it well worth it. I saw so much of me in Victoria’s sweet face and—ironically enough—she reminded me of Brianna when we were kids. Victoria was sweet and shy when you first met her, but I was great at making her laugh. I was falling head over heels for this little girl in a very short time, and if Brianna could somehow move past where she came from, I knew she would, too.
“Hey, Victoria. Look what finally came!” I handed her the Wonder Woman helmet I’d promised on that first day I met her.
“This is so awesome!” Victoria’s eyes widened as she yanked the box from my hand and rushed over to her mother. “Isn’t this great, Mommy? Josh remembered, even though you said he probably wouldn’t.”
Sara’s almost apologetic gaze met mine. She hardly knew me. For that reason, I didn’t blame her for being cautious around me and encouraging Victoria to do the same. I still kind of blamed her for not finding me and telling me we had a daughter, but that was something I’d have to get past. Looking back, I really didn’t know what my reaction would have been as I was still getting my own life on track, but I’d like to think I would have done the right thing. Or, at least as much of the right thing as I was capable of at the time.
“Can you stay for a movie?” Victoria folded her hands under her chin. Maybe I was growing on her, too. When I would get up to leave, she always tried to stall. I wasn’t sure if it was me or loneliness that made her latch on so quickly. I had the feeling she didn’t see many friends outside of school.
I raised my eyebrows at Sara. She gave me as reluctant nod and shrug.
“I have things to do anyway and her homework is done. You can stay if you want.”
Before I could thank her, she turned around and strode toward the hallway.
