We both collapsed on the bed and I burst out into giggles.
“Waking up like this from every nap is totally worth staying up all night.” I kissed his lips as he drew me into his side.
“Little guy is still out.” He glanced across the room at the monitor. “I kept staring at him today. I still can’t believe he’s ours.” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
“I’ve been staring at him like that for a month. It’s not that he doesn’t feel like ours, because he totally does, but it’s . . .” I trailed off.
“Too good to be true. I feel the same way when I look at you sometimes.” His hand drifted through my hair.
“Please, after all these years?” I pursed my lips as I laid my head on his chest.
“Especially after all these years.” His mouth curved as he crinkled his nose. “You could use a shower, though.”
I swatted his chest as it rumbled with a laugh. “Didn’t seem to bother you just now. But you’re right, I’m going.” I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed.
“Let me grab the monitor and I’ll come with you.”
“Josh!” My head whipped around. “Victoria is still awake.”
He shrugged. “And she’s been on her phone for hours without looking up. Does she seem sneaky to you lately?”
I held in a laugh as I shook my head. “Nope.”
“Hey.” He grabbed my arm. “What do you know?”
“Nothing.” I held my hands up.
“Such a bad liar,” he sighed and shook his head.
“Do you want to argue or get in the shower?” I crossed my arms and tapped my foot, unsure of how indignant I looked with my leggings around my ankles.
Josh clicked his tongue. “Fine, you win this round, but—”
Christopher’s piercing wail blasted from the monitor. Josh’s shoulders slumped as he glanced at his watch.
“A half hour. Okay, noted for next time.” He pecked my lips and ran out of the room.
I stepped into my shower, finally washing my hair after three long days. My eyes still felt heavy, but my heart was full and happy.
When I dried off, I raced back onto the bed, hoping to catch a couple more hours of sleep. Before I drifted off, my eyes landed on the wooden box in the corner of my bedroom where I kept all almost ten years’-worth of Josh’s letters, plus the ones he gave me on special occasions. Cheesy? Maybe. I could never throw a single one out, even when I wanted to hurl them at him in frustration. We fought hard for this life, but it was meant to be from the beginning, and I wouldn’t change a single line of our story.
I don’t have any friends.
I could be your friend.
Sure . . . Cupcake.
The End
Turn the page for a preview ofAfter You
Dear Ellie,
No, it's not Valentine's Day yet. And yes, I always told you it was a crock of shit instigated by Hallmark to sell more cards. But this year, I'm not taking anything for granted—not even a made-up holiday. Because let's face it, these days the last thing I say, very well could be . . . the last thing I say.
I remember the first moment I saw you. Funny how it was a Valentine's Day dance. Evan thought it would be a good idea to go to St. Anne’s and try to meet new girls, even though he was panting after Paige day in and day out. So, we took the flyer from our cafeteria and showed up at your all-girls Catholic school dance like typical asshole teenagers. We leered at all the girls but never had the balls to talk to any of them. Then my eyes landed on the cutest little pixie—dressed head to toe in red, with red and white heart tights. Yes, I still remember the goddamn tights. For a bit of a thing, you had the longest and sexiest legs I'd ever seen—even if you did look like Punky Brewster.
My cousin was always the annoying, hopeless romantic. Paige would insist with that blank, blissful look in her eyes that love, at first sight, could totally happen. I nodded and rolled my eyes at her like usual, but that night, when my eyes locked with yours,I knew. It was the thunderbolt my grandpa always told me about. He said you'll never know when it will hit you, but when it does, you’re done for. I can't wait to tell him he was absolutely right.
