“Do you know how hard that is?Knowing another man will replace us as the most important man in your life?I swear it guts you like nothing else can.”Uncle Luke shakes his head.“Put him in his place, but also give him some grace.He’s never been in this position before and it’s hard.”
“Cord getting married and starting a family isn’t hard for him.He’s a boy.He’s supposed to do all of that.But your little girl… You just want to hold onto her forever.I'm sure your mom was a mess when Cord pulled away because that was her little boy.It’s just the way it is.Man, I'm going to bawl like a baby when Mia gets married, aren’t I?”He grimaces and I can’t help but laugh at him.
“You’re going to ugly cry,” I chuckle.
“One of those silent cries where no one’s quite sure if you’re laughing or crying,” Uncle Luke adds.
“Tears will be dripping from your nose and we’ll all be praying it’s tears and not snot.”
“You’ll be shaking so hard we won't be sure if you’re having a seizure.”
“You’ll curl up in the fetal position and start sucking your thumb.”
“People will just step over you and glare like there’s something wrong with you.It will embarrass Mia forever.”
“You’ll lose all respect.”
“I get it,” Uncle Parker growls, making Uncle Luke and me laugh even harder.“Don’t you have work to do?”
“I'm going.”I smirk as I rise from my chair.After saying goodbye, I head down the hallway in search of Bethany.I need to get a file from her before I can finish this report.
I round the corner and run straight into someone.I stumble back a step as a gasp breaks free from my lips.
“Sorry!I wasn’t paying attention,” I murmur as I stare up at the man I bumped into.A groan of frustration bubbles up in my throat before I can stop it.
Out of everyone in this office, I had to bump into Josh.I’d rather fall down a few flights of stairs and break a couple ribs than deal with him.I’ve done such a good job at avoiding him every chance I get.
“Cici,” he murmurs as a slow smile spreads across his face.He takes a step towards me and I take one back, trying to maintain our distance.It makes his smile spread even further.
“Hi, Josh,” I say through gritted teeth.My back hits the wall and I want to scream in frustration.
“I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”He plants a hand on the wall next to my head, basically caging me in.
“Josh,” I hiss, wanting to push him away, but also not wanting to touch him.“This is inappropriate for work.”
“Well, I’ve been trying to get you to meet me outside of work for weeks and you won't do it.”
“Because I have a boyfriend,” I growl, wishing I could sucker punch him.
“You’re just saying that.You don’t have a boyfriend.I'm sure if you did, it would be splashed all over the tabloids.You’re in there pretty often for someone who isn’t very famous.”He smirks as he steps even close.
“Get away from me, Josh!”
I'm about to shove him, when a hand gets placed on his shoulder.I glance up to see who’s stepping in and helping me, when I come face to face with Covey and I want to weep in relief.
“Are you ok?”His concerned eyes meet mine as tears gather.
I shake my head, unable to form any words.Covey removes Josh’s arm from the wall and gently pushes him aside, never taking his eyes off of me.He gathers me into his arms and cradles my head against his chest.
His touch is gentle, but firm.It’s soft, but protective.It’s everything I didn’t realize I needed in a man and I'm so happy to have him as my boyfriend.
Covey doesn’t say a word as he sweeps me into his arms and carries me away from Josh.He doesn’t even ask where my office is, he just seems to know.A few minutes later, we settle onto my couch and he holds me even closer.
“What can I do for you?”The concern and emotion swimming in his gaze has me feeling like the luckiest woman in the world.He doesn’t shy away from being there for me no matter what’s going on.
“You’re already doing it,” I murmur as I cuddle even closer to him.
“Does he… Is he always like that?”
