Amber giggles.
My face heats, and I grimace. “Sorry ... I didn’t realize ...”
She shrugs, yanking on Amber’s hand again and turning toward the hall. “At least one of us is getting some.” Just as they cross the threshold, Kimmie looks over her shoulder and adds, “You should put your hair down. He likes it. I can tell.”
“You think so?”
She flashes me a smile before disappearing with Amber down the stairs, and I’m too shocked to react before she’s gone. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her genuinely smile. We’ve also never lasted a full conversation without her gifting me at least one eye roll.
After turning my computer off, I grab my tote bag, pull the tie from my hair, and use my fingers to smooth out the strands as I wander down the steps. It’s been a good week.
“Thank you, ma’am.” Joshua’s low drawl makes its way to my ears, leading me with a flip-flopping tummy toward the kitchen. “I’ll have her back in a few hours.”
I see his back first, broad and blocking the view of Rebecca, aside from a partial glimpse of her brown bob. He’s dressed like usual in worn jeans and a plain dark T-shirt. His shoulders are tense, hands in his pockets.
I rub my lips together while I approach, trying to calm the flutters rolling through me. I don’t know how he always does this to me.
“Hey, guys.”
Rebecca pokes her head around him and smiles. “Hi, hun. We were just chatting about you. You have a good day?”
Joshua turns, locking eyes with me.
“Yeah, um, really good.”
He gives me a knowing half-smile that warms my cheeks.
“How about you?” I ask her, glancing between the two of them. As she tells us all about her rowdy kindergarteners, Joshua reaches for my hand.
I take it.
He squeezes.
My entire body melts into a gooey puddle. He’s just holding my hand, but his heavy, protective grip makes the small act feel like a secret. Or maybe a promise.
Rebecca glances at our clasped fingers, then mutters, “All right, all right.” She shoos us out of the kitchen and winks. “You two cuties get on out of here. Just remember to drive safe and have fun.”
“Yes, ma’am. You have a nice night.”
“I sure will. With the house to ourselves, Tim and I are having our own little impromptu date night as soon as he gets home.” She wiggles her eyebrows, and I can’t help but chuckle. My dad really does work too much. The thought of them getting a night alone together makes me happy.
“Have a good time,” I call as Joshua leads me away. “Hey,” I ask him quietly, “was everything okay today? With Principal Lori?”
He stiffens as he pulls open the front door, but his tone is casual. “It’s fine. She mainly wanted to know about an extra essay I’m working on. My one shot at a decent scholarship.”
He avoids my gaze, and my eyes narrow. There’s something he’s not telling me. I’m about to ask more about it, but the instant we make it down the porch steps, his lips graze my ear, a low rumble gliding over my skin. “Thought about you like crazy, hippie.”
“It’s only been a few hours.”
“A few hours too long, if you ask me.”
His eyes are aimed straight ahead, but I know he senses me watching him when his thumb brushes mine.
I glance at the sky, biting my smile. “Where are we going anyway?”
“Visiting Henry.” He cocks a brow. “That okay? I usually have dinner with him Wednesdays, but I figured maybe tonight it could be the three of us.” He looks away, opening the passenger door for me.
My stomach flutters—the kind of flutters that make you woozy at the top of a roller coaster, right before the big drop. It’s not like visiting Henry is a date, but in a way, it’s more. There’s deep intimacy in Joshua inviting me to be a part of something real in his life. A piece of himself he never shares. It’s a big step—so big that thinking about it too hard makes my nerves twist.
