“Tell me about it.”
Silence—one that was heavy with all the things they didn’t say. In the quiet, he longed for so much, for everything she claimed she couldn’t give.
“Josh…” She glanced away, then back.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Honestly.” And then the impossible happened.
She held out her hand.
He was across the hallway and wrapping his fingers around hers in one second flat. “Talk to me.”
She tipped her head toward the room behind her.“Josh…” And then she was backing up, pulling him along with her.
Once he was over the threshold, he reached behind him, guided the door shut and turned the privacy lock. She kept going, walking carefully backward.
“Your ankle…” he warned.
“It’s okay,” she replied as she reached the bed and sat down.
He turned around and sat beside her. “You look so serious,” he said. “Whatever’s wrong, it can’t be that bad.”
“It’s not bad, Josh. Honestly, it’s not bad at all. I listened to you tucking the boys in, and I thought about how amazing you are—always. But especially lately. I thought about how awful it would have been without you the past few weeks, thought about how much I miss the way it was not so long ago during our secret, never-ending fling. The truth is, you’re the best friend any girl could ever have…”
“For you, anything.” He squeezed her hand. “Anything, anytime. Whatever you need, I’m on it. I mean that.”
“I keep saying thank you. I know it’s not enough…”
He pulled her closer and wrapped an arm around her. What was he supposed to say here? Did she expect a cheerfulwhat are friends for?Oh hell no. This—what they had, what they’d become to each other over the years—it was more than friendship. It was everything. How could she not see that?
She laid her head on his shoulder. He couldn’t resist pressing his lips into her soft hair and breathing in her sweet scent.
“I shouldn’t have lured you in here,” she said.
“Lured?” He couldn’t help chuckling. “I’ve beenlured?”
She gave him a nudge. “What? There’s a better word?”
He kissed her again, a quick press of his lips at her temple.“Nah. Lured will do. And now you’ve got me here, what’s next?”
She heaved a big sigh. “Well, I really should send you off to the rollaway.”
“Yeah,” he baldly lied. “You probably should…”
“But you’re just too wonderful.” She tipped her head back and met his eyes.
He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I try.”
Her eyes held his. “I don’t want to send you away.”
“Riley.”
“Hmm?”
“Not being sent away? That works for me.”
“Oh, Josh, I keep reminding myself that there are certain lines we need to be careful not to cross.”
