I stood back as he moved farther away from me.
“Why aren’t you yelling at me?”
“Would that make you feel better?If I yelled at you?”
“No, but I… I expect it.”
“Honestly, my first instinct was to be angry.To yell.To walk away.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“The tone of your voice.”
“What?”
“When you said it wasn’t what it looked like, your tone told me you’d said those words before.Many times.And were never believed.I chose to believe you.”
He stared at me, watching me carefully.“Thank you.”
“I’m so sorry about…”
“Jack.I call him Coach.”
“I’m sorry about Coach.”
“Thanks.It’s… We knew it was coming, but it didn’t make it easier.”
“I don’t think loss is ever easy.Was it okay I invited her out today?I should have asked you, but it seemed like maybe she shouldn’t be alone.”
“Yeah, it was a good idea.She’s going to say no because she doesn’t want to make things harder for us, but?—”
“She’s one of your best friends.How would not knowing her make things harder?”
A laugh popped out of his mouth.“I guess you only being here for the summer makes everything different.Hannah never wanted to know her.Christy is a big part of why my marriage ended.”
My eyebrows tugged together.“Because you have a female best friend?”
Josh nodded.
“That makes no sense to me.But I also can’t understand why any woman would let you go.”I wrapped my arms around his waist and tilted my head for a kiss.
He kissed me softly.“You continue to surprise me.”
“I hope in a good way.”
He nodded.“Lots of good ways.”
“Good.”I eyed the French toast.“Any chance I can steal some of your breakfast?You should take some over to Christy.I’m guessing this was for her.”
“Yeah.I… I’m sorry I forgot about you coming over this morning.”
“You had much more important things going on.And I have batteries,” I teased him as I pulled away.
He grabbed my hand and tugged me back into his arms.One hand went to my jaw, tilting my head to suit him as he devoured me.His tongue delved between my lips with zero resistance, tempting and teasing me to forget about my vibrator and anything else on my mind and focus only on Josh.
But I couldn’t.I’d never lost a parent, but I’d lost my grandfather when I was in high school and knew how badly it hurt.I withdrew from Josh and smiled at him.“I promise, I’m not mad.But you should go talk Christy into joining us today.Bring her breakfast.Check on her.”
“You’re too good to be true.”
