“You like making people laughatyou?”
He chuckled. “Sure. Why not?”
“Oh boy. You really are the typical baby of the family.”
He hiked a brow. “Shall we discuss all the ways you’re like an only?”
“No, thank you.” The chorus kicked in, the melody stirring and romantic. “Now hush, I like this song.” She moved in closer and rested her head on his shoulder. His skin was warm beneath the soft material of his button-down, the curves of his shoulder solid beneath her fingertips.
He tightened his arm around her until their torsos pressed together. Until his hand settled at the small of her back.
She shivered. Tucked their clasped hands into the space between their shoulders. He felt so good pressed up against her. He didn’t feel like a friend. Friends didn’t make your heart wobble in yourchest. They didn’t make your knees go noodly or your skin vibrate with life.
He released her hand and slid his arm around her in a full embrace. His breath feathered the hair at her temples, stirring every hair follicle.
Maggie placed her palm on his chest as the sentimental lyrics rang out, taking root in her heart. It was almost as if Josh were singing the words to her. Telling her he was crazy about her. That she’d had his heart for a long time now.
Last night he said he’d kissed her all that time ago because he wanted her. But that was over two years ago. Exactly how long had he felt this way? How long had he been patiently waiting for her to notice him? Josh, who’d been there for her in her darkest days.
Her eyes stung at the thought. She blinked against the tears, her arms automatically tightening around him.
She’d asked him to help her find a man! She’d overlooked him because—
No, not overlooked exactly. She’d been in denial. Her feelings went deeper than friendship. She was just afraid to trust him with her heart. Afraid of the ramifications of caring about him in that way.
But she did care about him in that way.
She did.
As if sensing her internal struggle, he leaned back until their gazes mingled. His expression held questions she didn’t want to answer. Did he notice her eyes were swimming with tears?
He set his hand tenderly on her cheek. “It’ll be okay, Mags.”
Her breath escaped. How did he do that? Read her mind like that?
“I’m not gonna let anything bad happen to you.”
He was worried aboutherwhen she’d been so insensitive about his feelings. She’d only been worried about what she was going through and what she might lose. Guilt pricked hard. “Josh... I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
His lips turned up as a gleam of humor lit his eyes. That quirky eyebrow bounced. “Worth it.”
Chapter 26
Once Josh parked outside Maggie’s place, she whipped the DNA test from her purse.
Talk about a mood buster. After that amazing slow dance and romantic stroll on the beach, this wasn’t how he’d seen the night ending.
Moments later the swab tickled Josh’s inner cheek as she swished it around. Apparently she’d already read the directions because the whole thing was over in twenty seconds flat. “Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘swapping spit.’”
“Funny.” Maggie slipped the swab into a plastic bag and sealed it. “All done. I’ll get it in the mail Monday.”
“This has to be the weirdest first date on record.”
She turned a wry glance his way. “It had its moments. But the sooner we send this, the sooner we get the results. Now walk me to the door and we’ll say good night.”
He reached for the handle. “Will I get a kiss?”
“You said we’d take it slow.”
