Chapter 31
Much to Josh’s dismay, the pizza night at Maggie’s never happened. On the way out of the aquarium, Erin called. It was her and Patrick’s anniversary and their sitter canceled last minute. Owen had plans with his friends and could Josh please, please come watch Mia for a couple hours so they could make their reservation?
He never minded spending time with his nieces and nephew, but he’d been anticipating some alone time with Maggie. That didn’t happen, however, and now, after a long week at work, complete with an engine problem and bad weather, Josh was eager to collect on that rain check.
The delicious tangy scent of the pie rose from the box on his passenger seat. They’d have supper and he’d play with Zoey for a bit. And then, at long last, he’d take Maggie into his arms as he’d been dying to do all week.
He’d replayed their recent conversations in his head a dozen times. Recalled the way she’d gazed at him. He couldn’t believe she had broached the topic of exclusivity. Couldn’t believe that, after all these years, she was officially his girl.
Glancing in the mirror, he caught a glimpse of his dopey grin. Couldn’t even blame himself for it. He was the luckiest man in the world. Hopefully she’d dealt with Derrick this week. Josh didn’t careto see the man’s name appear on her screen again. After watching her with Ethan all those years, he’d experienced enough jealousy to last him a lifetime.
In fact, he was feeling so optimistic that on Monday morning he’d called Jonathan Wells at the Charleston Yacht Club and graciously turned down his job offer. Thank God Josh wouldn’t have to sell his business and move away. He would’ve done so if Maggie hadn’t given him a chance, but he was grateful things hadn’t worked out that way.
He caught himself whistling as he took the steps to his parents’ place. He was a goner. If he didn’t know it before, he knew it now.
Seconds after he knocked, Zoey flung open the door and her eyes lit on the box. “Pizza!”
“Hey, what about me?” Josh said.
“Hi, Uncle Josh. Can I carry the pizza?”
Maggie appeared in the foyer, the spiral curls she’d placed in her hair not yet brushed out. “Zoey, I told you not to answer the door without me.”
“It’s just Uncle Josh.”
“But you didn’tknowit was Uncle Josh.” Maggie sent him a chagrined smile.
“Sorry!” Zoey scooted off with the pizza.
“That girl.” She lowered her voice. “She called meMaggieearlier.”
Since Zoey was now conveniently around the bend, Josh leaned forward and took advantage of Maggie’s sweet lips. She returned his kiss and when her fingers skated up his chest, he reached around and pulled her closer. Aah, this was more like it.
The intended quick peck turned into a long, searching kiss that made Josh go warm with want. When he deepened the kiss, her eager response had his hands roaming over the planes of her back.
“I can’t reach the plates!”
They sprang apart at the sound of Zoey’s voice, so close by.
Maggie sent him an apologetic look and turned for the kitchen. “Don’t climb on the counter.”
Sure enough, when they entered the kitchen, Zoey had already pulled up a barstool and was climbing onto it.
Josh lifted her down. “I’ll get them, Cupcake. You grab the silverware.” He glanced at Maggie’s hair. “While Mommy finishes getting ready.”
Her hand flew to her head. “I totally forgot. Be right back.”
He helped Zoey set the table while she prattled on about their day and finally about the movie they’d watch after pizza. Zoey expounded on the plot as they sat at the table to wait for Maggie.
“She’s locked in a tower and her hair is magical.” She lifted the pizza box’s lid and peeked inside. “Maggie said we can watch it after pizza.”
“You meanMommy.”
“But you call her Maggie.”
“That’s true, I do. Everyone else calls her by her first name. But there’s only one person in the whole wide world who gets to call her Mommy.”
“That’s me!”
