Page 57 of Off-Limits Silver Fox Billionaire

We left the bakery together and headed to Iris’s house so she could change her clothes. I opted to wait in the car because I didn’t want to risk running into Josh.

Iris came out a few minutes later, and she was with her mom. Seeing Jenny brought fresh wave of pain, but I tucked it all away and smiled once she got in the car.

“Hi Jenny,” I greeted, and she gave me a big smile.

“Sorry I had to interrupt your fun day girls, but I need to make sure Iris here drives safely, she doesn’t have her license yet.”

Iris flashed me a stiff smile and I instantly understood. “It’s alright Mrs. Sanders,” I said in my best voice. “Let’s go have fun!”

25

JOSH

Jenny wanted the garden to grow out again, but it was winter, and there was very little I could do with the garden at the back. I planted some seedlings in a pit out on the porch, then decided to fix the broken rocking chair because she had enjoyed sitting there a lot when she lived here.

I was still focused on working on the chair when I heard the revving engine behind me. Bree got out of the sedan that was parked by the curb and walked over to the house but stopped without climbing the stairs.

“Hey” I hurried down the stairs to meet her and stopped in front of her.

Seeing Bree this afternoon brightened my mood. I had thought about her non-stop over the past week and I had missed her terribly. She looked so beautiful in the red dress she wore.

Her hair was let loose to fall to her back in a million waves, and I thought her skin glowed more than ever. I wanted to compliment her, but I didn’t think it was right to do that now, so I pressed my lips shut and tried to hold back the urge to touch her.

“Hi,” she said, then smiled at me. The smile made my heart tingle, and I tucked my hands into the pocket of my shorts.

“I came by for Iris, but she texted me just when I parked the car.”

“Oh,” I answered, not knowing what else to say to her. The wedding was a few days away now, and Iris was growing nervous with each passing second. Knowing that she had reconciled with Bree made me relax. Whatever happened, I knew Bree was Iris’s friend and both girls always made each other happy.

Also, Bree didn’t have to be so lonely too. I worried about her and wanted to make sure she was alright.She probably hates me right now,I thought.

“Iris told me,” Bree said, and my head snapped up so I could look at her again. “Iris told me about Jenny’s Alzheimer’s and her living here now. I just wanted to let you know that I understand Josh. She was your first love, and you’ll always care about her. I want you to know that I don’t hate you or anything,” she continued. “Jenny deserves to be happy too.”

Bree was smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I hated the wistful smile on her face.

“You don’t have to be so understanding,” I said, and she moved closer to me.

“I want to be,” she replied. “Because I love you, Josh.”

The words made my heart swell. I couldn’t breathe for a second, and I blinked before blowing air out of my lips. My hands itched to touch her. It was intense and I could barely hold back.

I missed kissing her and holding her in my hands. She was the best thing that had happened to me in a long time, and I wanted her to know that.

“You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in like forever,” I said to her before I could stop myself. “I really wish things were different, Bree…I wish…”

“You don’t need to wish for anything.” She took my hand and put it on her cheek. Feeling her skin beneath mine eased my tension.

I miss her so much.

My hand was still on her cheek when the front door behind us burst open and Jenny walked in on us. I withdrew from Bree even if I hated to.

“Hey,” I heard Jenny call, and she came close, gave me a back hug, then linked her arm with mine. “Hi Bree,” Jenny greeted.

“Hello, Mrs. Sanders.”

“You here for Iris?”

“Yes.” Bree grinned. “But I was just leaving.”

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