Page 106 of Just One Kiss

She quickly surveyed him for cuts and bruises. “What’s wrong?”

He raked his hand through his hair, then met her eyes. “It’s you.”

She frowned. She hadn’t done anything wrong. “What about me?”

He shook his head. “I thought I was over this. I thought I’d gotten it in my head that I was here for Jaden and for no other reason, but every day it’s becoming clearer that’s not enough.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, seeing you every day. Seeing you here, now, with your hair all piled on top of your head and wearing those shorts.”

She felt suddenly self-conscious.

“Or the other morning making coffee.”

“What about that?”

He seemed not to hear her. “Or when I saw you out at that restaurant in that dress with that doctor guy and . . .”

She stilled. “And what?”

“And I didn’t like it.” He turned in a circle but snapped his attention back to her. “I hated it, actually.”

“Josh, I—”

He held up a hand to silence her. “I know. I don’t deserve a second chance. Not even a little bit, but I’m still standing here asking for one, Carly, because—” His eyes, filled with every earnest and genuine thing, met hers. “Because I’ve never stopped loving you.”

“Josh—” What was he saying? Why was he saying this now? This was the last thing she needed. As if things weren’t confusing enough.

“I don’t know where things stand with you and the doctor, and if you decide that this guy is right for you, I will step aside. I’ve spent my whole life believing you were better off without me, and that’s probably true, but I don’t want it to be. I’m different now. I’ve had enough time away to realize I don’t have to be that guy I was back then.”

She watched as his breath finally slowed and he took a step back.

“I want you more than anything, Carly. I can’t stop thinking about you.” He moved toward her, so close she could feel his breath on her skin. “You and me and Jaden—we’re a family. Let me at least try to make this right. Give me a second chance.”

Her knees wobbled as she forced herself to look him in the eyes. “Josh, we tried. It didn’t work out. It would be foolish to think anything has changed.”

He touched her face, then dipped his forehead to hers. “We were really good together. I know you remember.”

She hated that her eyes clouded over. Traitors. She closed them and drew in a deep breath. She did remember. Despite all her trying to forget, she remembered. And he was right—they had been so good together for a while.

And then they weren’t. She opened her eyes and pulled away.

“I do remember,” she said, forcing herself to be colder than she wanted to be. “I remember you leaving. I remember you choosing to go. I remember raising our son by myself.”

“And I’ve lived with that for years.”

“And so have I,” she said.

“I know you don’t believe me, but I promise, Carly, Iwillmake it up to you.”

She couldn’t look at him. She feared that he might see straight through her.

“You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.” He moved closer. “Just one kiss, Carly. Let me prove that what we have between us isn’t over.”

She faced him, the overwhelming desire to give in washing over her. “Josh—” She forced herself to take a step back, and his face fell.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to earn a second chance.” His eyes locked on to hers. “I’d wait a lifetime for that kiss.”

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