Page 154 of Just One Kiss

“But Jaden—”

“Is he alone?”

She glanced back at the house. “Actually, no. He’s with your mom.”

Josh nodded. “I think he’ll be okay.”

“And your mom?”

“There’s no way my dad’s getting out tonight,” he said.

It was true. Right now was perhaps the safest they would be until his father’s trial.

“Okay,” she said.

“Yeah?” His face brightened, reminding her of the Josh she used to know.

“Should I tell them where we’re going?”

“You don’t know where we’re going.” There was mischief in Josh’s smile.

She looked away to hide her own smile. “Then should you tell them?”

“I’ll text Jaden.”

She got in the truck and closed the door. “Everything okay?”

He reached across the seat and squeezed her hand. “Everything’s good.”

He pulled out of the driveway but didn’t let go. She looked down at their two hands, still entwined, and her insides filled with warmth. She didn’t know where things stood between them, and while she wanted to label and define it, she chose to let it just be—for now anyway.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” He smiled at her.

They drove through town and then along Bend Road, which had spectacular views of the lake.

His dad had been in court earlier that morning. Had Josh gone? Was that the errand he needed to run?

She ran her thumb over his hand. “You’re okay?”

He glanced at her. “I think I will be.”

She nodded, knowing it would take time to heal what was broken inside him and time to heal what had been broken between them. She only prayed it was time they had, that maybe they’d get that second chance, after all.

He veered onto a gravel road, which turned out to be a private driveway.

“I think we’re trespassing,” she said.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I promise.”

She eyed him suspiciously, searching for any hint of what he was up to, but found nothing but amusement behind his eyes.

They rode up over the hill and a sprawling white, two-story house came into view. With a large wraparound porch and direct view of the lake in the backyard, the cottage could’ve been photographed for magazines—and probably had. It had a distinctly upscale cottage feel, with a bright red mailbox, black light fixtures and a sweet little playhouse off to one side.

“Do you know Gerard Thomas?”

“Who?” Josh laughed.

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