Page 37 of Just One Kiss

“Isn’t there some kind of code against that? Is he breaking the law or something by asking you out?”

Carly opened the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of water. “No, Jaden. It’s not against the law.”

“Well, it’s not cool,” Jaden said. “Now my appointments are going to be even weirder than they are with you two in the same room.” He looked at Josh. “You three.”

Josh looked away. “I’m gonna get going.”

Get me out of here.

“Come back tomorrow so I can kick your butt some more.” Jaden grinned, then walked back to the living room. Josh gave him a playful shove as he passed by.

He held on to Carly’s gaze as the seconds ticked by, then she finally looked away.

“See you tomorrow,” he said.

“Yep.”

He walked out, said goodbye to Jaden and as soon as he hit the front porch, he inhaled a sharp breath.

How much more of this could he take?

“Josh?”

Carly’s voice from behind stopped him. He begged himself to hold it together. He didn’t want her thinking he was upset about her going out with the doctor. He didn’t want her knowing he was struggling to sort through his regret, his mistakes, his own idiocy. Not to mention the overwhelming desire coursing through his veins.

The idea of Carly with anyone else—no matter how happy the guy made her—turned his thoughts dark.

But she didn’t need to hear that right now. She needed someone strong and solid. Probably someone like that doctor.

He turned. “Yeah?”

“What are you doing here? I mean really?”

His chest tightened. “Do you want me to go?”

“No,” she said quickly. “I just don’t know what to make of any of this. You’re in there being Super-Dad, helping me, hanging out with Jaden—” She shook her head. “I just don’t get it.”

“What can I say? I’m full of surprises.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and stared her down.

“I’m serious, Josh.” And the look on her face said as much.

“I told you before, I’m not the same guy I was.”

“Because you’ve got money now?”

“Because I know what’s important now.” Did he ever. It hadn’t taken a life-threatening illness or a brush with death to realize the error of his ways. It had simply taken a taste of success followed by the revelation that he’d left behind the only people he wanted to share it with.

And maybe he was fooling himself. After all, the odds of her forgiving him were slim. He’d made a choice, and it had been the right choice at the time. He’d done what he needed to do.

He had so much to work through back then—he still did. But that didn’t stop him from hoping he could win her back. That didn’t stop him from wanting to be good enough for Carly and for Jaden.

Was he fooling himself?

“We’re not playing house here, Josh. You being here, it’s confusing.”

“Confusing for Jaden or for you?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Both, I guess.”

---