Page 60 of Just One Kiss

“Cole, it doesn’t have to be like this.”

No response but a slamming door.

Josh’s friend had never been one for conversation, but whatever had gone down between him and Gemma had made him even more reclusive and withdrawn.

Josh pulled the guest room door open and walked into the hallway just in time to see Gemma take her wedding ring off, put it on the counter and walk out the door.

He’d overstayed his welcome at Cole’s—he was sure the man would much rather be having this conversation with his wife without Josh in the next room. And while most people would like company in times of crisis, Cole wasn’t like most people. He did better on his own, and he always had.

Josh should go. Cole would never ask him to leave, but he was in the way. What if Gemma came back? What if they needed space to work through things and he stood in the way of that?

He’d start looking at short-term rentals that day—with any luck he’d find something workable and get out of Cole’s hair.

* * *

At six o’clock on the Sunday after the engagement party, Josh arrived, Chinese take-out in hand. Carly pulled the door open and the smell of Kung Pao chicken filled the entry of her small house.

She made a point not to notice the fact that he could make a simple T-shirt and pair of worn jeans looklike that, focusing instead on what he had to offer.

“Hungry?” He held up the paper bag and gave it a shake.

“Starving,” she said. “I’ve been cleaning all day, getting ready—” But she couldn’t say it. She didn’t want to talk about Jaden’s surgery. She’d been over it and over it and she knew he would be fine, but every once in a while, those niggling what-ifthoughts weaseled their way in.

Lord, I don’t know how to take control of this situation. I don’t like feeling helpless. I don’t like wondering whether or not he will be okay—I just pray you protect him tomorrow. No more surprises. Let everything go according to plan.

The prayers had been on a constant stream in her subconscious, as if her spirit was continually praying as she sprayed down toilets and folded laundry.

Josh must’ve seen the way she shut her thoughts down because his gaze on her was so intent she felt it in her stomach, as if he was asking if she was okay and telling her it would be all in a single glance.

But she didn’t need assurances from Josh or anyone else. They just needed to get through the next few months and then life could get back to normal.

“Hey, I found something interesting,” Josh said. He pulled a sheet of folded paper out of his back pocket and handed it to her.

“What’s this?”

“Read it.”

Carly opened the paper and found an article printed off the internet.Michigan Swimmer Powers Through Heart Condition.Her eyes skimmed the words on the page. This collegiate swimmer had Long QT and she was not only competing, she was winning.

“Her doctor gave her the all clear,” Josh said. “But it’s not just her doctor, it’s most doctors. If you look it up online, you get tons of articles that say they no longer restrict athletes with ICDs.”

“But Dr. Roby—”

“Is an old dude,” Josh said. “Maybe he hasn’t kept up on the latest developments.”

That couldn’t be true. Could it? He was older—a lot older—so maybe he’d grown tired.

“If there’s even a chance he could keep competing, we should look into it,” Josh said. “We promised.”

“No,youpromised.” Carly sighed. She couldn’t deny he had a point. “Maybe I could call the school and get in touch with this swimmer.” She looked at the paper. “Elizabeth Maney.”

“Yeah?”

Carly re-folded the paper. “Let’s not mention it to Jaden though. I don’t want to get his hopes up.”Or mine.

Josh nodded in agreement.

“You gonna stand out there all night?”

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