Page 97 of Just One Kiss

Josh hoped not. All these years he’d been gone, he’d done his best to make sure his mom knew she always had a way out—he’d be her escape. But maybe his father had outgrown his temper? Or maybe his mother had learned how to keep the man from getting too riled?

Maybe Josh had been the source of all their problems to begin with?

Carly had never wanted to keep his family’s secret. She’d begged him to come talk to her father, or at least to Beverly, but Josh had refused. He knew nothing would come of it—his father would talk his way around the truth, and then take his anger out on his mom and Josh. It wasn’t worth it.

But now, he wondered if he should’ve told someone.

Of course he should’ve. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Was it too late for that? Could he convince his mom to leave now? Circumstances had changed—Josh could find her a house or an apartment or let her come stay with him for a while.

“Thanks for letting me crash on your couch,” he said, anxious to change the subject.

She looked away. “Thank Jaden. It was his idea.”

Josh felt like a tire that had just been slashed, all the air oozing out in a hot, hissy stream. “Well, thanks for not overriding him.”

“Maybe you should leave and come back,” she said. “Before my neighbors wake up and get the wrong idea.”

He smiled. “You want me to sneak out like I’m doing the walk of shame?”

She tossed him a skeptical look, and for a split second he swore he saw amusement dancing behind her eyes.

“Fine, I’ll head to the cabin, shower and come back later. Keep your reputation intact.”

“Josh, we need to set some ground rules,” Carly said.

He frowned. “Didn’t we already do that? No flirting. I got it.”

She raised a brow. “You actually don’t get it, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”

He’d forgotten how much he liked her. She was smart and funny and a little bit sarcastic. She pushed his buttons and she made him want to be better. A deep sense of longing pulsed through his body.

He just wanted a second chance—to prove to her he could be the man she needed.God, that’s all I’m asking for.

“If I’m not working and you’re hanging around for the next four weeks, we’re going to need a system.”

“So you can spend as little time with me as possible?”

She avoided his eyes. “That’s not what I’m saying.” Her tone had turned defensive.

“I was just kidding, Carly,” he said, realizing maybe joking with her wasn’t the best idea. “What do you propose? I’ll do whatever you think is best.”

She drew in a breath. “I guess I’m just wondering what you’re going to be doing the next four weeks.”

“You mean am I just going to be sitting here playing video games with Jaden every day?”

“Are you?” She studied him with cruel intensity.

“I’ll be working,” he said. “So maybe we can trade shifts or something?”

“You’re going to work from here?”

“My work is mobile,” he said. “All I need is a computer. I’ll have some Zoom meetings to take sometimes—so I can keep my staff on task—and I was thinking about teaching Jaden a little bit about what I do—get his mind off of skiing while he’s laid up.”

“That’s a great idea.” She sounded surprised.

“I have those sometimes.” He smiled.

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