Page 5 of The White Enchantress

“Yeah, well, it didn’t work out. They picked someone else.”

“I’m sorry, Josh.”

“It’s okay, love. I am still thinking about starting a nature retreat, even if you don’t want to join me on that adventure. I know theidea started as a joke when you were taking those hippie courses at uni, but I’m starting to take it as a serious career path for myself.”

“If that’s what you want to do with your life, do it. I’ll help out where I can, give you my expertise.” I wink at him, making him laugh. With his luggage in the trunk, Josh and I jump into the backseat of Leo’s rental car.

“How long is the drive to Princeton? I am in desperate need of a real drink.”

“Just under an hour.”

“Lovely. Will we be driving through Manhattan? I’ve never been to New York City before.”

“We are already in New Jersey, Josh. You might be able to see the skyline as we exit. But I’ll take you to the city, don’t worry. There’s a Broadway revival ofOklahoma!I’ve already purchased our tickets.”

“You are amazing, Guin. I love you.” Josh pulls me into an awkward hug, our seatbelts keeping our bodies from touching each other. “And you sure this is New Jersey? It doesn’t look like the place you’ve described to me a million times.”

“That’s because this is Newark and the airport. Once we get past the urban landscape, you will see how beautiful New Jersey is. Mountains, woods, lakes, farms, history. I love it here.”

As soon as we get back from dinner, Josh falls asleep on the couch. He is suffering from a pretty bad case of jetlag. He had tried to stay up until at least ten but failed miserably. I have to nudge him in his tender sides to get him to walk up to bed.

After tucking him in, I walk to my room, where I finish planning our trip to the city. We’ll stay at a hotel right on Times Square and roam around the city visiting museums, parks, famous buildings, and eating at all my favorite restaurants.

There is a bar in Hell’s Kitchen that hosts Open Mic Nights. I add that to our itinerary and make a note to remind Josh to bring his guitar when we go. There are so many things to do and see in Manhattan I am a little overwhelmed with the choices.

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge and The Highline, both a must. We also need to go to Central Park and The Met. I leave some options for Josh to decide and close my laptop even though I could have stayed up all night planning every second of the five-day trip.

The following day, I let Josh sleep in a bit while I go down to the kitchen to whip up some pancakes and bacon. With the bacon in the oven and the pancakes keeping warm on the stove, I sprint upstairs to wake up Josh.

When I walk into his room, he is still dead asleep. He must have woken up at some point in the night as his shirt and pants are onthe floor. I creep up next to his bed and softly whisper, “Good morning,” in his ear.

Instead of jolting awake, Josh grabs me by the waist and pulls me under him as he rolls over on his stomach. His eyes are barely open as his face dips down to mine, lips seeking for a kiss. “Josh!” I yell. His eyes shoot open then.

“Fuck. Sorry, Guin. I thought you were Izzy. I’m still a little disoriented from sleep and jetlag, I suppose.” Josh rolls off me onto his back. He presses his fingers against the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. “Though, there have been many mornings I wake up and think she’s in my bed even though we haven’t seen each other in months.”

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with you and Isabella. I know you loved her.”

“I don’t think I did. I was just comfortable.”

“Oh, well, I’m sorry all the same.”

Josh grabs my hand, giving my palm a tender kiss. “Thanks, love.”

“The bacon! I put bacon in the oven before coming up here. I should check on it. Come down when you are ready.” I slap a kiss on his forehead and jump off of the bed.

Josh and I have always been affectionate with each other. This is probably why our friends all thought we were secretly shagging throughout high school and college. I never thought anything of it though. Wearemore than best friends. We are kindred spirits. But the way Josh kissed my hand sent shivers down my spine to aplace where Josh is not allowed. I feel my body ask for more and nearly turn around to walk back into his room and take what my body wants.

Fighting the feeling, I sprint downstairs and into the kitchen. The bacon survived, though a little singed.Crispy bacon is the best kind of bacon anyway. As I place the strips onto a plate covered with paper towels to soak up the grease, Josh stomps in and plops down on a chair at the kitchen table.

“You look dreadful,” I say, avoiding his eyes. For some reason, I can’t look into his eyes just yet.

“And Ifeeldreadful. But that bacon smells absolutely divine. I plan on devouring every bite. What are you going to have for breakfast?”

“Don’t you dare steal my bacon. Equal shares. I’ve been deprived of bacon for years while living in England.”

“I’ve been deprived my whole life!” Josh yells jokingly. “I’m seriously starved though. Give me at least a pile of bacon and a stack of those pancakes, please and thank you, love.”

I put his order together, gently placing it in front of him with a large cup of orange juice. Sitting across from him with my own plate of bacon and pancakes, I ask, “How did you sleep?”

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