Page 30 of Replay

We went down a hall with a couple of doors off it before taking a turn and arriving in the living room.

“Wow.”

Madeline had a nice place. But this place had French doors to a huge balcony, letting in the view. The sun, now on the western side of noon, illuminated the wide spaces. I could see furniture outside—big couches and a table.

“You like it?”

“That view, the windows? What’s not to like?” Josh didn’t answer, and I turned to see him looking down, bashful. “It’s really nice, Josh.”

“Thanks. It’s not too much, is it?”

Was he embarrassed by his success? “You make a lot of money now. Why shouldn’t you enjoy it?”

He sighed. “It doesn’t seem real sometimes, you know?”

“But it is, isn’t it?” I kept my voice low.

“I’m not sure I deserve it.”

Josh had been at the top of my hit list, along with Rhonda, a couple of weeks ago, but he’d dropped down once I’d understood better what had happened. His mom and my parents had moved up in his place. He still bore responsibility, but knowing Josh, my anger was cold and fading. How upset could you be with a golden retriever who gave you those sad eyes?

He was who he was. And we weren’t dating, and I wasn’t trusting him with my heart. We could probably work out being friends. To his credit, he wasn’t forgetting where he came from, and he wasn’t arrogant.

He led the way through another doorway that opened to the kitchen. I dropped the bags of food on the counter, prepared to take my portion and go.

“I’m starving. Want to join me?”

I hesitated. Two weeks ago I’d have happily spit in his plate. Was I ready to sit down and share food and chat? I’d come to help him when he was stuck, so it was a little late to try to nurse those previous hurts.

While I dithered, his face fell. “Sorry. You want to go.” He pulled his phone out. “I’ll get you a ride.”

“I can stay long enough to eat.”

He looked up, a smile creasing his face. “That’s awesome.”

“Tell me where the plates are.” Because apparently I was hanging out with my new friend.

Chapter 11

You make Me Sound Like a Kid

Josh

My day had taken a shitty turn with the injury to my knee, but now it was so much better. I’d been trying to find the right way to reach out to Katie, and she was here at my place and wasn’t rushing off the first chance she had.

Not saying I’d get hurt again to get this result, but I could enjoy it this time.

She set plates on the counter and started to pull out containers from the takeout bag.

“Let me help.”

She frowned at me. “You’re not supposed to be on your feet, are you?”

Shit. I’d forgotten, too excited to have her here, but I’d better do what Carlos had told me to do. “Okay. I just need to get an ice pack.”

She pointed to the living room. “Sit.”

I boosted myself up on one of the stools at the breakfast bar. I leaned the crutches against it and pulled my injured leg up to rest on another stool.

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