Page 62 of An Inconvenient Plan
“You ladies gave me a lot to think about,” Hailey said. “Thank you.”
“We got your back, sister!” Mad said, offering her a fist bump. Hailey gave it to her. “We really will be sisters in two weeks. Awesome, right?”
Hailey’s stomach rolled, nausea rising fast. She swore if she had to hunt down her mom and drag her back by the hair to marry Joe, she’d do it! Oh my! Maybe she was like Josh—aggressive and protective, not the hardheaded and arrogant part. She couldn’t remember feeling that way before. Maybe Josh was rubbing off on her, or maybe it was a hidden strength emerging in difficult circumstances.
“Awesome,” she told Mad, quickly handing over Rose. “I’m going to get more wine.”
Mad took the distraction, Rose, and cuddled her close.
By the time her friends left around midnight, Hailey had a comfortable buzz from the wine and friendship. Her friends all thought she should step away from the crazy male situation. The theory being that the men would miss her and step up in their own way. Only Claire continued to urge her to be direct.
And only Claire remained behind to try to convince Hailey to accept a ride over to Josh’s place. Claire’s driver and bodyguard were waiting.
“Claire, really, it’s late; I’m buzzed. I think I’m just going to go to bed.”
“Then tomorrow, okay? I’m telling you, I get Josh. I know he needs it spelled out. It might be hard, but you have to just put it all out there. Do or die.”
“Okay, okay,” she said just to get Claire off her back.
Claire hugged her. “Call me afterward and tell me how it went.”
“I will.”
Claire finally left.
Hailey took out Rose for her nighttime bathroom break and then got ready for bed. By the time she finished in the bathroom, Rose was sound asleep curled up by Hailey’s pillow. Maybe Claire was right and she would feel better if she just put it all out there. She was so tired of not knowing where she stood with Josh. She changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, put a sleeping Rose in her dog purse, grabbed a flashlight, and left.
Clover Park was safe for a midnight walk. The sidewalks were empty, houses dark, the only sounds the night bugs and birds. Maybe an owl? Doves? She had no clue. A rustle in the bushes had her picking up speed.
By the time she reached the old Victorian where Josh lived, she was slightly out of breath, a little spooked to be out alone, and flushed with exertion. She pressed the intercom buzzer, hoping he was up. Nothing. She texted him. No reply. Buzzed again and again.Come on! Wake up! Damn you, Josh Campbell! I’m ready to speak my truth!
“Hailey?”
She yelped and whirled. Josh was standing right behind her. “You scared me.”
“I just got back from work.”
Of course, she should’ve known. It was Saturday night and he worked until closing. She hadn’t heard his car pull up. She’d been too busy buzzing the buzzer and silently yelling at him.
Adrenaline fueling her, she blurted out everything right away. “I want the courtship you promised me. I only got one dinner twelve days ago and I want more. We’re way past slow burn, but I liked what you suggested. It felt romantic.”
He stepped close, his voice a rumble in her ear. “Hailey, it’s past midnight. We both know why you’re here.” He took her hand and guided her into the foyer and then to his apartment.
“I know, I just said why I was here,” she told him as he pulled her to his bedroom.
He took her dog purse and deposited Rose outside the bedroom door, closing it quietly, and flicked on the light by the nightstand. Then he took her hand, guided her to his bed, and gave her a small shove. She landed, sitting on the mattress.
She spoke her truth in the most direct way possible. “Claire explained Jake very well, and I finally understand…” She trailed off as he joined her, his lips meeting the side of her neck, kissing his way up to her jaw while his hand slid under her sweatshirt. “Josh.”
He met her eyes in question.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
His hand tightened along her ribs. His other hand smoothed her hair back, holding it in a tight grip, the look in his eyes fierce possession before his mouth claimed hers. A spark of pure joy lit her up inside because he’d missed her too.
Josh lay on his side, taking in a relaxed and happy Hailey, naked in his bed where she belonged. He brushed her hair back from her glowing face. He hadn’t held back, aggressive in his possession, and she’d matched him like he’d suspected all along she would. He hadn’t reacted badly once, even with her grabbing hands all over him, climbing him, pushing him down, exploring his body. He trusted her. Or maybe he just knew he could restrain her easily and she wouldn’t mind. She seemed to enjoy when he took over, flipping her to her stomach, putting her into whatever position pleased him. Ah, they were well matched in bed.
She missed me.
