Page 40 of Loving Josy
“Anytime,” I reply at the same time that Esteban responds.
After we finish our beers, we head out. The cool evening air feels good, but my mind is somewhere else entirely—Josy. I can’t stop thinking about her. I need to see her, to hear her voice, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
As I drive home, my thoughts circle back to her over and over again. I glance at my phone and see it’s barely seven. Without giving it too much thought, I turn toward Josy’s house.
I have no excuse for showing up unannounced, but that doesn’t stop me. I just want to see her. As I drive, I wonder how she’ll react when she opens the door and sees me standing there. Will she be annoyed? Surprised? I grip the steering wheel a little tighter, my pulse quickening at the thought.
When I pull up in front of her house, I pause for a moment, taking it in. The massive colonial structure looks like it belongs in a movie, its white columns and dark shutters illuminated bythe golden hues of the setting sun. The sight is breathtaking, but it’s nothing compared to her.
I park the truck and step out, the sound of gravel crunching under my boots grounding me for a moment. As I make my way to the front door, I take the steps two at a time, my heart racing with anticipation. Now that I’m here, I can’t wait another second to see her.
I knock firmly on the door and step back, waiting. My nerves are wreaking havoc on me; my palms feel clammy while my stomach is doing flips. A few moments pass and there’s no answer. I glance around, spotting her SUV parked in the driveway. She’s home.
Confused but determined, I make my way around the side of the house, the soft grass muffling my steps. The backyard is quiet except for the faint chirping of crickets and the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. As I near the back porch, I slow down, taking in the familiar scene.
That’s when I see her.
Josy’s sitting on the porch steps, completely unaware of my presence. She’s wearing pajama shorts and a T-shirt, her legs tucked up casually as she looks out over the yard. Her curls are loose, cascading around her shoulders, catching the light of the fading sun. She looks effortlessly beautiful, and my breath catches in my throat.
I step closer, my boots crunching softly on the grass. She startles at the sound, her head whipping around to face me.
Her wide eyes meet mine, and I can’t help but smile. “Hey,” I say softly, taking another step toward her.
For a moment, she just stares at me, her expression a mix of surprise and something else I can’t quite place. Her lips part, but no words come out.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “I just needed to see you.”
Her shoulders relax slightly, and she gives me a small smile, one that sends a wave of relief washing over me.
Chapter Twenty-One
Josy
The sight of Noah is like a balm to my soul, soothing the restlessness that has plagued me all evening. I don’t know why he’s here, but I don’t care. It’s as if my thoughts summoned him, pulling him to me when I needed him most.
I’ve been sitting on the steps of my back porch, staring out at the fading light, lost in a storm of thoughts about my life. Lately, it feels like I’m walking a tightrope, balancing between fear and longing. A big part of me wants to give Noah and me a chance, but the part of me that’s still hurt is terrified to try.
For the past week, I’ve been battling this indecision. Noah is always there, in the back of my mind no matter how hard I work or how busy I am at the coffee shop. It’s maddening. Even when I’m elbow-deep in spreadsheets or hustling to train the new baristas, I can feel him lingering in the corners of my thoughts, haunting me.
And every time he walks into the coffee shop, it’s like the world shifts. The air around me feels electric, charged with his presence, and my skin tingles, hyper aware of him. I’ve tried to be cordial, keeping my distance while managing a polite smile, but it’s impossible not to notice how he looks at me.
That look.
I remember seeing it in Austin’s eyes last year every time he came to the shop and glanced at Violet. I never told her, but I envied her. I’ve always wanted someone to look at me like that, with raw, unfiltered admiration. And now, Noah is looking at me the same way.
My chest tightens as I take him in. He’s standing there in a gray henley shirt that clings to his broad chest, paired with black jeans that fit just right. A backward cap sits on his head, the casual look somehow amplifying his rugged appeal. It’s like he knows exactly what I like and wears it on purpose to drive me crazy.
He’s so handsome it’s unfair, but it’s not just his looks that get to me. It’s the way he makes me feel seen, wanted, and cared for in a way I’ve never experienced before.
As he steps closer, his smile warm and familiar, I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest. It’s almost enough to drown out the voice of doubt that’s been holding me back. Almost.
“Noah,” I say softly, the word slipping out before I can stop it.
He pauses, his eyes searching mine as if he’s trying to read every thought running through my head. For a moment, it feels like the world around us fades, leaving just the two of us in this bubble of quiet intensity.
“I... I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice softer than usual. “I just needed to see you.”
My heart gives a small, involuntary flutter. “Oh. Is something wrong?”
