Page 51 of Loving Josy
“Violet lied.” Esteban pops out from his hiding spot, arms spread wide. “You’re welcome.”
Josy laughs, finally breaking out of her stunned daze. She turns to Violet, who shrugs innocently. “You deserve this,” Violet says. “Don’t fight it.”
Before Josy can say anything else, Esteban moves Josy to the dining table where the cake sits proudly on the table. “Andthis,Josy, is my mom’s masterpiece. Best Puerto Rican cake you’ll ever have in your life.”
Her brow furrows as she stares at the cake. “Puerto Rican cake?”
“You’ve never had it before,” I tell her, coming up beside her, “but trust me, you’re going to love it.”
She looks up at me then, and I swear the way her eyes soften knocks the air right out of my lungs. “All of this… you guys didn’t have to?—”
“But we wanted to,” I interrupt, holding her gaze. “I wanted to.”
“Besides, we love you Aunt Josy,” Adrian says as he hugs her.
“I love you more, little dude,” Josy responds.
Her smile stretches wider, and she reaches for my hand.
“Thank you, Noah,” she whispers.
Before I can respond, Esteban claps his hands together. “Enough talking! Let’s eat dinner so we can have some cake.”
Josy laughs, and just like that, the room fills with noise and life—Austin cracking jokes, Esteban going on about his mom’s baking secrets, and Violet playfully trying to referee Adrian, who’s already trying to pop the balloons. But through it all, I keep my eyes on Josy.
She’s smiling. Laughing. Letting herselfenjoythis moment.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Josy
I’ve been so busy today that I haven’t even had time to think about my birthday. The morning started with Violet wrapping me in a big, warm hug. She handed me a beautifully wrapped bag filled with lotions, bath bombs, massage oils, face masks, and lip masks—a whole arsenal of self-care.
“I need you to take a day and pamper yourself,” she said, her voice gentle. “You deserve a day where you don’t think about coffee shops, schedules, or anything else. I’ll take care of everything while you enjoy a full day of rest.”
I was stunned by her thoughtfulness. “Really? You’ll handle itall?”
“Yes, Josy. I can keep things running for one day without the world falling apart.” She smirked, her hands on her hips.
I nodded, rubbing my baby bump absentmindedly. “Okay. I’ll pick a day next week and just... chill. I really need it.”
Her expression softened as she reached out to touch my arm. “I know, honey. Everly’s wearing you out, and you’ve got so much on your plate. You need to take a breath now because once Everly is here, you won’t have a moment to yourself for years.”
“Ugh, don’t say that.” I laughed even as I felt a twinge of dread at the thought. “I’m an independent woman, Vi. I can handle a business and a baby at the same time.”
“You can,” she agreed, her voice laced with conviction. “But even superwomen need rest. If you burn out, you can’t take care of anyone—not the business, not Everly, and definitely not yourself.”
I sighed, knowing she was right. “Okay, okay. I hear you.”
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile. “You know what would make this even better?”
“What?”
“If you let Noah pamper you.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “He could give you a massage, rub your feet, maybe spoil you with some love.”
The mental image made me chuckle. “That does sound like heaven. But it’s been six weeks since we... you know. He’s been so patient, and even though we talk every day and I see him constantly, I just don’t know if I’m ready.”
Violet tilted her head, studying me like she always does when she’s trying to peel back my layers. “Why do you think you’re not ready, Josy?”
