Page 55 of Heal Me

“And it’s really that simple?” His tone says he doesn’t believe me.

“Absolutely. We can run to the store, get what we need, then come back here and make it together.”

His whole body relaxes. “That sounds nice. I’d love to cook with you.” His beautiful grin lights up his face. “I’m having such an adventurous day!”

His joy is infectious, and I can’t help but pull him into my arms. “My sweet Jocelin. I utterly adore you.” I cup his cheek with my hand. When he leans into my touch and smiles, I swear thousands of butterflies take flight in my chest. I love being with him like this, and I know it’s something I want. Something I’ll continue to want. Emotion clogs my throat, and I have to swallow a few times before I can speak. “Okay, well, let’s eat more of these delicious cookies, then I’ll get changed, and we can go to the grocery.”

Jocelin doesn’t seem to have noticed my momentary side-trip into sentimentality. “Perfect. Oh, did you text Astrid about dinner with my parents?”

Shit. I knew I’d forgotten something. “No, but I’ll do it right now.” I take out my phone and fire off a text, leaning into Jocelin so he can see.

Me: Jocelin’s parents are in town

Me:Are you and Gary free for dinner tomorrow night?

It takes a minute for her to reply, but eventually the little dots appear.

Astrid: Why are his parents in town?

Astrid:He told me he was doing fine!

Me: He is. But he called them when he wasn’t

Me:They flew in to be here for him

Astrid:sob emojiThat’s so sweet!

Me: Yeah, I guess. The visit could have started sweeter

Me:Facepalm emoji

Astrid: Oh? Shit! You met them, and it didn’t go well?

Me: Well, I may have been naked at the time

Astrid: OMG WTF?!

My phone rings before I can even reply, and Jocelin shakes his head and chuckles. “I knew that would happen.”

I answer the call. “Hey, Bean.”

“Spill. Where did you meet them, and why were you naked?”

I laugh. “I really hope you’re in your office with your door shut.” Jocelin raises an eyebrow.

“Oh, shit. Hold on.” There’s silence until I hear a door slam. “Okay. Tell me everything!”

I scratch my beard and grin sheepishly at Jocelin. “Well, they showed up at Joce’s place unannounced,veryearly in the morning the day after all the shit happened. They let themselves in, and I guess they just walked into his room. We were still sleeping at the time.”

“Wait! You were in bed together? Naked? You didn’t tell me you’d progressed to naked time!”

I roll my eyes. “Not the point.”

“True. Okay.”

“Anyway, I woke up alone and heard voices. I went downstairs, still half-asleep, to find Joce and his parents chatting in the kitchen.”

“Please tell me you were wearing pants.”

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