I’m left feeling like I’m out in the cold.
I pick up my shirt from the floor but don’t put it on. Then I glance over at the bathroom door again. It sucked hiding our relationship from all our friends tonight. Not just because I can see that the secrecy hurts Jo but also because I want to tell everyone, too. I wanted to tell every single guy that was watching Josie’s curvy body on the dance floor tonight that she’s mine. I want the right to be by her side all the time. Every night.
I don’t want to leave.
When I enter the bathroom, Josie pauses in the act of brushing her teeth. She grabs the glass on the counter and then rinses her mouth. “Did you forget something?”
I drop the shirt I’m still holding on the floor. “Yeah, I did. You. I don’t want to sleep without you. So, I’m staying over if you don’t mind.”
The most dazzling smile crosses her face. “Really?”
It’s amazing how such a simple thing can bring her so much joy. But it shows me that I’ve made the right choice in trusting her. In loving her. I don’t even want to think about how much time I wasted worrying about all the wrong things. Time that we could have been together.
The best thing that ever happened to me was right there all along.
“I love you, Jo.”
Her face crumples slightly and then she’s in my arms. “I thought you were just saying that in the heat of the moment.”
“I said it because I mean it. I love you.”
There’s a hiccup. Then a soft sob. “Say it again, please.”
I laugh and bury my face in her hair. “I love you, sweetheart. I’ll say it a thousand times from now on so you’ll never forget.”
When she raises her head, her eyes are shiny with tears. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget this moment.”
Overcome, I lift her in my arms and spin her around until she’s giggling. I wish I’d thought to do this in a more romantic setting but either way, I’m pretty sure I’ll never forget it either.
After a long leisurely shower, we dry off sharing Jo’s towel. I wrap it around my waist loosely while Jo just scampers across the hall, naked.
“I’ll definitely be buying us our own place,” I mutter.
Josie grins at me and raises her camera. She takes several pictures before I realize what she’s doing.
“Will you say it again?”
For a moment, I’m not sure what she means. She waits patiently though until I figure it out.
“I love you, Josephine Harlow.”
She snaps a picture of me just like that, naked save for the towel around my waist and the love in my eyes.
“I love you too, Zack Marshall.”
†
The next morning, I wake up disoriented and uncomfortable. Even though I loved having Josie wrapped around me last night, I’m not used to sleeping in someone else’s bed. Her mattress is firmer than mine and she’s a bit of a cover hog. This is going to take some adjustment.
Then I realize the reason I woke up was because I felt someone’s eyes on me. Isabelle is standing right next to the bed sipping nonchalantly from her coffee mug.
And I’m stark naked.
“Can I help you?” I grab the sheet and yank it over me. The action wakes Josie, who sits straight up, her hair flying around her head. She’s just as naked as I am.
“What is it? What’s happening?” she mumbles.
I hold the sheet over her as w