Stanton Box Set
“Don’t leave the hospital, okay?” He runs his hand up my thigh.
I smile softly as I nod. “Okay,” I whisper.
“Take the guard with you if you leave your office.”
I smile again.
“What?” he frowns.
“You’re very cute when you get all over-protective.” I smile.
“I mean it, do as you’re told. This is serious.” He frowns.
“Yes boss,” I whisper as I lean in to kiss him. “Will you ring me when you hear from Max?”
“If the murderer gets off, I am coming to get you straight away,” he snaps.
“Oh god, Joshua, now you’re being a drama queen.” I run my hand through his stubble. “I love you,” I whisper.
His face drops and his eyes search mine. “I love you too,” he whispers as he forces a smile.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Why do you look at me like that when I tell you I love you?” I ask.
He frowns. “Like what?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Nothing. I will see you when you pick me up.”
He nods. “See you then.”
“Do you want to go out for dinner?” I ask hopefully.
“No,” he answers.
“Why?”
“You know why—it’s like sitting in a goldfish bowl with all the security surrounding us. I don’t enjoy going out at the moment.”
“Are you going to let us be prisoners in my apartment for the rest of our lives?” I sigh. “You think I like this shit!” he snaps.
“Whatever,” I sigh. “See you tonight.” I exit the car in a rush and he waits until I walk into the building. God, he’s so bloody wound up at the moment.
Eight o’clock that night we are sprawled on my lounge watching television as I eat chocolate ice cream. My feet are on Joshua’s lap and he is deep in thought. I can tell by the way he is running the side of his pointer finger back and forth over his lips, his elbow resting on the side rest.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask.
He looks towards me as I pull him from his thoughts. “Just how I would do anything to make you happy.” He picks up my foot and kisses the top of it and smirks at me.
I smile and guilt runs through me. He is trying so hard but I know deep down he is devastated about leaving his life in LA and Willowvale. When I put the pieces together I realised that he has not been himself since he told the boys he is moving here.
“Josh … I’ve been thinking about it.” I bite my lip as I contemplate whether I am doing the right thing.
He raises an eyebrow in question.
“You know I love you too much to let you sacrifice for me.”
His face drops. “What do you mean?”
“I know you don’t want to leave LA,” I answer.