“I don’t want to disappoint Gina,” I said finally, my voice quieter than I’d expected.
“She’ll get over it,” he said, and there was a softness in his tone, not dismissive, but understanding. “She’s barely home anyway.”
“I know. But she’s excited about it. And lately, I guess…” I gave a nervous laugh, immediately wishing I hadn’t said that much. “It’s stupid.”
Josh didn’t laugh. He just waited.
“Things have changed, you know? Even though it feels easy again—living with her, talking like old times—we’ve grown up. It’s not the same anymore. So, this gives us a thing. A grounding point.”
His hummed as he took in my response. “I get that.”
I looked at him—really looked. His hair was tousled, hoodie wrinkled. He was a lot like the guy I remembered years ago, but different. Comfortable in a way that made the conversation even more easy. Neither of us hiding who we were from each other like on all these dates I was going on. I was so used to having to put my best foot forward. Here, with him. I could just be.
Even if right now I was being sick on the bathroom floor.
“These guys you’re going on these dates with,” he said, rubbing a hand along his jaw, “they’re really screwing it up out there, huh?”
“Apparently.” I gave him a sideways glance. “Are you dating right now?” The words were out before I could stop them. I wanted to claw them back immediately.
Josh paused, and something unreadable passed over his face. His fingers flexed against his leg.
“Nope,” he said finally.
I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until I let it go. Though I shouldn’t have been feeling what I did. Relief.
“You should,” I said after a second.
His brow lifted. “Should what?”
“Date,” I said carefully. “You’re a catch, right? Isn’t that what guys like you always say?”
He grunted as he pushed up off the floor, stretching his arms behind his back. “You trying to put me through the same sort of torture you are?”
I laughed, tilting my head back and letting my eyes drift closed. “Just suggesting.”
Josh stood for a moment, quiet. Then, before walking past, he ruffled the top of my head lightly—like I was still the girl who used to tag along behind him and Gina in the summer heat.
But I wasn’t her anymore.
And I had a feeling he knew that too.
“How about I help you get up off the floor?” he offered. “How are you feeling?”
“Oddly better.”
He shrugged. “That’s a good sign.”
“I guess so.”
“Just get some rest and see how you’re feeling later.”
I nodded, letting my body weight lean against him as he walked me next door to my room. This was becoming a habit. Yethe didn’t make a complaint as he pulled back the blanket on my bed and maneuvered me until I was sitting on the edge.
“In.” He directed my legs.
“Thank you.”
Shaking his head, he walked toward the blinds and shut them until we were in near darkness. “I’ll get you some water.”
