Page 121 of Josephine and Clay

“You sure?”

Her mouth twitches. “Fairly.”

I lean a little closer. “Then teach me.”

Her breath catches.

There.

The whole barn drops back. Fiddle, laughter, lights, family, pain. All of it blurs at the edges.

Just her.

Those brown eyes. That careful mouth. That fear she thinks she hides. That strength she carries around like armor. Like if she ever sets it down for too long, something important inside her might collapse.

I don’t know what I’m doing with her.

That should scare me.

It does.

But for once, I don’t want to run from the feeling.

The song ends, and applause breaks around us.

Josie steps back first, cheeks flushed. “That was definitely more than one minute.”

“Best minute of your life.”

“Medically unlikely.”

“But emotionally?”

She shakes her head, but she’s smiling. Really smiling.

We make our way back to the edge. Penny appears long enough to give Josie a look so smug I consider reporting her to someone. Josie ignores it with impressive discipline.

“I should go soon,” Josie says after a while.

The words drag through me. “Already?”

“I said one hour.”

“How long’s it been?”

“Longer.”

“Then you’re already in violation. Might as well stay.”

“I have work tomorrow.”

“So do half these people.”

“I also have a life that requires sleep.”

“Sounds fake.”

She laughs softly, then looks toward the open barn doors. The night beyond is dark and warm, the air dusted with music and summer.