Page 255 of Josephine and Clay

She searches my face, waiting for me to grin and tell her I'm screwing with her.

When I don't, she lets out a breath. "Clay, that's a huge opportunity."

"Yeah."

"You've spent years working toward something like that."

I glance down at the cribs, then back at her. "A few months ago, I would've thrown my bag in the truck before Brandon finished explaining it."

A sad smile tugs at her mouth. "That's what I thought."

"I know."

"You don't have to stay because of me," she says quietly. "Or because of the babies."

A laugh slips out before I can stop it. "Josie, you think Brandon spent twenty minutes pitching that job?"

Her brow furrows.

"He spent forty-five."

That earns me a reluctant smile.

I reach for her hand and thread our fingers together. "The whole time he was talking, all I could think about was being here." Her expression softens. "I kept wondering if you'd eaten lunch. Whether Boone had talked me into building the cribs wrong. If the twins were going to inherit your stubborn streak."

"They absolutely are."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

She laughs, shaking her head.

"I've given you plenty of reasons to doubt me. I spent years thinking freedom meant keeping one foot out the door."

The admission hangs between us.

"I thought staying somewhere meant getting stuck." I glance toward the cribs. "Turns out I had it backwards."

The tears gathering in her eyes nearly undo me.

“Being here doesn't feel confining. Neither do the babies. And loving you certainly doesn't.” I smile. “For the first time in my life, I know exactly where I want to be. I'm falling in love with you, Josie."

The confession leaves me feeling strangely exposed.

As though I've placed my entire future in her hands and waited to see what she'd do with it.

She just looks at me.

Then her entire expression softens. The walls she carries around seem to lower all at once. And I realize she's just as scared as I am.

"Good," she whispers.

I blink.

A laugh escapes me. "Good?"

A smile trembles across her face. "Because I'm falling in love with you too."

Relief crashes through me so suddenly that I have to close my eyes for a second.