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“Worried? Who’s worried?” Dad scoffed. “I already made up the guest room, which is down here, I’m afraid.” He looked anything but regretful about that.
But it didn’t faze Josh as he flashed my father a charming smile. “Sounds good to me, Mr. B. I know how it is.”
I stared at him, wondering what the hell had gotten into him when the back door flew open. “Is she home?” The voice wrapped around me like a warm blanket. “Dayna Bug, get over here and give me a hug.”
Before I knew what I was doing, I was out of the chair and rushing into Carson’s arms. “God, it’s so good to see you,” I whispered, letting him cocoon me.
I’d forgotten how good it felt to be enveloped in his six-three frame. How safe it made me feel. He didn’t reply, just held on like he couldn’t believe I was here, and I gobbled it up just as I did with every other hug he’d ever given me.
“I fucking missed you,” he eventually murmured against my hair, low enough that the words were for me and me alone. I smiled. Okay, so maybe I grinned like a fool.
We’d stayed in touch over the years and seen each other enough at holidays and family events, but each time I had to say goodbye to him and return to my life in Boston.
This time there was no saying goodbye to him.
Carson Walsh.
My best friend in the whole world.
The guy who had mopped up more tears than I cared to remember, not to mention all the tubs of Ben and Jerry’s we’d eaten together.
Someone coughed, and I froze.
Crap.
Carson’s face left my neck, and he looked over my shoulder just as Josh said, “Dayna?”
Double crap.
“Hey, man.” Carson hugged me into his side and ruffled my hair in that annoying way an older brother might. “I’m Carson.”
“Carson, right.” Josh stood up and came around the table, his hand already extended in front of him. “I’m Josh, Dayna’s boyfriend,” he said stiffly.
The word seemed to puncture the air, but if Carson noticed, he didn’t let on as he slid his hand into Josh’s and smiled wide. “Nice to meet you.”
If I had worried about the awkward handshake between Dad and Josh, it had nothing on this. Neither man seemed willing to let up, and after another couple of painful seconds, I clapped my hands and said, “Well then, now we’re all introduced… Mom, how about those brownies?”
She leapt into action, fetching plates from the cabinet. Josh returned to the table, but not before clutching the back of his neck and regarding Carson for another second. And Carson, arm still firmly around my shoulder, led me to the table, pulled out my chair, and tucked me in as I sat.
“You add in the extra chips, Judy?” He went over to Mom and helped her divvy up the brownies onto the plates like it was the most natural thing in the world. I felt Josh’s eyes on me, burning holes in the side of my head, but I couldn’t meet his glare. It would have to wait until later—in private—when I’d have to explain why I had failed to mention Carson.
At least Carson played a better game than him because if he were surprised I’d shown up with a boyfriend in tow, he didn’t act like it. Until he pulled up a stool beside Mom, opposite me, and his big knowing brown eyes met mine.
Crap, I knew that look. It was the same look he’d given me so many times before.
Explain yourself, Dayna Bug.
Yeah, this wasn’t going to be awkward at all.
CHAPTER2
DAYNA
“I’m goingto grab a shower, if that’s okay?” Josh whispered; his hand firmly rested on my knee. Perhaps a little tighter than usual.
But then, I had dropped Carson on him without any warning, so I’d give him his overly possessive grip this once. As soon as we had a private moment, I intended to tell him to drop his territorial macho bullshit. I wasn’t a prize to be won; besides, he already had me.
He hadnothingto be worried about.
