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Her father glared at her. “You’ll do well to remember what I said, Jocelyn.” He stalked out of her bedroom and slammed the door behind him.
Joss took a deep breath and reluctantly raised the phone back to her ear. “What do you want?”
Toby made a tsking sound. “Using me to get rid of Daddy? Whatever should I think?”
“Tobias—”
“You didn’t tell Garret.”
What could she have said? Oh, Garret, of course we’re getting married when or if you ever ask, but I kissed your best friend and that’s okay, right?
“No, I didn’t say anything. And I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. But it’s done and it won’t happen again. I was upset and—You must think I’m a horrible person, but I regret it and Iamsorry.”
“I’m not.”
“You don’t mean that. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep the matter between us, too. Garret doesn’t need to know. It would only hurt him.”
Silence. What was he thinking? Would he tell Garret anyway? Had he already? No, no, Garret would’ve been upset when she’d talked to him.
“Have you seen him? Has he kissed you since then?”
She’d thought about going to say goodbye to Garret in person but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She needed space, time to process and deal with whatever had made her behave the way she had.
It won’t happen again.No, it wouldn’t. Passion couldn’t be trusted, couldn’t be controlled, and she valued control. Needed it. This afternoon was an example of that and why it was all wrong. She’d allowed her body to lead her astray once, how could she have succumbed again?
No, she wanted a normal life with a normal man, not one who made her do things she’dneverotherwise consider.
“Answer me, Jocelyn. Have you seen him? Did he kiss you?”
“That’s none of your business. Good—”
“Don’t hang up, we need to talk about this.”
“No, we don’t. What is there to say? I’m sorry. It shouldn’t have happened. It was ahorrible mistake.”
“Then why didn’t it feel like one?”
She couldn’t answer that, not even privately to herself. If she did, she feared her entire life would unravel. “It never happened. Do you hear me? It never happened and it will never happen again. Please, Tobias, don’t tell Garret. I want to marry him. I love him. Don’t ruin our future together because of one moment of insanity.”
“Was it—”
“I have to go. Goodbye, Tobias.”
Chapter 16
GARRET WHISTLEDas he waited outside Gram’s condo. The sun was setting outside, and for the first time in ages he’d exited the hospital when it was technically still daylight.
The door opened and even though he hadn’t been to The Village to visit much in at least two years, Gram didn’t seem surprised to see him for the fourth night in a row. He and Darcy had played cards, watched movies, talked about everything from UFC Fighting to deep-sea fishing and helped with Bingo night downstairs. It was the most fun he’d had in years.
“Well, don’t just stand there, come in,” Gram ordered.
A burst of laughter filled the air and he frowned.Nick?Garret crossed the threshold and sure enough there sat Nick and his son, Matt, with Darcy around a table full of food.
“Garret, you’re just in time.” Darcy’s cheeks colored with a pretty blush. “Are you hungry?” She scooted back her chair to stand.
“No, dear, you sit. I’ll get my grandson a plate and something to drink.” Gram pulled out the chair opposite Nick on her way to the kitchen.
“Thanks, Gram.” Garret nodded at Nick and turned his attention to his nephew. “Hey, Matt. Wow, look at you. You’ve grown two feet since I saw you last.”
