Page 56 of Stars Shine In Your Eyes

She smiled at both of them. “Wow. Of everything I thought might happen today, I never saw this coming.”

Mari’s phone rang, and after a glance she said, “It’s my book editor. I really need to take this. I swear I don’t mean to pressure you, but whenever you make your decision, let me know.” She gave Josie a hug and dashed off.

Josie sat on an antique painted bench that Fiona had brought over for the garden. “I am floored by this. Move here? Sure, there’s been a part of me the entire time I’ve been here that was dreaming of it. But actually making it a reality? I don’t know what to think.”

He sat beside her, knowing that he should give her time and space to process. But he couldn’t keep the words from spilling out. “Stay, and we won’t end at two weeks.”

Her head whipped around so she could face him. “What? What did you just say?”

He took both of her hands in his and drew her closer on the bench. “Let’s try. Let’s try to make this be real. A real relationship, not just a two-week fling. If you’re going to live here, then don’t you think we’re worth a shot?”

She looked at him as though she couldn’t believe what he was saying. “What have you done with Malcolm Sullivan? When we first decided to have the fling, you made it totally clear that you had no interest in a real, permanent relationship.”

“I know, and I meant it then. But things have changed.”

“What has changed?”

A part of him had assumed that when he told her he wanted to have a real relationship, she would jump at it. Instead, she was questioning him. Almost as though she was questioning his sanity.

“Being with you, that’s what has changed things. Every moment we spend together… I love it. I love being with you.” He’d never said those words to anyone else. Because he’d never felt what he felt for Josie. He’d never loved being with anyone the way he loved being with her.

“I love being with you too,” she said softly. “But I don’t want either of us to make a hasty decision just because my career and living plans might be changing.”

“Why not? Why not take the risk?”

She stared at him, and he knew that she was mulling over the question, thinking about her answer. “Because I’ve been hurt before. Badly. I swore I wasn’t going to get involved with anyone again. That even our fling wasn’t going to move into any kind of emotional territory where I would end up hurt.”

“Did that work?” He studied her face, realizing that her answer mattered. Deeply mattered. “Were you able to keep things with me from becoming emotional?”

She shook her head. “No. I haven’t been able to do that.”

He couldn’t hold back his smile. “Then jump with me, Josie. I know you’ve been hurt. I don’t want to hurt you, not the way he hurt you. I care about you. More than I’ve ever cared for anyone, apart from my family.”

He released her hands to cradle her face. “Be mine. For real.”

Then he kissed her. Kissed her with all the emotion he felt, kissed her with all the passion she inspired, kissed her because it was what he wanted to do all day long and all night.

When he finally let them draw back for air, he had to know. “So, what do you say?” He couldn’t give her even the rudimentary amount of breathing room that Mari was giving her to make her decision. He had to know.

“If I stay…” She licked her lips, still looking a little uncertain. “Yes. I’m willing to try. I’m willing to trust you.”

He kissed her again, a kiss of pure joy, a kiss that felt like all of his dreams had come true.

A throat was cleared behind them. “Sorry to interrupt,” Alice said, “but I have that huge flat of flowers in the van I was planning to plant this morning before I head off to work. And I need some help bringing it all out.”

Josie laughed, her cheeks flushed. “Of course.” She jumped up and gave his sister a hug.

“Good morning.” Malcolm kissed his sister on both cheeks as well.

Alice had one hand, clad in a gardening glove, on her hip. “So, I assume you two are out in the open now?” she asked. “Or am I supposed to pretend I didn’t see that?”

Malcolm was the first to reply. “You don’t have to pretend anything. We’re together. In a proper relationship.” He felt proud saying the words. They felt right. Telling Alice felt right.

Alice’s eyebrows went up. “That’s great news. Everyone is going to be so thrilled!”

Josie looked surprised to hear that. “Why?”

Alice laughed. “Are you joking? All of us think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Malcolm. Everyone from Gran to Aria have been wishing and hoping and praying that the two of you would get together.” Then something occurred to her. “Can I spill the beans? Or should I let you two do it?”

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