Page 163 of Twisted Collide

Sherry answers the door with a large smile on her face. “Dane? Was Robert expecting you? He’s not here.”

“I’m actually not here to see Robert.”

“Checking in on Josie again?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“She’s in her room resting, but if you want to go up there . . .”

“I’ll do that.”

She steps out of the way, and I walk into the house and show myself to the room upstairs where Josephine is staying. I rap my knuckles on the door.

“Come in.”

I take a step in and see Josephine sitting up in the bed. She looks so small among the giant fluffy pillows andlarge bed. It makes me want to scoop her into my arms and tell her I’ll never let anything hurt her again, including myself.

“You’re back.” She tries to hide her excitement, but her eyes give her away. They shine brighter than usual.

I lean against the doorjamb. “That I am.”

Her nose twitches, and I have to hand it to her. She’s trying really hard not to smile, but there’s no hiding it. She’s happy I’m here.Thank fuck.

“Let me guess . . . more groveling?” she asks with the most serious face she can muster.

“I won’t stop until you tell me you love me.” I shrug. That’s the plan, at least. “Want to know why? Because I love you, Hellfire, and I’ll keep telling you until you believe me.”

“Interesting angle.”

“It’s the only angle I have. I’ll be here today, tomorrow, and every day until you smile at me and tell me I didn’t fuck up the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“I want to, but I have a hard time—”

“I know. You can’t trust me yet . . .yetbeing the operative word. But you will. I’ll make myself worthy of your trust.”

“Don’t you have a game to play?”

“I do, but I wanted to stop by first and check in on you.”

I close the distance until I’m standing next to her bed, then point at the bed. Even though she let me sit with her yesterday, I still need her to give me the go-ahead. “Can I?”

She scoots over, leaving a free space.

I take a seat, then incline my head in her direction. “What’s on tap for today’s grovel?”

Her hand reaches out, and she rummages through the sheets. “Well, since you asked, today, I’m making Pinterest boards.”

“You’re doing what?”

She pulls her hand out, now clutching her phone. Her finger moves over the screen until she finds the app she’s looking for, then she points the phone in my direction.

“Making boards. Like online, I have boards where I have outfit inspos, favorite recipes, things like that.”

“Interesting.”

Not really, but I’ll never admit that. If this makes my girl happy, then it’s the best thing in the world.

She shrugs. “I think so.”

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