Page 169 of Twisted Collide

But this time, two charms are hanging from it.

Dane holds it out, and I take it in my hand, lifting it to look at what he added.

It’s a small disc, and it appears that there are tiny letters or maybe symbols etched into the metal.

“What does it say?”

He shakes his head. “When the time is right, I’ll tell you.”

75

JOSIE

Time hasa way of moving fast when you don’t want it to.

It’s been two weeks since I fell. My ankle is healed, and my concussion is no longer an issue either. While I should be happy, and I am, of course, I’m also disappointed that Dane won’t need to visit me as much.

Now that I’m officiallyhealed, I can move back into the guesthouse again, and although I know Dane will still want to see me, he won’t feel obligated to come over and “grovel.”

Since I’m feeling one hundred percent better, I know where I’m going, and where I’m going is to watch the Saints play.

It’s a home game, and I texted Molly to tell her I’m coming with Sherry.

“Thanks for coming with me,” I say from the passenger seat as she drives us toward the arena.

“Are you kidding me? I’m delighted you asked me. Robert is always on me to go to a game, and I always say no.”

“You do?”

“Yep, gotta keep them on their toes. That’s my motto,” Sherry says as she makes a right turn, going in the direction of the arena.

“That’s funny. How long have you guys been together?”

“Seventeen years.”

“Wow, really, that’s a long time.” The idea of a couple being together brings me hope. My mother never had boyfriends. Never brought any men into our house at all. I always assumed it was because of me, but now after everything, I understand it was to protect me. Being a parent must be hard. I pivot to look at her while she drives, my brain going a million miles a minute until I finally ask the question that has been on my mind for some time.

“You never thought about having kids?”

She shakes her head. “We tried, but it never happened.”

“Sorry,” I mumble under my breath.Foot meet mouth.I’m well aware you’re never supposed to ask a woman about kids, but apparently, my curiosity won out.

“It’s okay. I have everything I need . . . and that includes you, Josie. I want us to be a family. You, me, your father, and even your mom. Think you’d want that?”

My throat feels tight and my tongue heavy.

These are words I’ve always wanted to hear, and now I’ve heard them from more people than I ever imagined. The car around me blurs. From the dashboard to the window, everything becomes fuzzy with my unshed tears.

“I’d like that.” As I blink away the water collecting, my cheeks grow damp.

Is this what it’s like to get everything you’ve ever wanted?

I think it is.

I’m a little late,but that’s okay. I hurry to my seat but can’t find Dane’s number on the ice. Looking toward the penalty box, I spot him. With a quick glance at the board, I see that he has thirty seconds left in his penalty. Dropping my gaze, I try to catch hisattention, my arm lifting in the air. It’s as if he knows I’m here because his head tilts up, and our eyes lock. Instantly, his demeanor changes, and a smirk pulls at his lips.

I can’t help but smile too.

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