Page 143 of Mistaken Intention

“But I can’t pack everything… not now.”

“I know, and you don’t have to. We can come back another day and take care of most of it. I just want you to bring enough with you to convince me you’re gonna stay.”

I rest my head on his shoulder. “I’m gonna stay, Drew. If it makes you feel better, I’ll even sell my apartment.”

He leans back into the seat and places his finger beneath my chin, making me look up into his beautiful face. “You will?”

“Yeah. I was gonna sell it anyway, after I left town, so…”

He bends his head, touching his lips to mine, and then deepens the kiss, our tongues meeting in a heartfelt dance, until the sound of Hunter’s deliberate cough breaks us apart.

“Did someone mention packing?”

Hunter and Drew took my bags upstairs the moment we got back, and left them in Drew’s dressing room. I’ll unpack them later… or maybe tomorrow, or the next day. It doesn’t feel like there’s any rush now, and that’s just as well, because I’m exhausted, emotionally, as well as physically.

Hunter waved away my thanks before he left, and then put his arm around Drew’s shoulders, walking him out through the front door. I can hear them talking in whispers, although I can’t make out what they’re saying and I stand still, waiting, wishing Drew would come back in.

I know it sounds pathetic, but even though he’s held me all the way back here, I feel lost without him. I need the reassurance of his arms and his kisses and his words. More than anything, I need him to tell me his memories are real, to give me hope that it’s all coming back to him… that our past and our future can merge, rather than colliding.

I jump at the sound of the door closing and turn to see Drew standing there, the two of us alone at last.

“What was that about?” I ask.

“Hunter was just reminding me to be kind to you.” He walks over, taking my hand and leading me to the couch, where he sits, pulling me down beside him. “Not that I needed reminding.”

I’m relieved to hear that. I’m feeling a little bruised after today, and I think I’d like to be bathed in kindness for a while.

He pulls me into his arms and I rest against him, although he quickly lets out a sigh.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“You’re not close enough.”

He shifts down the couch, turning onto his back, and lifts me up on top of him. I lie out and he brings his arms around me, letting one hand rest on my ass.

“Is that better?”

“Much,” he says. “I need you close. All the time.” I nestle against him and he holds on just a little tighter. “Do you need anything?” he asks, in a drunken-sounding whisper.

“Just you.”

He kisses the top of my head. “That’s good to know… but I meant food, or drink. Are you hungry?”

“I probably should be, but I’m too tired to care.”

“Hmm… I know the feeling. I was just saying to Hunter, I’m gonna leave meeting Maisie until tomorrow now.”

I lean up, looking down at him. “You are? I—I assumed you’d have met her earlier.”

“No. I went for a walk… like I said I would. Then I went back to Hunter, loaded with questions, which he answered, and then we talked about Maisie. I told him how nervous I am about being a father, and…”

“You’re nervous?” I can’t believe I’m hearing this.

“Yes,” he says. “Suddenly discovering you have a child is a strange sensation.”

I lower my head. “Hmm… one you wouldn’t have to be experiencing if I hadn’t kept her from you.”

He clasps my chin, raising my face to his. “We’re not going through all that again, Josie… especially not now. We’re both too tired.”

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