Page 64 of The Dallas Dilemma

My heart explodes in my chest as a laugh barks out of me. We lunge for each other simultaneously, wrapping our arms around each other tightly. She snuggles into my chest for a long moment before lifting her face toward mine. I feel her rise up on her tiptoes, and I bend to meet her halfway.

Our lips meet, and the sweetest feeling of relief courses through my veins. We kiss like that for a few seconds, our lips melding as the world rights itself for both of us.

When Josette pulls back, I loosen my grip but hold onto her so she can’t go too far. She twists her fists in the hem of my shirt, holding on tightly as she smiles up at me.

“How did you know I was here? I mean, how did you know where Callie lives?”

“Royal,” I say. “I was driving around, looking for your car like an idiot, and I ended up calling him. He told me you were here and gave me the address. You’re not upset with him, are you? I know you wanted some space, but I was going crazy when I couldn’t find you.”

“I’m not mad,” she says, her eyes shining brightly. “I was on my way to find you when you showed up.”

“Good,” I say, then cock my head. “I do have a question, though.”

“What is it?”

“I know you didn’t figure everything out until Sunday, so why didn’t you ever tell me to call you Joey like everyone else does? I’m the only person who calls you Josette, right?”

She blushes hotly, her eyes dipping down before lifting back up to meet my gaze. “I like the way you say my name.”

Pride and heat mingle in my chest, and I nod. “Then I’ll keep calling you Josette.”

“Good,” she says with a grin despite her cheeks burning even brighter. Then her expression grows serious. “I’m sorry I ran out on you. I was just freaking out. I thought that you wouldn’t want to be with me if you knew the truth about me being JoeyB. I was talking to Callie about it when it hit me. You’ve known for days,and you didn’t call me out. You gave me the time and space I needed without complaining or making me feel bad. You let me keep my secret until I was ready to talk about it.”

“Or until I lost my head with lust and called you ‘Joey’ like an idiot,” I cut in with a smile.

“The point is,” she says, grinning back at me, “you didn’t leave. My fear was baseless. And I was finally ready to be brave.”

“You’re always brave,” I say. “You face situations that make you uncomfortable every day, Josette. I’m in awe of you.”

“I…” she says, then swallows thickly. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

Oh, yeah. She’s brave as hell.

“I love you, too,” I say. “I’ve been falling since the day we met, and finding out you’ve been JoeyB all along only sealed the deal. I love every part of you, Josette Barnes. Every. Single. Part.”

We kiss again, and this time, she parts her lips to invite me inside. My tongue slips through, brushing against hers in the most tender of ways, and a moan rumbles in her chest. I kiss her for a few moments more, then gently pull back.

“We should go home before this goes any further,” I whisper, then peck my lips against hers.

“That sounds like a great idea,” she whispers, kissing me back. “Let’s go,Jerry Maguire.”

I laugh at that, then hug her tightly against me before taking a step back so she can head for the door. I watchher go, and I bask in the hope that fills my chest. This is the beginning of a brilliant and glorious future. I can feel it.

Josette Ophelia Barnes is my person, and I’m hers. We love each other, respect and trust each other, and that’s all we’lleverneed.

EPILOGUE

Joey

One Year Later…

DFW@BodaciousBuckaroo211

She said yes! #marryme #futurewifey

189 ?87 ?321

JoeyB@JoeVSVolcano

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