Page 81 of Between Here and There

His words register in my brain, and for a moment, we just stare at each other.

I want to hug him. Or kiss him. Or do anything to make him know that he’s been the anchor holding me firmly. The voice in my head that pushed me to do what I did. But I don’t. Instead, I say, “Thank you.”

He smiles at me in quiet understanding.

“So, anyway,” I say, desperate to break the tension, “What do you want for dinner? I can make something.”

Josh grins, the intensity in his eyes softening. “Actually, I want to take you somewhere.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Where?”

“A secret spot,” he says, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s where I go when life gets overwhelming. No one’s ever been there with me before.”

“And you’re taking me?” I tease, crossing my arms. “I’m honored.”

“Of course I’m taking you. You’re…” He pauses, his expression shifting like he’s about to say something pivotal. But then he shakes his head, his trademark grin returning. “My friend.”

My heart sinks a little, and I hate that it does.

He turns away to grab his keys, and I follow him out the door, trying to ignore the ache in my chest, which is there because I know I’m lying to myself.

The thought of Josh being ‘just a friend’ feels like trying to cram my heart into a box that’s way too small. No matter how hard I try, it’s not going to fit. Not anymore.

CHAPTER FORTY

Joshua

Emily changed into more comfortable clothing: a pair of wide jeans, a red cable-knit sweater, and white sneakers. Her hair is up in a bun, and her face is stripped of all make-up. Even after all this time, her beauty still catches me off guard. But it’s more than that now. It’s also the way she carries herself, the quiet confidence beneath the surface.

I glance at her one more time as we walk, her footsteps audible against the uneven West Village sidewalk. I’m holding our takeout so we can eat later. Her curiosity is practically radiating off her, but she’s trying to play it cool as always.

“Josh,” she calls, dodging a puddle on the sidewalk. “Are we almost there, or is this part of your plan to walk me to exhaustion?”

I grin, looking at her. “Patience, Emily. Good things come to those who wait.”

She shakes her head. “Nope, good things come to those who do something about it.”

I nod in agreement, and she just follows me as we continue walking. Finally, we stop in front of an unassuming building with a sign that says ‘Bowen Art Enterprise.’

“Here? An… office?” she asks, blinking at the small gate, clearly unimpressed.

“Not just here,” I say with a chuckle. “Follow me.” We enter the office building, and the guards greet us. Emily’s still looking confused as we board the elevators to the top floor. She crosses her arms and looks at me with raised eyebrows. I simply wink at her, and she rolls her eyes, but a smile is playing on her lips.

As the doors open, we’re met by a dark hallway. I walk into it, and Emily follows suit. We reach the glass doors, and a discreet sign that says ‘Jefferson Rooftop Garden’ comes to view.

I take a key out of my pocket and open the door. Her eyes widen.

“You have a key to a rooftop garden?” she exclaims.

I shrug. “I may have done a favor for the caretaker once or twice.”

“This is officially the coolest thing about you,” she says.

“Coolest? You mean there are other cool things about me?” I say. “Please, do tell.”

“Shut up,” she says with a chuckle. I turn on the light switch. The space comes alive all at once. String lights are draped between trees and trellises, casting a glow over the stone pathways and garden beds. The air is filled with the fragrance of blooming roses and lavender, mingling with the earthy scent of damp soil. A small fountain bubbles in the corner, the sound soothing against the backdrop of distant city noise that seems so much further away now.

As I close the door behind us, the city disappears entirely.

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