Page 37 of A Moment for Us

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I pay Jennie, and she winks at me. Great, so much for keeping gossip to a minimum. When I get outside, Josh is leaning against my door.

Steeling myself from making a fool of myself, I walk over. “Excuse me.”

He moves, but his fingers wrap around my forearm. “I meant what I said.”

“I know you did. So did I.”

His thumb rubs the sensitive skin of my wrist. “What now?”

I look up into those blue eyes, hating that he can’t just love me. It would make it so easy. We’d be happy, I would give him my heart, and I would care for his in every way. Something changed Josh years ago, and I am not going to break down the walls he’s ensured are thick.

“Now, we’re at an impasse. It’s up to you whether we can ever bridge it.”

* * *

“What the hell is your deal?” Ronyelle asks as she walks into my office.

“Umm, what the hell is yours?”

“You haven’t said a word about your love life, and I’ve been left wondering for the last month.”

I laugh. “I have no love life.”

“Fine. Sex life.”

“I thought you didn’t want to know?” I ask, leaning away from the reports.

“I don’t.”

I raise one brow. “Really?”

“This is me, asking you, for your benefit. I imagine you haven’t told Jessica you’re sleeping with her brother-in-law, so I’ll be your best friend for this.”

“How kind of you.” I love her.

“That is what I am. Kindness incarnate. Now, spill it. Are you still sleeping with Josh or have you gotten your head on right?”

It’s clear she still feels that it was a mistake. Should make this conversation fun.

“We did . . . a few more times, but I’m done.”

“You’re done? Or is he done?”

I sigh, shaking my head. “I’m done. I was stupid, you were right.”

“I know I was right, but I’m curious what, exactly, I was right about.”

“I am not very good at pretending I don’t love him while having incredible sex.”

“No shit. Did you really think otherwise?”

“I tried to.”

Ronyelle grins. “Well, what made you see the light?”

The fact that we had an incident and I threw down the truth and Josh is avoiding it.

“I realized I deserve someone who loves me back.”

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