Page 29 of You Rock My World
Triumph brightens his face as he smiles, but it’s the relief in his eyes that rasps against my rib cage, demanding to be let in.
“I’ll take it.” He beckons me. “Come on, we can raid the fridge and eat outside.”
I hope the fridge is the only thing he plans to raid because my heart can’t withstand the assault.
18
DORIAN
I walk at a lazy pace as I lead Josie downstairs, prolonging my quiet elation that she agreed to stay. She’s here. With me. A little less guarded perhaps now that we’re alone. And we’re having lunch. We’ll finally talk—and not about my divorce.
In the kitchen, Josie perches on a stool by the island, her fingers absentmindedly toying with the hem of her dress. The midday sun spills through the windows, catching the lighter strands in her hair and the golden flecks in her eyes.
It’s the first time I’ve seen her a bit more relaxed since stepping back into my life. The guarded expression on her face has eased, and I want to keep her like this forever, untethered from the outside world and its responsibilities.
Crossing to the fridge, I tug open the stainless-steel door, cool air whooshing over my face as I grab what we need for sandwiches: turkey, cheese, veggies, and a jar of mayonnaise. I spread the ingredients on the island next to a cutting board and pluck a chef’s knife from the magnetic holder in the corner.
“Do you prefer tomato duty or mayo spreading?”
Josie’s lips quirk. “What, no personal chef today?”
“Nah, it’s Alfred’s day off.” I shrug, trying for nonchalance when I’m feeling anything but. I sent the entire staff home, hoping for a chance to look a little more… normal in Josie’s eyes. “Figured we could handle a couple of sandwiches on our own.”
“Oh, I see, that’s why you asked me to stay. You needed the manual labor!” Josie teases.
I grin, handing her the sliced bread. “I had my heart set more on the company.”
The words slip out, uncontrolled.Shit.
I check her reaction.
Josie blinks at me, but she recovers quickly and reaches for the mayo. “I’ll spread, you cut.”
I nod, smiling as I busy myself with slicing the tomatoes. We work in companionable silence, layering meat, cheese, and veggies onto the bread. It’s such a simple, mundane task, but doing it with Josie sets a wonderful warmth burning behind my breastbone.
When the sandwiches are assembled, I grab a pitcher of water, fill it with ice at the fridge, and pick up two glasses from the cabinet while Josie carries our plates. On our way out of the kitchen, I make a quick detour to the hall closet to snag a blanket.
Outside, the sun is shining, bright but not too hot for a meal in the garden. Josie starts in the direction of the patio tables by the pool, but I stop her.
“Do you mind a change of scenery? There’s a spot I want to show you. Best view from the property.” I nod toward the lawn. “If it’s okay to eat on the grass.”
Josie’s gaze darts from me to the plush expanse of green, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Wow, we’re really roughing it, huh?”
I grin back at her, exaggerating an eye roll. “Relax, it’s artisanal grass. Hand-trimmed. Very exclusive.”
She laughs at that, and it strikes somewhere low in my chest, spreading more heat that coils tight in my stomach.
Swallowing past the sudden dryness in my mouth, I lead the way across the garden. Josie trails behind me. Her steps are light, but the sound carries over, reassuring me I’m not dreaming. The yard slopes downward as we move away from the pool, heading toward a shaded patch framed by a line of old sycamores.
I set the pitcher and glasses on the lawn and flick the blanket open, spreading it over the grass. Straightening, I catch Josie pausing, plates in hand, her gaze lost on the horizon.
It’s the same view I’ve admired countless times, but today, it feels clearer because she’s here. The rolling hills stretch before us, houses tucked discreetly among the trees, their rooftops catching shards of sunlight. Beyond them, the city opens up, a shimmering grid of glass and movement. The downtown skyline rises faint and distant, softened by a golden haze.
“I’ve always appreciated how North Beverly Park feels both connected and apart from the world.” I watch Josie’s profile as she takes the view in. “High enough to keep the chaos at bay, but not so far as to feel detached.”
She turns to me then, her eyes shining with wonder. “It’s beautiful, Dorian.”
Say my name again. Say it a million times. Whisper it, moan it, scream it.
