Page 44 of Thick & Thin

“Shit. I’m sorry,” he breathed against my neck. “I’ve never lost control like that.”

“I’m on the pill,” I reassured him.

“That was …” he started.

“Amazing,” I finished.

I felt him grin against my neck. Then he leaned back and looked down at me. “I love you, Jenny.”

I swallowed, emotion clogging my throat and making me feel like I was going to choke. “I love you too.”

“No. I mean, I’ve fallen in love with you. I’ve always loved you, but this is different.”

I smiled and nodded the best I could with my head against the seat. “I know. Me too.”

Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay there in the moment. Josh had to get back for out processing. He helped me dress and fixed his clothes before we got out of the truck and back into the night air.

“I hope I’m back home before you leave for Texas,” he said.

I wasn’t about to let the awkward come back. I moved closer to him and hugged him around the waist. “Me too. You need to get back. Call me when you can?”

He pulled back and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “I miss you already.”

And then he leaned in and kissed me once more.

“Go before I keep you,” I said again his mouth as I pushed against his chest.

He chuckled.

“I’ll call you the second I can. Be careful driving home. And Jenny …”

“Yeah?”

“I meant it when I said I love you.”

My heart bloomed.

“I meant it too.”

We hugged once more before he quickly jogged across the parking lot. I got inside and cranked the truck, but I didn’t leave until I could no longer see him.

I had given myself to Josh, and it felt as though he had given himself to me. It wasn’t the best time since we couldn’t really talk it through, but it still felt like the perfect moment. It happened at the right time with the right person.

Josh was the one.

He would always be the one.

14

Josh

Advanced individual trainingwas more casual, and I was given more phone time, but it seemed Jenny was busier now that I wasn’t. She was preparing for her move to Texas and dealing with school stuff. I couldn’t complain because I understood what she was going through just as she understood me being busy.

Four weeks later, I graduated from advanced individual training. I was excited to get a brief break and go home to see Jenny and my family. Jenny hadn’t left for school yet, which meant I was going to get a week with her before she left for Texas.

My excitement was shattered the following day as I was checking out of my unit. I picked up my cell and called Jenny before I even called my parents. The phone rang twice before she answered.

“Hey, you!” she sang into my ear. “Today’s the day! I can’t wait to see you!”

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