Page 54 of The Sweet Talker
“Josie, I want to be honest. I liked you from the second you yelled at me.”
Embarrassment floods me. “Sorry, I was having a bad day and never should have taken it out on you.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I understand.” He rubs his thumb over my hand. “The challenge with Declan was stupid and immature. He might have picked you, but you’re the only girl I ever would have picked to be beside me, now and…forever.”
“Forever?” I ask, and swallow.
“When I found out about your late husband’s message, I…I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to give you the phone but didn’t want you to hate me, or think I tricked you in some way. I don’t blame you for thinking that. Last night, the phone was in my pocket because I planned to confess. You see, Josie, I fell in love with you. Everything we did, said, and shared…it was real for me. When I told you I was falling for you, I meant it. It wasn’t about sweet talking you into a date.” A big hiccupping sob catches in my throat. “I didn’t open your phone. Fate brought us together, because we’re very much alike. We like the same things, want the same things.”
“What do you want, Brody?”
“I want you. I want Mabel. I want us. I want a future.” He squeezes my hands. “What do you want?”
I stand, brushing snow from my pajamas, the cold seeping into my bones. I hold the bag out. “You dropped this and left. Now you’re back. Was it all about the hat?”
He shakes his head. “I went to my car. I was convinced that if I hurt you like that, you were better off without me and then I realized I was wrong.”
“You were?”
“Yes. There isn’t a man in the world who is going to worship you the way I will, Josie. I’m the man for you and while I made a stupid mistake, I plan to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
“I made a mistake too.” I turn from him and open the door.
“Josie, please,” he says his voice full of fear and pain.
I glance at him over my shoulder. “Are you going to sit on the ground all day or come inside?”
He blows out a relieved breath, and Mabel barks as he pushes to his feet. We all go inside. Silence surrounds us as we step into the living room. “I made a mistake when I told you I never wanted to see you again. You’re a good guy, Brody. I should have believed in you.”
“What do you want, Josie?” he asks, the tree lights falling over him, creating a warmth and coziness.
I gesture to the small present under the tree. “I think you’ll understand when you open that.”
He slowly tears his gaze away from me, and picks up the present. “What is it?”
“Open it.”
He rips into the paper and finds a small box. He pulls the lid off, and a smile lights up his face as understanding dawns. “A key to your—”
“Heart.”
He smiles, pulling me to him.
“And to my place, of course,” I add with a laugh. “Brody, I love you. I never thought I’d love again. Never thought I should or could, but you busted that notion all apart, helped me heal and brought me back to life. I thank you for that.” Mabel barks like she’s thankful too. “I’ve never had a long-distance relationship, and I don’t know what the future holds, but all I know is I want to do it with you.”
“Josie, I always embraced life, but until you I never knew what living really meant. I’ve never done a long-distance relationship either, or any relationship. I’m doing a lot of things I’ve never done before. We both are, but I’m not afraid because it’s you I’m doing them with, and will figure things out day by day.” He laughs. “Oh my God, that was right out of a Hallmark movie, wasn’t it? Do I have to cash in my man card now?”
I laugh, nodding as I snuggle in and breathe in his warmth. I put my hand on his chest, revel in the strength of his heart as it beats beneath my hand. I’m happy. For the first time in a long time, I’m happy.
“I’m pretty sure we can figure out something better to do with your man card.”
He laughs, light and joyous, as he scoops me into his arms, Mabel prancing around us, and barking with happiness. “Look at that, we really do like and want the same things.” His lips find mine. “I love you, Josie. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Brody, and I love you too.”
His grin is wicked. “Show me.”
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