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Josh brought the back of Kitty’s hand to his lips, holding it there as if contemplating his next words.

“I suppose we need to talk,” he said eventually.

Kitty looked at Josh, the smile falling from her lips. Was this the moment where it all went wrong? She had to tell him what she’d done with Daniel.

She nodded and slowly slid off him. Once he’d disposed of the condom in the waste bin next to the bed, Josh turned back over and pulled Kitty’s body into his, spooning her from behind, one large hand holding onto hers.

Kitty took a deep breath. “Whatever this is, whatever happens, I have to tell you how much, how much—”

“I know,” Josh said quietly, kissing the inside of her wrist. “I love you too.”

Kitty felt as if her heart would explode with happiness. If he loved her, then she had a chance to make him understand.

“So, what now?” she asked.

“So, let’s have that talk,” he said, caressing her arm with his fingers. “One question each. You go first.”

Kitty closed her eyes, trying to block the memory of the disastrous night at the party. “I didn’t kiss Daniel back at Patricia’s. Why didn’t you believe me?” she asked.

Josh took a deep breath.

“Because I’m an idiot. I’ve been racing around, terrified at the thought of getting everything I want and then losing it. Perhaps it was easy for me to believe you wanted Daniel. That way, I wouldn’t have to face my fears. But I’ve been so scared of being hurt that I only hurt myself. Hurt you.”

“We all run away,” Kitty said, stroking her thumb across his. “I’ve spent most of my adult life running away. From my feelings and my insecurities. But all I did was create my own prison.”

“Your job?” Josh asked.

Kitty nodded.

“Well, it’s time I stopped running,” he said. “I need to let go of some old baggage and start living again.”

“How are you going to do that?” asked Kitty.

“I’m going to give someone very special my heart and hope she looks after it.”

Kitty smiled and squeezed his hand.

“She will.”

Now was the moment of truth. Kitty owed him a question. And an explanation.

“Your turn,” she said.

“Were you and Daniel ever seeing each other? He hinted that you were.” The rigid tension in Josh’s body pressed against her as he waited for her answer.

“Not in the way you think. Our hanging out might have looked like we were dating, but that’s not what happened. If I’m honest, I used him. Strung him along. He charmed me and made me feel special, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” Josh’s body relaxed a little behind her, and his feet entwined with hers. “But I did kiss him. Let him touch me. Not at the party, but before that.”

Josh took a breath, held it down in his lungs, and slowly let it out.

“I have no excuses,” said Kitty. “I could say that I was confused with how you were acting, blowing hot and cold. I could tell you how Daniel dazzled me. But, at the end of the day, I let my fears control me. What he offered was so easy, so convenient. What you offer is so much more.”

Josh kissed the top of her shoulder, his warm lips sending a scattering of goosebumps over her skin.

“At the party, he told me you wouldn’t put me first, that you’d never be there for me. You didn’t come, and I was confused by his words, and then he kissed me. I knew you’d seen it when I saw the wildflowers you’d brought, but you wouldn’t wait to hear me out.”

Josh’s lips found Kitty’s neck, his warm breath tickling her skin as he turned her around in his arms.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I’ve wanted you for the longest time. If I’d had the guts to show you, none of that would have happened.”