Page 52 of How You See Me (You and Me Duology #2)

“It’s a long story. I couldn’t risk him talking me out of it.”

Mom looks between us, worry rippling through her wringing hands, but she recovers quickly and welcomes Josie with open arms. “I’m so glad he didn’t. Can I hug you?”

Josie’s giggle surges through the room, dulling the awkward pulse bouncing between me and my family.

“We brought art stuff.” Ava tugs at Josie’s shirt. “Will you paint with me?”

“I’d love to.”

◆◆◆

All the excitement wears out Ava, and she falls asleep while we wash brushes hours later. I even got in on the painting—if you can call a giraffe that could have passed for a lopsided tree “art.”

She laughed at my lack of artistic talent so hard she snorted, which made her cough, then made her laugh again once the fit passed.

Her breathing is lighter now, shallow but steady.

The monitors beep in rhythm with the rise and fall of her chest. She’s found peace.

And for the first time in days, so have I.

Outside, dusk slants through the windows, the sun’s last blush coloring the sky orange and violet. It lightens everything intangible in the room, lessening our burdens.

Mom drops the last takeout container from dinner in the trash on her way to us at the sink. She holds up a set of car keys .

“Why don’t you two get out of here and enjoy each other? Your dad and I will sit with her tonight.”

My eyes ping pong between her and Josie as I fight that familiar need to clone myself.

I want to be here with Ava, but I also don’t want to waste this precious time with Josie either.

She brought joy into this room—and me—just by walking in.

Being with her isn’t only a want. It’s a need at this point.

Mom reads my thoughts. “Ava would tell you the same thing.”

Josie flashes that irresistible grin of hers, the one that tips everything inside me forward.

“Okay. But I’ll be back before she wakes up in the morning.”

“You’ll get here when you get here after taking Josie to the airport like a gentleman." She winks. “The extra house key is there, too.”

I bite back a cringe. Doesn’t matter how old I am, getting permission from my mother to take advantage of an empty house with my girlfriend will never be short of awkward.

A snicker escapes Josie’s lips as she turns back to the soapy water.

When the last brush is cleaned, we say goodbye. Ava’s sleeping too soundly to know we’re leaving, but I kiss her forehead anyway. Then, we’re out, practically jogging toward the parking garage like a couple of kids dodging curfew .

“Where to, Haysie?” she teases, leaning into me, her fingers linking with mine as if they never left.

“Can I show you something?”

“Always.”

◆◆◆

Minutes later, I veer off the main road and park at the edge of a clearing. The headlights sweep over a wildflower field in full bloom—yellow, white, and blue buds scatter like confetti across the grass.

“I saw this on the way in,” I tell her, parking the car. “It reminded me of the concert field.”

“I love it.”

We weave through the tall grass, hand in hand. Josie plucks flowers along the way until she's collected a tiny bouquet. When we reach a slow-moving creek, I hold her close and memorize the feel of being whole again. How my bones finally stop humming and relax. And all it took was holding her.

“I don’t want to say goodbye to you a second time."

She looks up at me in that way I adore, eyes already shining.

“I know you have to go back,” I continue, taking the bunch of flowers from her fingers and sliding them into her hair above her ear. “And this isn’t the last time we’ll be together, but—”

“I don’t want to say goodbye either.”

“I need to tell you something."

Her eyebrows lift. “What is it? ”

Taking her hand, I guide her down to the grass. We sit facing each other, the scent of earth and wildflowers wrapping us in a calming peace. “I plan to submit my retirement paperwork on Monday.”

“Hayes.” Her voice catches. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything.” I search her face, hoping she sees in mine how much I mean it.

“All I can think about is spending every minute with you and Ava. I want to give her more nieces and nephews to love and dream up new adventures with. I want to live again and sleep under the stars and go on adventures . . . with you.”

A stunned grin tips the corners of her lips. “I want that, too.”

“Good.”

“Can we seal it with a kiss? It seems like that’s the next logical—”

I don’t wait. My body crashes against hers, pushing her gently onto her back in the grass.

I pull back just enough to enjoy the view of her in the fading light, her long hair splayed out among the flowers.

That love in her eyes burrows deep into my soul and mends the jagged pieces.

I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.

“I love you, Josie Jones.”

Her hands cup my face. “I love you, Hayes Montgomery. Now, kiss me before I explode.”

“Oh, I plan to do a hell of a lot more than that for . . .” I check my watch. “The next nine hours. ”

“It won’t be enough,” she says, dragging me down to her, “but I’m all yours. Tonight. Tomorrow.” She kisses me. “And forever.”