Page 52 of Just My Type (The Boston Hearts #3)
“I understand,” Jo says, voice laced with emotion.
“It’s been home for me since the very first time I laid eyes on the Wyles’ house.
Obviously, it’s home because for me, home is wherever Jordan is.
But it’s so much more than that. It’s my place.
My most favorite place on earth. And now that you’re there, it’s even better. ”
I think about everything that has happened since I set foot in Boston.
My writing. My book deal. Feeling like myself again, for the first time in years.
Friends. Family. More fun than I’ve had in my life.
And my sunshine boy, there at every turn.
“I’m staying,” I say firmly. “No matter what happens between Noah and me, I’m staying in Boston. ”
Jo grins at me. “I know. I’ve known forever. But for what it’s worth, if you think that guy is going to let you get away from him, you’re high.”
I laugh, feeling lighter than I’ve felt in forever.
“There’s nothing on earth that would make me walk away from him.
He’s mine, too.” He’s more mine than they even know—the ring hidden away in my pocket proving it.
The one I’ve taken to carrying around with me wherever I go.
The one that represents a marriage that feels less fake with every passing day.
Less like something I want to be finished with and more like something I want to hold onto for as long as he’ll have me.
“God,” Hallie says. “I love this so much I’m not even going to be mad that both of you are staying in Boston permanently. Tell me everything.”
“Especially the sexy stuff.” Jo props her elbows on her knees and drops her chin in her hands.
I laugh again, thinking of the conversation we had with Amelia so many months ago.
One that started pretty must just like this one.
Only now, I get to share the good stuff.
And for once, I really, really want to share.
“He had me make a list of all my fantasies, and he’s been crossing them off one-by-one. And a few days ago, he made me read one of my spicy scenes to him and he acted the whole thing out. ”
Both of my sisters’ mouths fall open, and Jo’s eyes go wide. “Queen behavior, Hannah. That is queen behavior.”
I give her a smug smile. “I know.” But then my smile falls when I remember the other thing I still haven’t told them.
“It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows though.
The first time we were together he…” I break off, swallowing hard.
“He held my hands above my head and I…kind of had a panic attack.”
“Because that’s what Brett did that night.” Hallie’s face somehow holds both understanding and a fiery rage.
I nod, not sure I trust my voice.
“How did Noah handle that?” Jo asks.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“It caught me off guard because I thought I was over it, but I guess the accidental re-creation of what happened with Brett triggered me or something, and my brain spiraled. Noah stopped right away and made sure I felt safe. Then he sat with me while I told him the whole story. And when I told him I still wanted to sleep with him, he gave me all of the control. And every time since, he’s been careful to leave my hands free, but without making it a big deal.
He doesn’t treat me like I’m made of glass, or like I’m broken, but he somehow just knows what I need, without ever having to ask. ”
My voice breaks on the last word, tears springing to my eyes and rolling down my cheeks. I don’t do one single thing to stop them because they feel good. Right. Cleansing, somehow. The kind of tears that wash away the darkness and make room inside of you for something new. Something beautiful.
“You’re in love with him,” Hallie says, squeezing my hand again.
I nod. “I am. I have been for a long time, I think.”
Jo takes my free hand and then reaches for Hallie’s. “I’m happy for you, Hans. I’m so damn happy for you.”
I look between my sisters, loving everything about this night. “Thanks Jo Jo, but enough about me. This is your night. What do you want to do? ”
Jo smiles and shrugs. “This. I just want to do this. You guys, and Jordan staying here later. Nails in a color sure to make mom ragey. That’s everything I need.”
I let go of Jo’s hand and wrap an arm around her shoulders, full of affection and love for my little sister. “Tomorrow is going to be perfect.”
A laugh bubbles out of Jo. “I know right? I can’t wait to get married. I wish tomorrow was now.”
“Impatient, Jo Jo?”
Jo laughs again at the sound of Jordan’s voice and jumps up off the bed, bouncing across the room and throwing herself at him where he stands in the doorway next to a grinning Ben. “You’re early!”
Jordan presses a kiss to her head and closes his eyes for a second, the love in his expression so intense my heart aches. “Couldn’t stay away,” he says quietly. “Am I interrupting girls’ night?”
Hallie shakes her head, smiling at Jordan. “You’re right on time, Jord. It’s almost midnight, and the twins never sleep past six-thirty.”
Ben strides forward and with a grin, scoops Hallie off the bed and cradles her in his arms. “Come on, Hallie Girl, let’s get you to bed. Night guys. Oh, and Hans, I’d take a look out the window if I were you.”
“Why?” I ask, confused. But before Ben can respond, I hear a clink on the windowpane, and then two more in rapid succession.
“What is that?” Jo asks. Jordan chuckles and dips down, whispering in her ear, and then they both turn to me.
“What?” I demand.
Jo giggles. “I think it’s for you.”
Clink . That noise again, and everyone in the room is looking at me expectantly.
Huffing out an impatient breath, I stalk to the window, and when I glance out, what I see has my heart rolling in my chest and butterflies swarming my stomach.
Standing in Hallie and Ben’s backyard, lit only by the dim lights on the deck and the glow of the moonlight, is Noah.
He’s wearing shorts, a navy-blue T-shirt that says Abscessed With Oral Surgery on it with a cartoon picture of a smiling tooth, and those flip flops that still make me weak in the knees.
He’s grinning up at me, blue eyes sparkling with mischief, and his hair is tousled and messy in a way that makes me want to run my fingers through it.
Feeling my insides warm at the sight of him, my own grin spreading, I open the window and lean out, crossing my arms over the frame. “Were you throwing rocks at my window?”
Noah shrugs, grin spreading. “Had to get your attention somehow.”
“And you didn’t think to maybe come inside like a normal person?”
“I’m not a normal boyfriend, Gorgeous. I’m the cool boyfriend.”
My stomach flips at the word boyfriend .
It’s the first time he’s used it, and I love it, but I also can’t help but think that husband is kind of growing on me too.
My entire body is vibrating with the need to jump straight into his arms, but we wouldn’t be us if I didn’t give him shit first, so I school my face into a bored expression.
“Are you really quoting Mean Girls at me?”
Even from up here, I can see Noah’s eyes light up with amusement at the callback to our conversation from the bar so many years ago. “What can I say Hans? It’s Amy Poehler at her finest.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing because god, this guy. “Is there something you needed?”
He spreads his arms wide, and my gaze is drawn to the glint of silver on his left hand. Is he…I squint to look closer and yep. The lunatic is wearing his wedding ring, right in my sister’s backyard. His gaze follows mine and he gives me a wicked grin, like he knows exactly what I’m seeing .
“I just need you. It’s magic hour, Han. Come kiss me at midnight.”
Behind me, I hear Jo let out a little squeal. Glancing over my shoulder, I realize that none of the four of them have moved. They’re all standing there, grinning like insane people, looking directly at me. And honestly, I couldn’t care less. Ours was always meant to be a family affair.
“What’s in it for me?” I call down.
Noah’s smile softens, his eyes filled with something I can’t quite name, but it takes my breath away.
“Everything.” His voice is quiet, but he might as well have yelled because that one single word has me on my feet in seconds, down the stairs so fast I barely even touch the floor.
Then, with a smile on my face, I walk out the back door and straight into Noah’s arms.
And I’m home.