“I can take a cab by myself.” I needed to whip my thoughts back on track and possibly fan myself.
He looked at me funny, and I immediately knew I’d given myself away. Now he knew for sure that something was off.
“I’m taking you home, Josie. That way, we can talk some more, and you’ll tell me exactly what’s wrong.”
I was silent in the cab because I honestly wasn’t sure what to tell him or how to act right now. He didn’t push.
He walked me to my door in silence. After stepping inside, I stood in the doorway, unsure what to say.
“Josie, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure, honestly. I... just don’t know.”
“I don’t want to leave things like this.”
I turned around, biting my lip.
“You mentioned something about rules,” he said.
“Yes.” I could do this. I was an excellent lawyer. Rules were my specialty. “Let’s keep kissing only for the public, okay?”
He stared at me. What was he thinking? As if in slow motion, his mouth curled into a smile. “How about touching?”
“Hunter....”
“Looking?”
“You’re not taking me seriously.”
“Sorry, I’m not. Of course I’ll only kiss you in public, Josie. I know the drill. But now I’m curious as to why you think it was necessary to remind me. Was that kiss so good that you’re afraid you’ll ask for more?”
He was close enough that the tips of his shoes nudged the tips of mine. The tip of his nose was almost touching mine.
“You’re insufferable,” I murmured.
“So you’ve been telling me since I was seventeen, but you’ve stuck around.”
“You’re lucky I like you. There’s nothing wrong, Hunter. I guess I’m just a bit overwhelmed with everything going on.”
“Josie, we can do this.”
“Always so confident.”
A sly grin spread on his handsome face. “You like that about me.”
“Oh my God. You keep being cocky, and I’ll throw you out.”
He came, if possible, even closer.
“Why, are you afraid I’ll kiss you again?” he murmured. His hot breath tickled my lips. I licked them, almost involuntarily. His eyes turned feral.
“Goodnight, Hunter.”
He smiled as I closed the door. I was smiling too, but my heart was beating at a hundred miles an hour, because the truth was... yes, I was afraid.
Chapter Five
Josie
I felt a bit jumpy the next day, already feeling guilty about essentially breaking the law. On the way to work, I was so lost in my thoughts that I kept bumping into commuters. That earned me several glares. New Yorkers were extra moody in the morning.
Usually, in the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets, I couldn’t hear my own thoughts. But today, not even the symphony of cars honking, and strangers yelling was enough to quiet my mind.
It hadn’t helped that I looked up information on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement websites whenever I got a chance. They were on the lookout for sham marriages between US residents and foreigners. If they suspected anything, they could interrogate us. I was half expecting that, honestly, considering the timing of it all. But I hoped we’d only be going through a normal procedure, and not the Stokes interview. Apparently, the questions were so detailed that even real couples had problems answering them.
During my lunch break, I walked the few blocks from my office to Central Park, sitting on a bench that was hidden from the sun by the thick foliage of a tree. I had to take off my suit jacket; the July heat was suffocating.
As usual, the view calmed me. Something about the lush green lawn and people sitting on it, relaxing, was soothing. I came here from time to time during lunch break. My other lunch distraction was the Met, especially when they brought in new collections.
On Tuesday, I was miffed to find an email from Hunter with an attachment. It was a ticket to a rock-climbing hall that had recently opened in town. I called him immediately.
“What’s with the ticket?”
“You like rock climbing, and this is the best place for it in town. You need to blow off some steam.”
“Hunter, I’m fine.”
“You’re not. You’ve been my friend for fifteen years. Trust me to read you.”
My fingers were a little shaky around the phone. My heart was racing. Could he also tell why I was so nervous? That I wasn’t just afraid we’d be found out, but that the prospect of living with him, kissing him scared me?
“Thank you. I’m going to give it a try, but only if you come with me.”
“Climbing? Hell, no. This is a gift for my fiancée.”
My stomach flipped at the word. Silly stomach.
“No one knows yet, so no need for the ticket.”
“Yes, there is. And this is something you need to get used to.”
“What?”
“Being showered with gifts.”
“Why?”
“You’re doing me a favor. I intend to make everything go as smoothly as possible for you. And I won’t accept a no.”
“You won’t accept it?” I teased.
“No. Just have some fun, Josie. You deserve it.”
I was seeing a whole new side of Hunter. He was right, of course. I did need to blow off some steam. I was working my butt off at the law firm because I was hoping to be promoted to partner by the end of next year. And now with this additional stress, I was not myself.
I went climbing later that afternoon, and it was glorious. When I arrived home, I picked up my phone, intending to scroll through Instagram, and discovered a message from Hunter. He was inescapable. He’d always been this way, only now, after the kiss, it all felt different. My stomach flipped each time he called or texted.
Hunter: Are you free tomorrow in the evening?
Josie: Yes. Why?
Hunter: I was thinking we should pick a ring.
Josie: Already?
Hunter: Amelia’s birthday party is on Saturday, remember? It would be good to have it by then.
Oh... he was right, of course.
Josie: Sure.
Hunter: I’ll be at your place at six o’clock.
I had one night to process it all. One night. Oh heavens. I was a little nervous... but why was I smiling from ear to ear?
***
Hunter
When I told Josie I’d be at her place, she assumed I was picking her up and we were going to Tiffany. I wanted to make things go as smoothly as possible for her, which was why I had someone from Tiffany come to her place.
On the way, I called Mom. I checked in with her once a week to make sure everything was alright.
“Hi, Mom,” I greeted.
“Hey!”
“Do you have time? I have some news I want to share.”
“Of course.”
“You remember Josie, right?”
“She’s your best friend, Hunter. Of course, I remember her.”
“We’re getting married.”
A short pause followed, and then my eardrums exploded.
“Oh my God! What? When? You didn’t tell me anything. Is she pregnant? Since when have you two been dating? You’ve been lying every time I asked you when you’re planning to settle?”