me so spectacularly. And that’s something I have to work on.”
“I still don’t understand how you got up on that stage tonight.”
He pulled back, his eyes softening as he gazed at her. “When Andie told me you’d said you wanted me back but you were scared…” A crease wrinkled his brow. “I had to do something to show how much you meant to me, so you’d know you didn’t have to be scared.”
Her heart gave a painful lurch. “You didn’t have to do that for me. I never want you to feel like you have to do something that makes you uncomfortable in order to please me. I don’t need you to be anything but who you are.”
“I don’t regret it,” Josh said. “It helped me realize how much I’ve given up. That man who got up on stage tonight, that’s who I used to be. And I miss it. I miss being able to enjoy going out and being around people. I’m tired of being afraid all the time.” He paused, his mouth and jaw tightening. “That’s why I’ve started seeing a therapist.”
Mia had some idea how hard that must have been for him—both to admit it and to make the decision to do it in the first place. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him to show how much she meant it when she said, “I’m so proud of you.”
He cleared his throat. “I’ve only had one appointment so far. I don’t know how much difference it’ll make, but I guess it’s worth a shot.”
“Does this mean you might start singing with Shiny Heathens again?”
Josh snorted. “I don’t know about that…” He tipped his head back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Why? Did you like seeing me do that?”
She gave his shoulder a shove. “Are you kidding? You were amazing up there! I knew you had a great singing voice, but I had no idea you were such an incredible performer.” She narrowed her eyes in mock disapproval as she poked a finger into his chest. “I feel cheated that you’ve been hiding that side of you from me.”
He smiled, but his expression grew somber as he stroked his hand down her neck. “I’ve been doing too much hiding. It’s something I’m trying to fix.” His eyes twinkled as his smile warmed again. “But maybe I could manage to get back on that stage every once in a while. I sure didn’t mind the way you looked at me when I was up there.”
“That’s because I liked the way you looked when you were up there.” She dug her fingers into his hips, pulling him into the cradle of her legs and enjoying the flush that crept up his throat. “It was hot.”
She hadn’t imagined it was possible for Josh to be any more attractive to her, but the way he looked on that stage…her ovaries had definitely melted. The effect of it still surged through her, heating her blood despite the cool night air.
He rocked into her, exhaling a ragged breath. “Even if I don’t get up on stage every week, I’ve been thinking I should probably try to get out more. I think I might be able to do that if you’re willing to do it with me.”
“Of course.” Cupping his face in her hands, she brushed her lips against his. “I’ll be here for whatever you need. You don’t have to do anything alone anymore.”
His eyes burned into hers. “Neither do you.”
The truth of those words reached inside her and filled up a hole she hadn’t even known was there. An unquenched yearning she’d carried all her life vanished in a burst of incandescent happiness. Suddenly the world seemed a lot less daunting.
It’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay. Both of us. Together.
“I missed you,” she said softly, feeling her lip tremble again. “I want you with me. Just to be super clear about that. I always want you, any way you’re willing to let me have you.”
He cocked a provocative eyebrow at her. “Any way?”
“Yes.” She smiled, wondering if it was possible to actually die of happiness. “That’s what I said.”
“I like the sound of that.” He lowered his head and kissed her, hard and deep. Using his lips and his tongue to say you’re mine in a way that left absolutely no room for doubt.
A shimmer of electric heat danced through her body, and her stomach swooped like a bird whirling through the sky. When he finally pulled