Kiss Me in the Summer - Barbara Dunlop Page 0,72

hand, greeted me enthusiastically.

I bought myself a minute by focusing on the dog. Then I gathered my courage and faced Josh. “Hi.”

It took him a long minute to speak. “I thought you’d be gone by now.”

“I’m not.”

“I see.”

I forced myself to spit it out. If I’d learned anything from Josh and Butch and the rest of the dogs, it was that experiencing the worst wasn’t as bad as worrying about the worst.

“I was wrong,” I said. “I was stupid. I regret it, and I’m so incredibly sorry.”

Something shifted in his expression, and it took him a minute to speak. “What do you regret?”

“Hey, Josh.” It was Ben’s hearty voice. He was heading straight for us. I knew I was about to lose my opportunity.

“Leaving you,” I blurted out. “Saying yes to the law firm. Deciding to leave Rutter’s Point.” I went for broke. “I love you, Josh.”

“Look who we brought along,” Ben said in a high-pitched singsong voice.

Josh looked past me and broke into a smile.

I turned to see Ben and Becky, each with a tiny baby in their arms. My split-second of frustration vanished as my heart nearly melted.

“What are you doing out?” I asked Becky.

“I’m feeling perfectly fine,” she said. “And I refuse to stay cooped up a minute longer. Want to say hello?”

I did. I moved in for a better view.

“This is Giselle,” she said.

“Oh, she’s darling.” I’d never thought of myself as a baby person, but I was absolutely starting to see the appeal. I could picture a family now, a family with Josh.

“And this is Connor,” Ben said to Josh, pride ringing clear in his tone.

“Congratulations, again,” Josh said.

His hand gently touched the small of my back, his palm resting there, transmitting soothing warmth. My entire body sighed in relief, and I had to blink back tears.

Madeline arrived then, her tone happy and excited. “The babies are here!” She oohed and awed over each of them. Then she turned to me. “Good that you’re here too, Laila.”

I felt Josh look my way. I met his gaze and we shared a secret smile. I was dying to get him alone.

“This is Max,” Madeline said, gesturing to the distinguished looking man beside her.

“Hello, Laila. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Max said.

I accepted his handshake. “That could go either way these days, depending on who you’re hearing it from.”

He laughed. “Nothing but good things, I assure you.”

Josh stepped up close behind me and whispered in my ear, “We need to get away from this crowd. I want you to myself.”

The sound of his deep voice gave me another surge of warmth. I wasn’t sure how quickly we could extricate ourselves from the gathering, but I was game to try. I was anxious to be alone with Josh too.

But the next thing I knew, Cecily and Elizabeth arrived. I opened my mouth to do introductions, but I didn’t get anything out.

“Hello, Judge Winterspoon. I’m Elizabeth Jones. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Elizabeth,” Madeline said. “It’s so nice to finally meet you in person. And Cecily. I’m glad you both arrived safely.”

“Wait,” I said to them all, feeling thoroughly confused. “You guys know each other?”

“Not formally,” Madeline said. “We’ve been corresponding. I was very impressed with Elizabeth’s loyalty to the sisterhood.”

“She called me,” Elizabeth said. “I didn’t do a cold pitch or anything.”

“Cold pitch?” I was confused. “Cold pitch to what?”

Josh leaned close to my ear again. “We should dance. Why don’t we dance?”

“Hang on,” I said to him over my shoulder. “This is weird.”

“Hi,” Ben said to Cecily and Elizabeth. “I’m Ben, Josh’s friend. This is my wife Becky and our newborn babies.”

Cecily and Elizabeth were immediately distracted by the babies.

“Laila and I are going to dance,” Josh told everyone.

Cecily gave me a knowing grin and an eyebrow waggle.

“Wait,” I said. “Why did Madeline know you two were coming to Rutter’s Point?”

“She’s the backer for our new firm,” Elizabeth said.

“Silent partner,” Madeline said. “Unless my name is helpful, then you can put it on the stationary.”

“You’re starting a law firm?” Max asked.

“You already have a law firm,” Josh said to Madeline.

“I’m launching Elizabeth, Cecily, and Laila.”

“You’re their backer?” Josh asked.

“Why are you so surprised? I couldn’t find three better lawyers anywhere.”

“Can I get in on this?” Max asked Madeline. “It’s going to be a power firm.”

“Women only,” Madeline said.

Max looked offended. “My name would be great on the stationary.”

I couldn’t disagree with that. Max’s name would be a huge asset.

“Are you saying your name’s bigger than mine?” Madeline