right below her knees, and due to the beige heels on her feet, she was taller than usual.
She clenched a gift bag in her hands, and as he approached, she lifted it higher, like the wimpiest shield ever. When it came to the woman in front of him, his memory was a sad imitation knockoff that didn’t do her justice. She was even prettier than he remembered. The last rays of the day played across the planes of her face, highlighting her freckles and her hair and those endless hazel eyes.
Beauty aside, it was the heart beating within her that he’d truly fallen for. He adored how kind and caring she was. How she’d ignited something within him that he’d thought no longer existed.
“Hi,” he said, the simple word coming out strangled with the countless emotions rioting within him.
“Hello. I’m so glad you’ve decided to christen your boat.” Danae’s words came out oddly formal, and he wasn’t sure how to respond to this robotic version of her. Then she reached up and rubbed the side of her neck, and there was the woman he’d been missing so strongly that he ached from it. “I’ve been worried about you out on the water, unprotected by the gods.”
He smiled, a dozen fireworks igniting in his chest at once, and he went ahead and let his hope run free. She’d shown up. She didn’t want him hurt.
As her friends tactfully left them alone and boarded the boat, Danae leaned in, close enough that Josh’s heart forgot how to beat, and whispered, “Um, who is that woman waving super huge at us? I’d say she was waving at you, because I don’t recognize her, but I assume she understands you can’t see her when your back is turned.”
Josh pivoted around, and sure enough, a woman was waving at them. He lifted his hand, and Tinsley bounced on the balls of her feet. She snagged Nancy by the arm and whispered in her ear, and then Nancy grabbed George and did the same.
Before long, Tinsley was spreading the news to his parents and Jane and Nathan as well.
Not real subtle, his family and friends. But man, did they care, and more than he’d realized, at that.
“Anyway”—Danae twisted the twine handle of the bag in her hand, leaving it spinning at her side—“I didn’t want to interrupt, and I hope it’s okay that I’m here, but—”
“It’s more than okay,” Josh said. “I want you here. That’s why I invited you.”
“I thought maybe you were just being nice.”
“Haven’t you and I met before? When have I ever just been nice?”
Everything inside him froze—and then immediately melted—as her signature warm smile spread across her face. He was almost afraid to say more in case he somehow ruined it. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Josh Wheeler. You can be nice.” Her grin widened. “When you want to be.”
“Thank you. But I wish I had been a lot nicer at the end of our trip. I’m sorry I was a jerk.”
“I could’ve handled things better, too. I’ve regretted not saying goodbye, and I’ve thought a lot about you. About us.” Danae tucked her hair behind her ear, each one of her familiar gestures buoying him up and adding another block of courage. “When I lost my dad, trying to control everything became my coping mechanism. I thought the only way to be true to myself was to stick to my goals and usual protocols, no matter what. If you’ll give me another chance, though, I’ll try not to plan everything. I’m totally up for just seeing where this goes—as long as you still are.”
Before he could fully process her words, Danae thrust the gift bag into his hands. “But no pressure, and I’m not expecting an answer now. I just wanted to wish you luck and show my support, and I’m sure it’s about time to start the ceremony.”
Josh pressed his lips together so a laugh wouldn’t burst out of him. “Are you in charge of the itinerary for my own boat christening?”
Her eyes widened. “No. I didn’t mean to…” She shrugged, her mouth pulling to the side in a ridiculously adorable way. “Force of habit. But I’ll work on it.”
Concern hung so heavy on her features that his heart couldn’t handle it anymore. He stretched out his fingers until they brushed hers, and then he tentatively folded her hand in his. Everything inside him shouted for joy when she returned his grip full force.
“I’ve regretted the way things