“I can get this,” she insisted.
“So can I,” I teased.
“But you bought the pizza,” she countered.
“I’m absolutely positive you will share a pizza with me at some point. You don’t have to keep score. You wash, I’ll rinse.”
The kitchen counters were wiped down a few minutes later, and the dishes were drying on the rack. “I’ll walk you to your place,” I offered.
As she slipped into her jacket and boots, I added, “By the way, pets are allowed.”
She slid her gaze to mine, her brows hitching up. “Really? Is that the best plan?”
I chuckled. “I don’t know. I was just thinking about your old dog in high school. He went everywhere with you.”
“Aw, I loved him.”
“His name was Harley, right?”
“You remembered!” She looked overjoyed.
“Of course, I remembered. He liked to put his head on the shoulder of whoever was sitting in your front seat when you were driving.”
“I miss him,” she said as I held the door for her.
“Remember Tiffany Mills?” I asked.
“Of course. She was a year or so ahead of us in high school,” Josie replied.
“Right. Well, she married Wes, who you also might remember. His mom runs the local animal rescue program, and he and Tiffany help out there. He’s a firefighter, so I’ve gotten to know him pretty well. Tiffany will show up in the coffee shop, so be prepared for her to sell you on a cat or a dog.”
Josie walked through the softly falling snow. “I’m not a hard sell on that.”
When we reached her door, I commented, “The switch for the outside lights is to the right just inside. The one for the back porch is in the kitchen by that door.”
She smiled up at me. I wasn’t thinking.At all. My rational brain fled as if I’d been caught breaking and entering somewhere. I was looking down at Josie. Her eyes were twinkling, and her lips were curled into a slight smile, and I just wanted to kiss her.
I could’ve sworn her eyes contained an answering flare of desire. I took a step closer, murmuring, “It’s really good to see you, Josie.”
Her palm landed on my chest, where my jacket hung open. “You too, Tate.”
I dipped my head, lifting my hand to palm her cheek. She didn’t move. Her lips were plump and pink, her smile the tiniest bit lopsided. A second later, my lips brushed hers. Electricity zapped through me, lighting my body up like lightning flashing in the darkness. She made this soft sound in the back of her throat and stepped closer.
“Josie,” I whispered against her lips before claiming her mouth.