Leaving the car, he walked around the vehicle and opened her door. When she didn’t move to get out, he hoped he hadn’t miscalculated.
Extending a hand, Josh waited to see what she would do. When she slipped her hand into his and held on tight, he finally released his breath. Cautioning himself to go slowly, he secured the car and they both climbed the stairs that would take them back to a place filled with memories.
Once inside the living room, Lux released his hand and stood perfectly still. When she began to move, Josh watched her in an attempt to decipher her thoughts.
“You kept everything the same.”
“I already told you, any decisions or changes, we’ll make together. I have a cleaner who comes once a week to make sure everything is in order. The house is just how you left it.”
“How involved are you with my brother?”
Josh didn’t know what he’d expected with this walk down memory lane, but he should have known better. Before they could move forward, they needed to revisit the past and put it to rest. He was unsure of the outcome, but he was prepared to offer her as much honesty as he could. Whether she would be content with that remained to be seen.
“Not as much as you think.”
“If you do that one more time, I’m going to leave and I won’t come back. I need you to be totally honest with me. My brother has talked in enough circles to last me a lifetime. If we’re to stand a chance, I need straightforward answers.”
“Okay, I could use some coffee. If you don’t mind making some, I’ll start a fire and we’ll meet in the middle.” Josh knew he was stalling, but it was the best he could do. He needed a few moments to get his emotions under control. It was seven years since the last time they were together in their home, and memories assailed him. She’d also openly admitted that they stood a chance.
She wanted answers and he would do his best to give them; after all, his future happiness depended on it.
Her hesitation spoke volumes and Josh turned away to carry out his task in the hope she would do the same. Aware of her slightest movement, he knew when she finally left the room. Drawing in a deep breath, he set about lighting the fire and turning up the thermostat to heat up the house.
When she returned, the glow of the flames cast shadows around the room. The ambiance was set exactly the way he wanted it. Placing the tray on the coffee table, Lux removed a mug and handed it to him. Accepting the cup, Josh brushed his fingers against hers to ensure she was aware of his presence on a physical level. Yes, they needed to have this conversation, but he also wanted her to remember they were a man and woman with a chemistry he wasn’t about to allow her to ignore.
The air of nonchalance he portrayed was a masquerade of his real feelings, and after tonight, he was done with it. He intended to answer all her questions, and then she would have a decision to make.
Sitting in their favorite chair that was big enough for two, Josh took a sip of his coffee, his attention locked on the dancing flames of the fire.
“You have your coffee, now I want answers. No more double talk, do we have an agreement?”
“Whatever you want is yours.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Why not? It’s the truth.”
“If it’s the truth, tell me what you and my brother are into.”
“Your brother and I are into nothing. My only concern with him is you,” Josh answered honestly.
“Please don’t do that. I need to understand what’s going on.”
“Do you mean that, Lux?”
“Yes.”
“If you mean it, I’ll tell you. But what happens afterward; if you don’t like what you hear, do you then judge me and find me wanting?”
“You make me sound so vengeful.”
“No, not vengeful, never that. Just more sanctimonious than you have a right to be.”
“You call it sanctimonious, I call it moral.”
“Then where do we go from here?” Josh asked watching her carefully.
“How about you answer my question regarding your association with my brother.”
“Okay, I’ll answer your questions and then you can answer mine, deal?”
Her expression left him in some doubt as to whether she would agree to his proposal. A slight nod was the only affirmation he received and Josh knew that would have to be enough.
“My association with your brother isn’t as much as you and some others think.” Seeing she was about to speak, Josh held up his hand to silence her and realized too late that the superior gesture of control wouldn’t sit well with his touchy wife. He was right as he withstood the narrowing of her eyes, but she remained quiet.