Total pages in book: 13
Estimated words: 11957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 60(@200wpm)___ 48(@250wpm)___ 40(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 60(@200wpm)___ 48(@250wpm)___ 40(@300wpm)
Josh met my eye. “So that was it then? You went for it?”
“Pretty much. I applied to graduate programs for art therapy and was accepted to George Washington University just a few blocks from here. Their internship placement program helped me get the experience to get a good job and then after a few years working in a clinic, I was able to open my own practice. I’ve been on my own for about a year and a half now. The main floor of my townhouse has a studio in it.”
“Where are you from originally?”
“Tiny town in Cape Cod called Centerville.”
Josh’s eyes twinkled. “Famous for its ice cream. I know it well.”
“You’re kidding?” I asked, skipping around to face him. “You’ve been to Four Seas?”
“Well, it’s been many years. I’m not sure if the little round stools are still covered in sticky blue vinyl or not. But for the record, my flavor was and will always be banana.”
My heart thundered in my chest as I remembered something I’d said to one of my little sisters probably twenty years before.
Katie, one day I want to fall in love with someone and have our wedding at Four Seas. Do you think there’s anyone out there who loves ice cream enough for that?
I laughed at the memory, causing Josh to tilt his head at me. “What’s so funny? You don’t like banana?”
Shaking my head, I stepped closer to him, careful not to bump his prosthetic or step on the toes of his other foot. “I like banana,” I said. “And I can already tell I like you too.”
And then I did something totally out of character considering we’d only known each other a matter of minutes.
I kissed him.
2
JOSH
As soon as Cam’s lips touched mine, I exhaled in relief. Clearly I wasn’t the only one feeling an instant connection. The minute I’d seen Cam standing patiently off to the side while I played with a friendly dog, I’d hoped he was my date. He seemed reserved at first. His brown hair was messy as if he’d had nervous fingers through it on his way to meet me, and even as he began to relax around me, his smile held a kind of shyness to it.
But then he’d kissed me.
I slid a hand onto his hip and squeezed to let him know I was completely on board with his spontaneous snog. After a few moments of fairly chaste kisses, he pulled back. Poor Cam’s naturally pale face was now scarlet, but his eyes were bright and shining.
“Sorry, I just—”
I cut him off with another kiss before pulling back again, keeping my hands loose on his hips. “No sorries. Anytime you want to stop and kiss me, please feel free.”
His eyes skittered away, but his grin was cute as hell. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s good. Okay. And, uh… you too.”
I raised a hand up to slide it across his jaw. His chin was smooth from a recent shave and his skin was a healthy honey gold from the recent summer sun. “If liking Four Seas ice cream got me kisses,” I murmured before leaning in to brush another across his opposite cheek. “What are you going to do when you find out I also like Centerville Pies?”
Cam’s laugh was like music to my ears. I brushed another kiss across his lips before pulling back and reaching for his hand to continue walking. We were close to the base of the Washington Monument.
“You ever been to the top?” I asked.
His hand was soft and warm in mine, and I appreciated him letting me hold it. I freaking loved holding hands even if it caused some assholes to stare. Luckily, DC wasn’t particularly difficult to be out in, but there were still usually tourists who couldn’t seem to keep their eyeballs from bugging when they saw real live gay people in public places.
“Yep. Many times despite being terrified of heights. I’ve taken a few clients up there to sketch the view.”
I led Cam toward the side of the Mall where there was a drinks cart set up. “Want a water or soda?”
“That’d be great. Sprite please.”
After ordering a Coke and a Sprite, I paid the guy and turned to hand Cam his drink. An older lady bent down to peer at my prosthetic.
“Isn’t that fascinating,” she said. “What’s it do?”
“The laundry,” I responded, handing Cam the drink. The woman stood up straight and furrowed her brows at me.
“Really?”
Cam bit his lip to keep from grinning.
“No, ma’am. Not really. It’s actually…” I looked side to side as if making sure we were alone. We weren’t. But I leaned in and whispered anyway. “It’s the latest in surveillance technology. All I have to do is walk up and down the Mall and it will pick up spy conversations from all the covert meetings on benches and send them straight to headquarters.”