Joshua wandered around Allison''s bedroom, taking his time and soaking everything in.

    Her room had a simple, cozy vibe, all soft blue tones that made the space feel calm and inviting. There was a walk-in closet off to one side, and the air carried a faint trace of her favorite perfume-light and floral, warm and gentle, just like her. Joshua meandered from one spot to another, his curiosity obvious as he took in every detail. A crisp white cloth covered her desk, perfectly neat, with a vase of fresh pale blue hydrangeas at the center. Next to the vase sat a small, light-blue porcin puppy. He remembered the story-Allison and her mom had painted it together, just the two of them. It had broken once, and Joshua had secretly arranged to have it restored for her.

    He picked up the little dog carefully, turning it over in his hands. Whoever did the repair had done a wless job. You''d never know it had been broken.

    He set it gently back in its spot and nced over at the wooden dresser, where a cluster of photo frames sat. Nearly every picture was of Allison and her mom: a tiny Allison in a pink princess dress, hair tied up with a bow, grinning from her mom''sp; Allison at eight, eyes squeezed shut to make a birthday wish, a sparkly tiara perched on her head, her mother smiling by her side; Allison at ten, clutching a trophy after a pianopetition, both parents looking on, proud and happy.

    These were all moments Joshua hadn''t been there for-snapshots from a life he''d missed.

    He traced a finger over the photos, his eyes softening. From now on, he promised himself, he wouldn''t miss another moment.

    An hourter, the house finally quieted down. Linda was gone, and after making dinner for Brooklyn, Shannon headed out too.

    Allison let out a sigh of relief. She pushed open her bedroom door. "You cane out now."

    Silence.

    She frowned and walked further in. The room felt oddly empty. No sign of Joshua anywhere.

    She opened the closet. "Joshua? Are you in there?" Nothing.

    Weird. Where would he go? He couldn''t have just vanished. "Joshua?" she called again, confused.

    Suddenly, a warm hand wrapped around her wrist. Before she could react, she was pulled back into a familiar chest, her back pressed against him. Even through his shirt, she could feel the heat of his body.

    “Right here,” Joshua''s voice rumbled, low and smooth.

    He hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. His breath tickled her neck, sending shivers through her. Her whole body felt electric-her knees almost gave out.

    Joshua noticed, his voice dropping even lower, teasing her with a smile, "What''s

    the matter? Can''t handle me already?"

    A soft gasp escaped her lips.

    She turned in his arms to face him. Joshua straightened up, his dark eyes locked on hers-steady, intense, impossible to read.

    For a second, neither of them moved. Then Allison rose up on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

    Her kiss was awkward and a little clumsy nothing like the practiced way Joshua usually kissed her. But right then, that didn''t matter at all.