Josh shrugs. “He’s nowhere near you, and that’s all that matters. I’m sure they just moved him somewhere else. Hopefully he loses that attitude.”

“I hope so. He was nasty. The guard earlier in the day at least flirted with me,” Becky says.

I laugh. “I could have handled that.”

Wriggling over, I make space for Josh to sit beside me. I lean my head on his shoulder. “I’m just glad it’s all over. What about you, Becky? Are you going home now you’ve met Josh?”

She laughs, nodding. “I haven’t been home in three days. It’s time. I still can’t believe I’m here.”

“Well, I’ll follow up as we agreed, and get some signed merchandise sent to you,” Josh says. “And like I said, I’m so grateful you were there when you were and that you helped Delaney. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“I’m just glad Delaney’s okay. That must have hurt when you hit the road.”

I shrug. “I can’t even remember it.”

“Your face does, judging from the bruises,” Becky says.

I raise my hand to the side of my head. It is tender, and there’s a lump that’ll take a while to go away.

Josh kisses my hair. “I hate seeing you hurt.”

“A bit of rest and I’ll be fine.”

“I should be going and let you rest,” Becky says.

“Thank you again.” I smile.

“You’re welcome. I can’t speak for everyone out there, but I’ll leave you two alone. Have a good holiday, Delaney.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Josh says.

He pecks me on the head again. “I’ll only be a minute.”

Becky pauses in the doorway. “If you’re ever back in Honolulu, give me a call. I gave Josh my details so he can send me some posters.”

I nod. “I’d like that.”

I close my eyes again as they leave. I’m vaguely aware of the bed sinking soon afterward.

“Now I’ve got you all to myself.”

“I’m too tired to do anything.”

Josh laughs softly in my ear. “That’s why we’re going to sleep.”

I snuggle back against him as he spoons me.

His warm hand on my stomach is the last thing I remember.

Thirty-Seven

Josh

By morning, Delaney’s feeling a lot better.

The colour’s back in her cheeks, and her eyes aren’t as sunken as they were last night.

She’s propped up in bed, eating breakfast, and no longer talking about going home.

I dodged a bullet. And I have to make sure that she feels comfortable in this life with me before I stand a chance of her and Amelia being with me full-time.

“I’ve got a treat for you this morning,” I say.