Her speech slows by the end of her sentence, and she looks unsure of herself. Not on my watch.
“Did he accidentally electrocute you with his face? You know, like static electricity?”
Josie lets out a full laugh, “No, no, not that. We’re… well, we’re a Match.”
Another piece fits into place as I imagine our future together. I knew about Vic and Jesse, obviously, but I suspected Simon was part of it too. Assuming Ray is right, I’ll Match with Josie as well.
“Is that bad?” I ask.
She wanders to a bench and sits. I take the seat next to her and twist my body so I can see her better.
“No,” she sighs, “It’s not bad, but I had a panic attack over touching him without consent. It’s my number one rule, and I broke it while we were all goofing around. I’m glad he’s a Match because hopefully it won’t cause a rift between him and Vic, but he also said he’s not sure he wants a Pack. I know I want one eventually, so I just feel unsettled. Like I don’t know where I stand.”
“That would be hard, I agree,” I tell her, “Sometimes the best thing to do is focus on the moment instead of worrying about the future. I get caught up in the future too much at work, so I make a point to appreciate those smaller wins, the things that are happening in the moment.”
“I can see that. It’s knowing where you want to go, but stopping to smell the flowers on your way,” she says.
“Pretty much,” I agree with her.
Josie looks over at me, “Look at you, Mr. Wiseman.”
“Sometimes. Sometimes I say things that make no sense and make everything more awkward,” I confess with a grin.
Shoring up my nerve, I ask the question that’s been burning on my mind for weeks. I want that confirmation of a Match, but I know Josie is huge on consent, and I won’t touch her without it. It’s hard not to imagine how soft her skin will be when I finally do touch it, and my dick stirs with the thought.
“Josie, may I touch you? I want to know if we’re a Match,” I spit out quickly.
One eyebrow raises on her pretty face, “You say that like you’re worried about the outcome. You don’t have to touch me, we can just date. If you’re worried about a Match, we don’t have to go on another date.”
“Fuck, no, shit! I want to be a Match. You’re amazing, and I want that connection with you.”
“So, you want me because you think we’re a Match?” she asks, face full of confusion.
“Goddammit, I’m fucking this up. Hang on a second.” I take a deep breath and rephrase my awkwardness, “Josie, you are wonderful, and I would be overjoyed to just spend time with you. You’re funny, smart, and so, so kind. I also want to be your Match. I want to know that we’re meant to be together, like I hope we are. Knowing we’re a Match would be the most amazing connection ever. If we’re not, though, I have no intention of letting you go.”
Josie searches my face for a moment, taking in my words, before she gives me a slow smile.
“Okay, if you really mean that, then I guess let’s find out. If you run away, I’ll just have Vic, Simon, and Jesse chase you down.” She winks at me.
Chuckling, I raise my hand slowly, wanting to cup her face with it. She leans toward my hand, and the moment we connect, she closes her eyes with peace. My body lights up like a firecracker, the Match firing through my synapses, changing my world in the blink of an eye. My nerve endings feel electric, and I swear I almost come in my pants. Finally re-focusing enough to look at her again, Josie is happily leaning into my touch, and I feel contentment like I’ve never known.
I meant what I said, I would have been sad without the Match, but I would have courted her anyway. Now, though? She’s mine just like I’m hers. She can’t feel the Match, but she trusts me to feel it for both of us. It’s a heady feeling on top of my world shifting to center around her. I can’t find words yet, so I lean in and lightly kiss her. She responds beautifully, and it’s everything.
nineteen
JOSIE
Suspecting that Henry might be a Match, and finding out heisa Match are two vastly different experiences. My mind is still reeling from his kiss, but I could almost feel the moment when he experienced the Match. His hand on my face is the best feeling. A sense of peace has washed over me, still lingering while he touches me. His nervous energy faded away the second he touched me, and I knew. While neither of us is ready to be done with this kiss, Henry pulls back and places our foreheads together. We’re both breathing a bit heavily, but there’s a sense of peace between us.
“Wow,” I comment, unable to find any other words.
“Absolutely,” Henry chuckles.
He pulls back again to look me in the eye, and I find I’m irrationally irritated that he keeps pulling back. I want all of us to be touching, dammit! Henry smiles at me, and it’s like the sun emerging from the clouds.
“I never expected to find a Match. I’m eternally grateful that it’syou, Josie. You amaze me and bring so much good with you that I’m better just for having you in my life.”
My cheeks almost hurt from how big my smile is. Tentatively, I lay my hands on his chest, wanting to touch as much of him asI can. Biting my lip, I meet his eyes, blown away by his words and how my body buzzes with his touch. His light blue eyes are almost white with how the sun shines on us, and I’m drawn in by the bright intensity.
