Sorry, this isn’t CS - this is Josiah and Kate from my latest book The One Who Sees Me. I was inspired to write this after going to my husband to wallow in some self-pity this morning. He was awesome, and it is just one of the things I love about being married to him. So anyway, here’s about 900 words of nauseating domesticity and kissing between Josiah and Kate. Oh, and that’s not a spoiler because you find out they are married in the first book, What Hindered Love.
Rated G because married couples share a lot cuddled up in bed together, not just sex (sorry if the pics above were misleading!)
“I’m a complete failure.”
Kate knew she sounded overly dramatic as she collapsed onto the bed beside her husband, but she didn’t care. She was in a mood for self-pity, and if she couldn’t wallow in that at home, where could she?
Josiah reached down and tenderly brushed at strands of hair that had fallen out of her messy bun. “That’s not true, and you know it. Where’s this coming from?”
Kate sighed as she rolled towards him and curled up against his chest. “I feel like I’m begging people to come to my senior show. No one cares. I might as well accept it.”
“I care. Your parents and your sister care. We’re all going to be there.”
He chuckled, “Thanks a lot.”
“I love you, you know I do, but you have to support me. Same with Hannah and Mom and Dad.”
“I know some wives, daughters, and sisters who would disagree with you.”
His hands were in her hair now, even though it was greasy and tangled and falling out of the bun she had hastily twisted atop her head. She wrapped her arms around his bicep and pressed her lips to his collarbone.
“Yeah, I’m lucky, I get it, but you’re kind of missing the point.”
“If this is back to you being a complete failure, I refuse to agree.”
Kate pushed out a frustrated breath. “I told everyone at the diner and at church about my senior show, and every single person acted like they’d rather get a root canal.”
“They said that? In those exact words?”
Kate twisted her head up to scowl at him. “Okay, no, but they very reluctantly said something like I’ll do my best, which everyone knows is the world’s nicest way of turning someone down.”
She expected Josiah to argue that point, but instead he pulled her closer against his chest and pressed a kiss to her messy hair. When he remained silent, her tongue got looser.
“I put my heart and soul into this show. You know the raw emotions I poured into those photographs.”
“So you feel like it isn’t just a rejection of your art, but of you personally.”
Kate blinked back tears as she straightened up to a sitting position. “Yeah, exactly. I guess I should have stuck to trendy stuff everyone else was doing - rainy window panes, attractive models on train tracks -”
“Adorable toddlers in fields of flowers?” Josiah added with a teasing laugh.
“Exactly. No one wants to come see an exhibit called Broken Things. What was I
“You were thinking there were people out there who could relate, people who would be touched by photos like that. I’m so proud of you for taking that risk.”
She collapsed against his chest again, and his arms tightened around her, his lips ghosting across her temple.
“What difference does it make if no one sees it? Outside of my family. Oh God, I’m the biggest loser out there.”
“I understand how you feel,” he sympathized, rubbing her arms gently, “people can tell you all day that you create for the joy of it, but you long to share it.”
The tears were coming ugly now; streaming down her face, reddening her eyes, and wetting her nose. She wiped them away, trying to get herself under control.
“Hey,” he admonished gently, “sorry for what? Your emotions? Never apologize for that. I’m validating everything you’re feeling, but I also want you to be encouraged. Ally told me she couldn’t wait to see your show.”
“Yes, and Mom called yesterday to confirm the time.”
“I didn’t know that,” she whispered.
She stayed in the circle of his arms for several moments, letting his words sink in. She was still terrified of standing in front of her photographs, alone, with only her family trickling in. Pathetic. On the other hand, maybe Josiah was right, maybe more people cared than she thought. She let out a long, shuddering breath, then pulled away from him.
“My pleasure,” he told her with that smile that still made her stomach flip. He pulled her closer and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered against her skin when he pulled away.
She rolled her eyes. “With greasy, messy hair, no makeup, and no shower?”
“I like your hair like this,” he said, touching it again. “You should wear it like this more often.”
Kate grimaced. “I wore it like this Christmas morning, and when I saw Mom’s pictures, I was mortified. A bun makes my nose look huge!”
Of course, she was always self conscious about her nose, bun or not.
Josiah’s eyes sparkled as he leaned in and rubbed his nose against hers. “You have the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen.”
Kate melted and reached up to cup his face in her hands. “When you say it like that, I believe it. I guess I’m just down on myself today.”
“We’re all allowed to feel that way sometimes,” he said, turning his face to press his lips to her palm. “I just want you to have hope. The show is still a week away.”
She sighed and dropped her forehead to his. “You’re right. I love you.”
He kissed her long and slow, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, too.”
