Written in the Stars

Episode14

Joelien Point of View

After enjoying a delicious meal, Joelien and her cousin Lucas were both full and satisfied. Joelien helped Lucas clean up, and once they were done, Lucas made them both some hot cocoa. They carried their mugs to the living room and settled in to watch a movie.

While the movie played, Lucas grabbed a warm blanket and draped it over both of them. Joelien pulled her legs up onto the couch and nestled comfortably against her cousin’s arm. This is so much better than being alone, she thought. That old farmhouse had started to feel like a ghost house after her mother left, Driven disappeared, and her father passed away. Being here with Lucas felt warm and safe.

When the movie ended, Lucas reached for the remote. “Want some more cocoa?” he asked, switching to the next channel.

“Well, if you’re making some, I won’t say no,” Joelien replied with a smile. She was a big sucker for chocolate, and hot cocoa was one of her weaknesses.

Lucas grinned and stood up. “I’ll make us another cup.” He picked up their empty mugs and headed to the kitchen.

Joelien smiled to herself. Her cousin was just like her — he loved chocolate too. If she ever wanted to spoil him, all she had to do was buy him some good chocolate.

As she sat on the sofa waiting, her phone suddenly buzzed. Joelien frowned and picked it up. Her eyes widened when she saw the message was from Josh. Her heart skipped a beat as memories from that morning came rushing back. She had completely forgotten about him after everything that happened with Driven.

She unlocked her phone and opened the message:

“Jo, we need to talk. After what happened this morning… we both said we love each other. It’s crazy because now I can’t stop thinking about you. I don’t know what this means for us.”

Her heart pounded. She had told him she loved him. Heat rushed to her cheeks as flashes of the morning replayed in her mind — the way he kissed her, the way his body moved over hers, the sounds she made as he made love to her. She could almost still feel him. The way how she felted when he was inside her and move deeper in her. His bare skin against her body.

Taking a deep breath, she replied:

“You’re right, we do need to talk. I don’t know what this means for us either, but what I said was true. I do love you, Josh. You were my first, and I’ll always love you. I’m just scared of taking this step.”

She hit send, feeling a heavy weight settle in her chest. It had been years since her divorce from Driven. Saying “I love you” to another man — and being intimate with someone other than him — still felt strange and new.

Her phone buzzed again almost immediately. It was Josh.

“I know I hurt you back then. I’m sorry for what I did. But I’m older now, and I’ve grown. I don’t want to lose you again, Jo. You’re my everything. I love you too much to let you slip away. If you want, I can come over to your place tomorrow so we can talk properly. We can’t just leave this hanging when we both feel the same way.”

Her heart swelled. Her cheeks burned, and a light sweat broke out on her forehead. She threw the blanket off, suddenly feeling too warm. Josh always knew exactly what to say. It was the same when they first dated — no wonder she had fallen so hard for him.

She was about to reply when she heard Lucas’s footsteps approaching. Quickly, she typed:

“We can talk tomorrow. I’m staying with my cousin Lucas tonight. I’ll be home tomorrow and I’ll text you when I’m ready. You’re right — we need to discuss this. I love you too, Josh. I keep thinking about this morning as well. Good night.”

She sent the message and locked her phone just as Lucas walked back into the living room with two fresh mugs.

“Here you go,” he said, handing her one.

“Thank you,” Joelien replied softly, taking the warm mug. She brought it to her lips and took a small, comforting sip.

She hoped whatever was happening between her and Josh would turn out differently this time — that it wouldn’t end like before, with him leaving without even saying goodbye.

Lucas sat down beside her, grabbed the remote, and started searching for the next movie.