The next second, a warm, solid chest pressed against her back. Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her and the overcoat she wore into a tight, seamless embrace.
His hug held an undeniable strength, dispelling the bone-chilling cold from the window and attempting to banish the sorrow from her words.
"It won't!"
Julian Ford's voice rumbled from above her head. It was just two words, but they were delivered with iron-clad certainty—an almost obsessive resolve.
Josie froze for a moment, then couldn't help but turn in his arms and look up.
In the dim light, she could clearly see his face, so close to her own.
His face, usually handsome and refined, was now tinged with an unshakable weariness. There were faint shadows under his eyes, and a short layer of dark stubble covered his jaw. Far from diminishing his good looks, it added a certain grimness to his features.
