playboy | joshler ✓

- twenty three -

please don't make overly rude comments on debby, please please please

you can express dislike but hold back from saying overly rude things

besides this is a joshler/tysh story, not a jebby story

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Loud laughter came from Josh and Debby, Debby even leaning forward a little from how hard she was laughing. She set a hand on Josh's lower thigh, by his knee, and patted him. Between laughs, she said, "That was your worst one yet, oh, God."

Josh laughed, tongue peeking out between his teeth and eyes squinting. He set a hand over Debby's, squeezing her hand good-naturedly. "I still see you laughing," he observed.

Debby shook her head, wiping away tears from her eyes. "Kind of hard not to, with how bad that joke was." She downed the rest of her drink.

Josh, to his surprise, didn't let go of Debby's hand; he had forgotten how fun it was to be around the girl, and he was enjoying himself far more than he would if he'd have stayed home, painting.

"Hey, do you still have your cat?" Josh asked out of nowhere.

Debby nodded. "I'd never kick my Bastet out. I love her too much."

"Could I go see her? I haven't had contact with a cat in like a year. I may be having withdrawals."

Debby burst out laughing, but she nodded. "Sure, once the party's over."

"Okay," Josh said. He stood up. "I want to get some fresh air, it's getting sticky in here."

Debby slid off the stool as well, smiling. "There's a balcony right over there." She pointed to the area. "Want me to show you?"

"Yeah, sure." Josh nodded; since him and Debby were still holding hands, she began to tug him over to the direction, and Josh stumbled to keep up. He was buzzing from the alcohol he drank with Debby, and he felt pretty content.

Finally the two walked out onto the balcony, both shivering in the strong winter wind. Josh had his coat and the blazer on from his suit, so he handed Debby his coat.

"Thanks," Debby said as she draped it on her shoulders. It was a little too big on her, but she didn't mind as long as she got some warmth. It was actually unseasonably warm, so it didn't feel so bad.

"So, anything hectic or chaotic about your life so far?" Debby questioned, leaning against the cool iron bar.

"Oh, yeah." Josh nodded. "Tons of stuff."

"Like what?" She pressed.

"Uh . . . it's kind of hard to explain." Josh chuckled, looking down at the ground that was several hundred feet down.

"I think I can understand," Debby shrugged. "I got into an abusive relationship."

Josh frowned. "Oh, that's terrible."

"It's okay, I broke up with her." Debby shrugged. Josh tried to not linger on the 'her'.

"Oh, well, I was in a relationship with this guy who had a wife all along." Josh stated.

Debby raised an eyebrow. "Really? Wow. What a douchebag."

"Yeah, definitely." Josh laughed.

The two fell into comfortable silence, and both stared either at the ground and the street swathed with lights and people or the stars that twinkled in the sky.

Josh glanced over at Debby, who had coincidentally been also looking at him. Before either could register what was happening, Josh reached out and pulled her in for a kiss. It was short, and both pulled away at the same time.

"Sorry." Josh said awkwardly.

Debby grinned. "You want to make Tyler jealous that bad, huh?"

Josh let his hand drop from Debby's cheek ."What?"

"I'm not dumb, Josh." She chuckled. "I know you're trying to get back at him."

Guilt overrode Josh. "Sorry, I didn't - "

"It's okay," she interrupted. "I'm game for any plan you have to get him riled up."

Josh stood there for a second. "Really?" He said, dumbfounded.

"Sure," Debby shrugged. "He can't fire me, because I'm already leaving. And I think he deserves a taste of his own medicine. After flirting with so many, he should know what it feels like."

A grin blossomed on Josh's face. "So you're willing to play dirty with me then?"

"Sure. Just don't make me fall in love with you again." She joked. "I don't know how willing I am to be the side hoe."

Josh laughed, knowing that she was simply joking. "You're my new best friend."

Debby gasped dramatically. "Heck, no, that's Audrey's position. I'll be the second best friend."

Both laughed, and Josh put an arm around her shoulders and began to lead her inside. "Deborah Ann, you're a godsend right now."

"Yeah, I am pretty cool." She poked his side, and set a loose arm around Josh's waist. "Now, what's the plan?"

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oops short chapter sorry

but the next chapter(s) are gonna be entertaining so yeah