Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“No,” she says, and gone is the joking tone. “Josie actually sent it to me and then asked if you were bringing Dart to her wedding.”
I’m unsure how to react to that, but I don’t think laughing would be respectful. “Josie sent you my post?”
“Yes, and I’ve sat on it all day, trying to figure it out. I saw he said he loved you, and none of us is sure if he was just being silly or if he was seriously proclaiming his love.”
I press my lips together. “Because a man like him would never be serious with me?”
“Tennessee Lynn, that is not what I mean,” she bites out. “Don’t be so defensive.”
“Mom, you just said y’all were talking about my post, which I assume was you, Josie, Lindy, and their mommas. And then you asked if he was being silly or serious, after I’ve had issues with Josie saying things just like that to me. So why wouldn’t I get defensive?”
“We weren’t gossiping, Tennie. We were just surprised you’d not only wear his jersey, but go ahead and post your relationship like that. I didn’t realize it was this serious already.”
I hate how my old insecurities flood my common sense. “I love him,” I say simply. “And he loves me. We’re in love. It’s serious.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. You didn’t tell me.”
“Because our love is for no one but each other,” I say, my eyes burning with tears. “I should probably tell you, I moved in with him too.”
“Lordy, Tennie!” she exclaims. “You’ve known him, what, a week total?”
“And I have never felt such love and support in my life. I am so unbelievably happy with him.”
“Well, darling, of course you are. It’s new and exciting—”
“No, this is real. This is us. He is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me and has been the ultimate, most amazing person to fall in love with.” I’m met with silence, and I wipe away a traitorous tear. “This is why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to make me feel stupid for what I know is everything to me.”
“Tennie, I don’t want you to feel stupid. I only want you to be smart about this and not just fall so deeply for someone you hardly know.”
“Mom, ten years with Denis, and he’s marrying the person who was supposed to be my best friend. Then Troy is a crazy person, and I knew him for two months before I committed to a relationship with him.”
“Those were bad choices, obviously, but you can’t feel this strongly for someone you hardly know in such a short amount of time!”
“Time means nothing when it comes to what your soul wants,” I say, getting up and starting to pace. “My soul is meant to be with his. His vibe, his heart, and his passion… He’s incredible, Mom. Everything he is and everything I am are meant to be one.”
“Lord Almighty, Tennie. Do you hear yourself? You’re just infatuated,” she accuses, and I shake my head. “I hate to say this, but this could very well be lust. And darling, I only say this because I don’t want you to get hurt. Sex can only last for so long.”
“It’s not only the sex, Mom,” I correct her, my face flushing. The sex is fantastic and everything I want, but I know it’s not only that. “It’s him. I never question if he loves me, cares for me, or anything like that. I am proud that he is mine, and Mom, he makes me feel like he is proud that I am his. I love him. Deeply.”
“Tennessee, darling, please don’t get caught up like that. Keep your wits.”
“My wits have done nothing for me,” I say, leaning on the counter, looking out at the ocean. “I’ve always been cautious, always stayed in the background—but not anymore, not when I know who I am and who I love.”
“Jesus me. I pray to God for your sake that this isn’t just a fling.”
I press my lips together to hold in my sob. “It’s not,” I say. “I know it’s not.”
“Okay,” she says, and I know she doesn’t want to fight with me. She thinks she’s right, and I know she’s not. I squeeze my eyes shut to keep the tears at bay. I refuse to let my insecurities and her words convince me otherwise.
I love him.
“Denis and Josie want to have the wedding when y’all come at the end of the month.”
My eyes fly open, and I squint at the door. “What do you mean?”
“They want you there. We all want you there. You, Lindy, and Josie are supposed to be dressed in orange and standing together for one another’s weddings.”
“I can promise you this, Momma, when I marry Dart, Lindy and Josie will not be standing beside me.”