Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“There you are,” he says, coming out of the bathroom. “I started the shower for you.”
“Are you getting in with me?”
He grins. “I was hoping you’d ask.”
We face one another, neither of us saying a word. It’s a relief to be able to breathe while in each other’s space without feeling strangled or pressured or prodded.
It’s a relief to have my friend back—my best friend. I just won’t tell Billie.
Jack is happy when I allow him in my life—from burgers to baths to decisions. I’m happy, and excited, at the opportunity to get more involved in his world too.
I fight a grin. “Hey, when do you go to Vegas?”
“Next week.” He looks at me warily. “Why? Do you want me to stay home? Because I can.”
“No. I was thinking that maybe I could fly out for a couple of days, and we could hang out.”
Jack’s grin turns into a wide smile. “Really? Are you serious?”
“I have a lot of stuff to move around, but I can swing it for a couple of days.” I swoon as he takes me into his arms. “You only live once, right?”
He presses a sweet kiss to my lips. “If you live more than once, I hope I get to live them all with you.”
Me too, Jack.
Me too.
EPILOGUE
LAUREN
Eleven months later . . .
You promised me you wouldn’t be late, Jack.”
Sun streams through the kitchen windows. The glitter covering the banner tacked above the archway into the living room sparkles in the light. Balloons in green and gold cover the ceiling in Maple High’s school colors.
Friends and family will be arriving at any moment, ready to celebrate Michael’s high school graduation. A cake sits proudly on the console table in the eat-in kitchen, and the main table is prepped for gifts and cards. The island is packed with finger foods and hors d’oeuvres.
The only thing missing is my husband.
“Jack?” I ask, sighing into the phone.
“Lo, I’m sorry.”
“I know, but—”
“But this isn’t my fault.” He chuckles. “You kept me up all night with your sexy little ass. Then you had me take your car this morning. I went by the shipping depot and sent your boxes to California. Then I picked up ice for the party, and I’m now leaving the shop because I haven’t been there in a week, and I still have their payroll checks. Oh, and your car is empty. I have to make a quick stop to fill up the tank.”
God, I love this man.
“Being your personal assistant is tough. I want a raise,” he says.
Could be fun. “Can I pay you in sexual favors?”
“Mom. Really?” Maddie comes into the kitchen, rolling her eyes. “I almost liked it better when the two of you didn’t like each other.”
I laugh. “I’ll see you when you get here, Jack.”
“Love you, Lo.”
“Love you, Jack.” I end the call. “Where’s your grandpa?”
Maddie picks up a baby carrot and slides it through the veggie dip. “He and his bestie Snaps are out for a walk. Did you know Pops bought the dog a green bandanna to match the party today?”
I grin.
“Also, please remind Daddy not to embarrass me when Theo gets here. He doesn’t need to mean-mug him or anything. Theo is a nice guy.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.” She bebops out of the room, evidently satisfied with my answer.
I pour a glass of tea and wander around the house. It’s quiet, which is unusual. Between me, Jack, Harvey, the kids, and their friends, there’s never a dull moment. And now that my business has picked up even more and Jack is spending two days a week at home helping out, it’s even more chaotic.
But so amazingly perfect.
I worried that Jack’s stepping back from the shop would make him resent me later. I tried to talk him into staying there, riding it out until the kids were out of school. We’d make it, I promised. We’d figure it out.
But he was having none of it. His mind was made up, and I eventually caved. To my surprise, he seems to revel in his new role in the family. He calls himself my “trophy husband,” which I find hilarious.
Yet it’s also kind of true.
“What are you doing?” I ask, laughing at Billie as she comes through the back door. “My lord, woman. What did you bring?”
She sets four bags on the table and sighs. “I didn’t know what kind of a gift to get Michael, so I got four.”
“Um, that’s overkill.”
“He’s my godson—unofficially. Sort of.” She waves a hand in the air. “I’m the one he’ll call if he gets arrested while in college. Or if he’s drunk. I have to keep those lines of communication open, even if I have to buy his love.”
“He’ll be fine. Ava will keep him in line.”
Michael and Ava were thrilled to get accepted into the same college. They’ll both be living on campus in the fall and have lots of plans for their first year living away from their parents. I’m relieved that they’ll have each other there to lean on. What the two of them have is really special. I love it for them.