Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“Zane, I think that sounds amazing,” I say.
He offers me a small smile and glances at Alyssa. The silent bit of communication that passes between them shows a depth of emotion I recognize all too well. It’s the same expression I have on my face whenever I look at Cash. Zane is in love with her. And judging by the expression on her face, Alyssa returns that love a thousandfold. It makes my heart swell with joy for them both.
“Thanks. I think it will be,” Zane says.
“I’m proud of you, kid,” Cash says. “It sounds like you’ve really grown up and have mapped out your future.”
“We’re doing our best,” Zane replies.
“And it looks like you’ve found an incredible woman to navigate that future with you,” I add. “I’m really happy for you both.”
Zane raises Alyssa’s hand and places a kiss on the back of her knuckles, earning him a shy laugh and a face turning a shade of red not normally found in nature. It’s then that I notice the ring on her finger and turn to Cash. The light of pride on his face shining bright.
Cash clears his throat and looks at his son. “Zane, are you two—”
“No. Not yet. It’s a promise ring,” Zane says. “We want to get through school first, and once we’ve got ourselves established, we’ll make it more…formal.”
Alyssa looks at Cash with a concerned look on her face. “I know it must seem really fast and impulsive, but—”
Cash cuts her off with a shake of his head. “But when you know it’s right, it’s right,” he says. “It’s like I told Zane a while back, you—”
“Can’t control who you fall for,” Zane finishes with a smile. “You were right about that. And with Alyssa, it just feels right.”
“More than right,” she adds. “It’s perfect.”
Cash’s face turns red and his eyes shimmer like he’s about to cry. He manages to hold it in, but the smile on his lips is so wide, it’s practically splitting his face in half. He pulls himself together and raises his wine glass.
“Well then, to things being not just right, but perfect,” he says. “Cheers to you both.”
“Hear, hear,” I say and raise my glass.
And as the tinkle of glasses being tapped together sounds around the table, I turn to Cash, and my heart skips a beat or twelve. Even now, more than a year into our relationship, he still gives me butterflies. I still wake up every morning looking forward to the adventure of the day knowing there’s nothing I can’t accomplish with him by my side. I can’t imagine my life without him in it. More than that, I wouldn’t want to.
Alyssa said it perfectly. My life with Cash is not just right, it’s perfect.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
CASH
Three Years Later
Gritting my teeth, a low growl escapes me as I pace back and forth in the hospital waiting room, my gut tied in knots and my heart beating so fucking hard, it seems like it’s on the verge of exploding. I run my hand through my hair and the beads of sweat roll down my back as I lick my lips and swallow hard, trying to work some fucking moisture into the desert in my throat. In the corridor beyond the waiting room doors, doctors and nurses in pastel-colored scrubs run back and forth, their rubber-soled shoes squeaking sharply on the tile beneath their feet.
I glance at my watch for what seems like the hundredth time and groan when I see only four minutes have passed since the last time I checked it.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter to myself.
Time is crawling by, and my entire body is shaking like I’m holding onto a live wire. Back and forth, back and forth… I pace the waiting room so fast and furiously that I’m sure I’m going to wear a groove into the floor. The other people sitting around waiting to be seen cast furtive glances at me, as if I’m afraid I’m on the verge of a mental break. And to be fair, I can’t really blame them for it since I kind of think I might be. Or a heart attack. One of the two.
I try to resist doing it, but I check my watch yet again, cursing under my breath at the doctors for leaving me out here with no word and no idea how Cassie is doing.
“Dad.”
I raise my eyes to see Zane and Alyssa rushing through the door. They walk over to me, and we all exchange quick, tense hugs, the anxiety in their faces undoubtedly mirroring my own.
“How is she?” Zane asks.
“I have no idea,” I say. “The doctors haven’t told me shit.”
“I’m sure everything is fine,” Alyssa says, giving my hand a quick squeeze.
“You guys don’t have to be here. I know you’ve got important things to do with your café opening and all,” I say.