Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“I’m not too young to choose the path my life is going to take. I’ve never wanted to date, play the field, or any of that. I never thought I’d find anybody, but with Jax, I belong, Mom. I have a place. We fit together so perfectly, and now that I know nothing happened between you two, nothing is standing in our way.”
“Except me,” Mallory says.
Tension fills the room. It’s thick, the sort people cut with a knife. My editor advises avoiding phrases like that, anything that reeks of a cliché, but in this instance, it’s true.
Finally, Mallory smiles. “I can’t stand in your way. I’d have to be willfully ignorant to ignore the love you two clearly share. Jaxson, as for Luke… I think he would understand. He would approve as long as you keep your word by caring and providing for her and loving her. He often talked about hoping Zoey would find a husband who would treat her right. Who better than this best friend?”
Zoey seems suddenly giddy, her foot tapping as if she’s struggling to sit still.
“Mom, are you saying…”
Mallory’s smile widens. “I’m not going to stand in your way. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy.”
Zoey beams at me, and I smile right back. Finally, we can be together without worrying about everything blowing up.
CHAPTER 25
Zoey
I’ve got good news, Jax’s text reads. They arrested Axel on assault and robbery charges. Apparently, after our dustup outside your house last week, he went on a bender and caused a lot of problems for himself. He won’t be bothering you or your mom anytime soon.
I grin as I read his text, feeling Natasha’s eyes on me from the other side of the desk. We’re in our usual spot, but nothing feels usual about life in general. These past six days have been the sweetest of my life, spending so much time at Jax’s place, making love and having wild sex—sometimes we’re slow, sometimes we’re frantic—and talking books together.
We reviewed my notes, and each one was constructive, adding to my writing ability with Jax’s valuable and accurate insights.
That’s amazing news. I’ll tell Mom. She’ll be so relieved.
Nothing is stopping us now, he replies. We’ve got our lives ahead of us. I know it’s odd for a forty-year-old man to say, but I feel like a little kid filled with excitement for the future, knowing everything will be perfect. No… not knowing. WORKING to make YOUR life as perfect as it can be.
Well, that’s good because I plan on doing the same for you.
I almost finish the message with I love you, but I hold back. He hasn’t said it yet, though he did say it was love at first sight when he saw me. I heard it, didn’t I? I didn’t hallucinate, but we still haven’t exchanged those weighty words.
“I’m so happy for you,” Natasha says, adjusting one of her many bracelets. “I always wondered what you’d look like if you were in love, and now I do. You’re glowing, Zoey.”
I glow with joy, which isn’t saying anything new. I’ve beamed with joy since Mom revealed the truth about a silly drunken mistake that meant a lot to her and slammed into her with the force of a betrayal. She didn’t mean it. She never wanted him. Nothing ever happened between them.
“I’ve come so close to telling him I love him,” I murmur, “countless times. After we have sex, or when we’re in his library, reading together, but I can’t say it first.”
“Why not?”
I swallow. “He might not say it back.”
My phone buzzes, and Natasha laughs. “Go on. Check it.”
“I don’t want to be rude.”
“Don’t be silly. This is the happiest I’ve ever seen you. It would be rude not to check it in my book.”
I take out my phone again.
Wait for me after your classes are done. There’s something I need to say to you… in person.
What, texting isn’t good enough for you now? I reply.
Texting is what brought us together. It will always have a special place in my heart. I’ll always value it, but not for this, my perfect wife-to-be.
When he calls me his wife-to-be—and this isn’t the first time—I struggle to understand why he hasn’t dropped the L word yet.
I don’t know whether to be scared or excited, I reply.
Excited, I hope.
“He’s being very cryptic,” I mutter, “but I can’t imagine him doing anything to make my life worse, you know?”
Natasha stares at me, and I realize I haven’t filled her in on the text. Once I have, she nods slowly.
“I think I have an idea,” she says.
“What?”
She grins. “Nah-uh. If I’m right, I’d hate to ruin the surprise.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“I’d never forgive myself for getting your hopes up.”
Open any of my books, and what do you see on the first page?