Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
She smiled knowingly. “It was right there all along.”
“What did she say?” Enzo asked, intrigued.
Beckett looked a little embarrassed. “I’d been ranting that there was no proof that people stuck around forever, that people leave when things get tough. And she pointed at you three guys and said, ‘There’s your proof right there.’ And she was right. Suddenly it was so obvious to me. During the ceremony I started to think about all the times we’ve been there for each other, how our whole families have always been there for each other. And it all just made sense. Feelings might not be a choice, but your actions are.” He looked at me. “And when I saw her about to walk away again, I made a choice and got on a chair.”
I couldn’t speak, I was so choked up, so I just tipped my forehead to his shoulder. He kissed the top of my head.
Blair sighed. “And they lived happily ever after.”
“You’re welcome,” Bianca said, picking up her wine glass. “Per cent'anni!”
“Per cent'anni!” everyone echoed.
“And fuck the Mavs,” added Beckett, Cole, Enzo, and Griffin all at once.
The women at the table exchanged an eye roll and a smile.
“To the ladies of old man baseball,” Cheyenne said, holding up her wine glass once more. “Because they’d be nothing without fans.”
“Yes!” Blair reached forward with her champagne flute and tapped it to Cheyenne’s. “And to book club! Just so Maddie knows, old man baseball isn’t the only thing we do around here.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Bianca added her martini glass and glanced at me. “How do you feel about teenage vampires, Maddie?”
I raised my glass. “As a matter of fact, I have always been Team Edward.”
Bianca grinned. “Welcome back to Bellamy Creek.”
Later that night, Beckett and I lay in each other’s arms as our breathing slowly returned to normal.
“Think we were loud?” I asked nervously, thinking of Mallory trying to sleep in the bunk room with Daisy and Elliott.
“I don’t care.”
“But your sister is—”
“After the lecture she gave me this afternoon, she deserves to be woken up by the sound of us having sex.”
I smiled. “What did she say?”
“She gave me the hard words. Called me some things.”
“Like what?”
“Scared and stubborn.” He paused. “And she was right.”
I kissed his chest. “You came to your senses in the nick of time.”
He gathered me closer. “I know you have to leave tomorrow. But when will I see you again?”
“As soon as I can get away.” I sighed. “I think Sam is supposed to have Elliott next weekend, but if Elliott hears I’m coming up here to visit, I know he’ll want to come with me.”
“He’s always invited.”
“Thanks.”
“Should we talk about what comes next?”
I propped my head up on one hand so I could look at him. “Right now?”
He laughed. “Yes. I know we won’t have all the answers right away, but I can tell you what I hope comes next.”
“Tell me.”
“I hope you can find a way to move back here.”
My heart fluttered. “Really?”
“Yes. I don’t want to pressure you, and I know it’s complicated with Sam and Elliott and your job, but anything I can do to make it easier on you, say the word.”
“You could start by giving me that reason I asked for,” I teased.
He chuckled and flipped over, turning me beneath him. “Because I want to be with you all the time. Because you make me happy. Because you belong here with me.”
“Here?”
“Right here.” He kissed me softly. “When you’re ready, I want you to live here with me. I want this to be your home. And Elliott’s.”
“You don’t think that’s rushing it?”
“I don’t care. I’m done being scared to make a mistake.”
My whole body tingled. “That sounds nice. But maybe you should talk to your dad about it first?”
“I will talk to him. But I have no doubt in my mind he’ll be happy about it. And even though he’d want you to spend all your time with him, I will hire someone. You could find another pediatric nursing job if you’d like.”
“We can worry about that down the road. I probably would find another pediatric nursing job, but there will be licensing issues to take care of first. And even if the move happens, I don’t think it will be right away.”
“You mean I have to be patient?” He frowned. “Fuck that.”
I laughed. “Yes. I need to talk to Elliott first. I have a feeling he’d love to live here, but I need to make sure of that before I even bring it up to Sam.”
“I understand.” His lips met mine again. “And if he doesn’t want to for some reason, we’ll deal with it. We’re still going to be together.”
“Maybe if we said Elliott could name his own goat . . .”
Beckett laughed and rolled onto his back, taking me with him. “He can name them all. I am not above bribing him with goats to have you with me.”