“It’s really nice to meet you. I’ve heard so many stories from Remington.” I smile at the two friends.
“Oh shit, don’t believe any of them.” Keller throws his head back on a laugh. “Come on over to my station, I have everything ready to go for you.”
Anxiety rolls through my gut.I’m really doing this?
Remington, knowing me so well, runshis hands up and down my bare shoulders, whispering, “You can do this, baby. And if you changed your mind, we can try again another day.”
His unwavering love and support, always giving me the freedom to choose what I want, gives me the courage to sit down in the chair next to Keller.
Hours later, inked up my spine in shades of black and grey, resting between my shoulder blades, is a beautiful peony flower in bloom, drawn for me by Remington. Woven into the stem of the flower in cursive is the word “worthy.”
Worthy.
I finally believe it.
Worthy of love.
Worthy of loving myself.
Worthy of accepting love and kindness from others.
Worthy of this life Remington and I are building together.
Bonus Epilogue
A wet dog nose pressed into my ear followed by a sloppy lick on the cheek wakes me up abruptly. Remington’s deep laughter comes from somewhere nearby, and I reach over finding his side of the bed cool and empty.
“Good boy, Ash,” Remington says.
I reluctantly pull myself from the last tether of sleep holding me down, open my eyes, and see the most handsome man filling our bedroom doorway. Remington’s smile is as blinding as the sun that is just starting to blaze into our room through the balcony doors. In his hands is a tray filled with the most delicious smelling breakfast, coffee for him, and tea for me.
“Mmmm,” I say. “This is a really nice surprise to wake up to. You and the breakfast, I mean. Ash’s nose in my ear, not so much.” I glance over at our very proud dog, goofy tongue floppy out the side of his mouth like usual.
“Well, to be fair, I asked him to go wake you up and he did an excellent job following directions. Hewasnumber one in his obedience classes for a reason.” Remington freaking winks at me as he walks to our bed.
Did I mention that he’s also shirtless? Blond hair perfectly mussed, muscles and every tattoo on full display ...I think he’s trying to kill me before the day even starts.
He sets the tray between us, picks up a freshly sliced strawberry off of the huge pile of French toast, and offers it to me. I open my mouth and gladly let him feed it to me, moaning as the tart berry runs over my taste buds. Our eyes locked on each other, licking the juice from his fingertips, Remington says, “Happy first wedding anniversary, Mrs. LeBlanc.”
Grinning, I lean in and kiss him. “Happy anniversary, Mr. LeBlanc. It’s been one of the best years of my entire life.”
“Mine, too, baby.” He cups my face, gently running his thumb across my jaw, my scar, and then down my neck.
“What is the plan for today?” I ask, sinking back into the pillows.
“Well, this.” He motions to the perfect breakfast he made us. “Then I was thinking we could take a shower together. Later we are going to pick up Gino’s and go to Eagle Point to watch the sunset.”
“Shower together, huh?” I say with a raised eyebrow.
“Yup, all about water conservation around here.” He smirks. “After we shower I have a surprise for you here though.”
“Ohh! Do I get a hint?” I fold my hands hopefully.
“Absolutely not.” He puts a forkful of scrambled eggs in his mouth, eyes filled with mischief.
“Well I guess we better hurry this along then,” I say, taking a big bite of my own French toast, holding back a smile while Remington laughs at me.
We in factdid nothurry anything along?—
