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Maddie opens her mouth to answer, but Veronica pushes on.
“I’m not talking about the feelings. The lovey-dovey stuff. In practical terms, considering everything that comes along with a commitment like this, are you ready?”
“Yes,” Maddie says. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my entire life. I swear, Mom, I want this. You know I’ve always wanted kids early. I don’t see the harm in committing to that. Not now that I’ve found the man of my dreams.”
“And you?” Veronica asks me. “Is Maddie the woman ofyourdreams?”
“I’ve waited my entire life to feel one-tenth of what she makes me feel. To share one-tenth of the warmth. When I saw her, I knew the waiting was worthwhile. I knew that, without her, I’d rather spend the rest of my life alone. She’s the woman for me, the only one. There’s no doubt about it.”
Veronica nods, her smile widening. “Then screw the press. Screw the gossip mill. Screw other people’s opinions. If you want it, chase it like one of your stories. I won’t stand in your way.”
Maddie leaps from the couch and walks across the room, pulling her mom into a hug. Veronica laughs in delight and wraps her arms around her daughter. Over Maddie’s shoulder, Veronica gives me a look. The wordless message is clear.
Take care of her.
I nod. I always will.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Madison
A week after we told Mom the truth, Jacob walks into our apartment.Hisapartment, I correct myself, though he’s told me countless times I can think of it as mine, too. The day after we told Mom, I stayed the night, and I’ve never left.
Slowly, I’ve been moving my stuff here. It’s heaven waking up to Jacob every morning, nuzzling close to him every night.
There’s speculation in the media, people wondering who I am and what Jacob and I are to each other. Without the deal at stake—since Trent nuked it the second he published the photos—Jacob doesn’t care.
“Let them gossip,”he said a couple of nights ago.“We have each other. They have their pathetic rumors.”
I stand when Jacob walks into the living room wearing his work gear. I’ve spent the day working on my website, paying attention to a few smaller pieces submitted by my readers.
When Jacob told me I could quit my waitressing job, I said no. I didn’t have to. Honestly, it didn’t take much persuading, especially when he said,“I’m your man. Your future husband. I’m going to provide for you always.”
He strides over to me and sweeps me into his arms. He does this every day as if he can’t wait to kiss me. We sink together, savoring the contact, savoring the steamy closeness. We’ll never stop wanting this. We’re incapable of stopping.
“It’s over,” he says, holding me tight once the kiss is done. “The deal’s finally buried. We ate a lot in legal fees, but so did Trent, and now he’s got a watchdog on his ass for journalistic malpractice, not to mention the fact he was taking those dogs to run underground dog fights if you can believe it. He’s got a long, hard road ahead of him.”
“How does it end?” I ask.
“Most likely, he’ll have to step down as CEO. He might even do some jail time. Hopefully, somebody with more integrity will take his place. Either way, it will go public eventually. His stock is already falling because of the dog situation.”
“Publishing those photos was the stupidest thing he’s ever done.”
“Agreed, but I’m glad he did, on some level.”
“Why?” I ask, shocked.
“Because now the whole world knows you belong to me. Anybody who’s ever met me knows I’m off the table, and the same goes for you.”
“Not that many people were—”
I’m about to offer up a self-hating comment, but Jacob interrupts me with a kiss.
“What did I say about putting yourself down, eh?” he says.
I grin. “Sorry. It’s going to take some getting used to.”
“Iwantthe entire world to know we’re together,” he says, “which is why I’m taking you on a ride.”
