AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What,” she laughs, “me sneaking out of your place wearing your clothes.”
“No.” I lift my free hand and brush back the hair from her face. Leaning in closer, not caring if anyone saw the two of us, standing in my driveway, holding on to one another. “Everyone in this town seems to know what you haven’t yet figured out.” Zoey tries to tuck her chin and look down, but I use my thumb and nudge her upward, forcing her to see me. “They know I only bought that big house because one day I hope you and the girls share it with me.”
Her throats bobs as she swallows hard.
“They’ve seen how whenever you walk into a room, for me, everything else fades. Because you are the only woman I want. I’m in love with you, and I’m in love with your girls.”
Zoey’s eyes fill with tears and I move a little closer, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
“I want every single person in this town to see you leaving in my clothes.” She laughs against my lips. “Last night was incredible.”
She takes a deep breath.
“This isn’t sneaking to me; this is us announcing that we’re together.” I stare at her, hoping she understands what I am saying. “I don’t want to worry about what people think, and I don’t want to hide anything when it comes to you, Riley, or Regan. I’m in this for the long haul. This isn’t a past time and it sure isn’t a secret.”
She presses her lips into a tight line.
“Tell me you’re with me on this.” Because if she’s feeling a different way, I’m not sure how I’ll deal with it. “Tell me I’m not the only one that see’s forever for us?”
“I do,” she whispers hoarsely and relief washes over me. “But even though I feel it, it doesn’t make the fear disappear.”
“What are you scared of Zoey?” I drag my thumb over her jaw and across her lower lip. “Tell me so I can do everything possible to ease your worries.”
“I don’t know if there is anything you can offer, I think it’s up to me. I think I just have to stop waiting for the shoe to drop.”
Leaning in I rest my forehead to hers. “I’m here, baby.” I tell her, closing my eyes tight fighting the ache in my chest. The burning sensation that takes over, as I focus on breathing through it. “I’m never leaving again.”
Even if she and I didn’t work, and that thought kills me, I’ve found my home.
I’m never leaving Magnolia Grove again.
twenty-eight
. . .
Zoey
“I can’t cut it,” Regan says at my side and I look over noticing her waffle is one big square with several different attempted cut marks throughout. “It too hard,’” she complains with her brows furrowed in frustration.
“Here.” Before I get the chance to respond Jay reaches over and grabs her plate. “He takes a fork and knife and starts cutting it up for her. A smile takes over her face as she watches him.
He’s already cut up Riley’s, she has been hanging on his every word since we showed up at Gigi’s to get them. It’s adorable really how much she idolizes him. He of course seems oblivious, or maybe he just doesn’t want to bring attention to it.
“There you go, sweetheart,” he says as he lifts Regan’s plate and places it back in front of her. “Is that better?”
She nods her head staring at her plate. “What do you say?”
“Thank you.” Regan looks back at Jay with the biggest grin.
I’m in awe of him, trying my best to hold back. Honestly my stomach has been in knots since the three of us piled into his SUV and we pulled away from the curb.
Gigi standing on the porch waving as we left.
“What are you scared of Zoey?”
Giving myself over to him fully and then everything falling apart, that’s what I’m scared of. I told myself I would never place my happiness in another person’s hands again. I said I would never risk the hearts of my babies, but here I am. I’m falling in deep with Jay and I’m taking my girls with me. They love him, I can see it so clearly.
“Hey.” I glance up to find Jay watching me. “You okay?”
