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If this costs me the trust fund, I don’t care. They need a wake-up call. Maybe Hudson and I didn’t know how to get them to love us before, to show that they loved us, but we’re adults now. I’ve lived without them long enough to know I’ll survive, but no one wants to think their parents don’t care about them.
“Let’s take the picture,” my father says tightly.
I wave him over, but he shakes his head.
“You see, son, we’re not the only ones to blame for the distance,” my mother says.
“You pushed us to this, Mom. You haven’t been kind or accepting. I know what you did to ruin Lex’s chances of getting the studio, making her pay more to buy it when you bid on it.” I lift my brow, jaw ticking. “Get off your high horses, or you’ll end up alone, just the two of you and your fake friends.” I shake my head, grabbing Sage’s hand and pulling her away.
When we’re a good distance from them, she digs her heels in and stops walking. My arm bounces like a rubber band, and I turn to face her. Her eyebrows dip and pull together. Does she think I was too harsh? She has a great relationship with her parents. She wouldn’t understand my family’s dynamic.
“Are you okay?” she whispers.
I nod silently.
“Are you sure? It took a lot of courage to stand up to them like that.” She steps closer.
“Do you think less of me?” I search her eyes.
She shakes her head, squeezing my arm. I pull her tight to me, wrapping my arms around her. Her hug consoles me. She makes me feel cared for as she runs a hand down my back. When her lips touch my jaw, I tense before turning my head and looking at her.
Our eyes clash, smoldering under the dim light. I lean forward, finally savoring her lips. I brush them softly. A chaste kiss that makes my heart drum wildly. Sage’s breath catches, and I take the opportunity to press my lips harder against hers.
She tastes sweet, like the buttercream frosting from the cake. My hand moves up, tangling in her hair as I kiss her harder.
Everything falls into place. The lost wanderer who always searched for the next best thing, the next group of people to help, has found his place. In the arms of this woman. In her soft breaths and touches. In her caring personality and wisdom.
I lean back, not pushing too far since we are surrounded by people. I stare into her eyes, searching for a sign that she might bolt. Instead, I find heat and peace swirling together. It’s an unusual combination that perfectly describes how Sage makes me feel.
“That was—“
“Perfect?” I finish for her.
“I was going to say off-script.”
“But perfect nonetheless.” I smile, brushing my thumb along her cheek.
“Yeah,” she breathes out.
“Good.” I exhale in relief. “I was worried.”
“About what? That I wouldn’t be a good kisser?” Her eyebrow arches.
“That you’d reject me,” I confess.
We’ve got a complicated situation, and I don’t want her to think that our arrangement is the cause for this. The way I feel about her has nothing to do with the money it can get me. Maybe it started that way, but Sage isn’t someone I can buy or exchange for a lump sum of money.
She shakes her head and looks down.
“Even if I wanted to, I don’t think it’s possible.” Her words make me smile.
“Good,” I say. “Very good.” My smile grows.
“Let’s go dance.” I tug her hand.
“Wait.” She holds me back. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m more than okay as long as you’re here with me.” It’s the truth, too. Even if my parents don’t come to their senses and have an epiphany, I’ll be okay.
