“I can do that.”
Shepley’s lips were full and soft. He had an air of nervousness and inexperience, but the way he kissed me told a different story. He pecked my mouth once, lingering for a bit, before pulling away, and then he kissed me again.
“Is it true?” he whispered. “That fast girls don’t usually stick around for long?”
“That’s the thing about being fast. You don’t know what you’ll do until you do it.”
He exhaled. “Just grant me a favor,” he said between kisses. “When you’re ready to walk away, try to let me down easy.”
“You first,” I whispered.
He laid me back onto the blanket, finishing what I’d started.
Shepley
America looked like an angel, pressing the phone to her ear, tears glistening down her face. Even if they weren’t happy tears, she was still nothing less than beautiful.
She tapped the screen and held her cell in the space between her crisscrossed legs. The thick hot-pink case lay on the bed of her elegant fingers and long olive-green skirt, reminding me of our first date—which happened to be the first day we’d met … along with a few other firsts. I’d loved her then, but I loved her even more now, seven months and one breakup later, even with smudged mascara and bloodshot eyes.
“They’re married.” America breathed out a laugh and wiped her nose.
“I heard. I guess the Honda is at the airport then? I can drop you off and follow you back to the apartment. When does their flight get in?”
She sniffed, getting flustered with herself. “Why am I crying? What is wrong with me? I’m not even surprised. Nothing they do surprises me anymore!”
“Two days ago, we thought they were dead. Now, Abby is Travis’s wife … and you just met my parents for the first time. It’s been a big weekend, baby. Don’t beat yourself up.”
I touched her hand, and she seemed to relax, but it didn’t last for long before she bristled.
“You’re related to her,” she said. “I’m just the friend. Everyone is related but me. I’m an outsider.”
I hooked my arm around her neck and pulled her into my chest, kissing her hair. “You’ll be part of the family soon enough.”
She pushed me away, another bothersome thought floating around in her pretty little head. “They’re newlyweds, Shep.”
“So?”
“Think about it. They’re not going to want a roommate.”
My eyebrows pulled in. What the hell am I going to do?
As soon as the answer popped into my mind, I smiled. “Mare.”
“Yeah?”
“We should get an apartment.”
She shook her head. “We’ve talked about this.”
“I know. I want to talk about it again. Travis and Abby eloping is the perfect excuse.”
“Really?”
I nodded.
I watched patiently while the possibilities swam behind her eyes, the corners of her mouth curling up more every second.
“It’s exciting to think about, but in reality—“
“It’ll be perfect,” I said.
“Deana will hate me even more.”
“My mom doesn’t hate you.”
She eyed me, dubious. “Are you sure?”
“I know my mom. She likes you. A lot.”
“Then let’s do it.”
I sat in disbelief for a moment and then reached for her. It was already surreal—the fact that, all weekend, she had been in the home where I’d grown up, and now, she was sitting on my bed. Since the day we’d met, I’d felt like reality had been altered. Miracles like America just didn’t happen to me. Not only had my past and unbelievable present intertwined, but America Mason had just agreed to take the next step with me. Calling it a big weekend would be an understatement.
“I’m going to have to find a job,” I said, trying to catch my breath. “I have a little money saved up from fights, but considering the fire, I don’t see any fights happening anytime soon, if ever again.”