Page 79 of Such A Bad Girl

I’d been so wrapped up in getting everything together that I’d forgotten to call Everleigh.

I knew she must be worried sick, so I dialed her number and broke out into a huge smile when she answered.

“Theo!” She cried.

“Hey baby,” I said. “Are you in bed?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “I’ve been worried about you. Are you okay? West didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No, he didn’t,” I replied. “I’m fine. Promise. I did tell him how I felt about you.”

“Oh, wow. What did you say?”

“I told him that I love you and I intend to spend the rest of my life making you happy. If you’ll have me.”

“Oh, baby,” she sighed. “That’s huge. How did he take it?”

“Not well, honestly,” I admitted. “But I think he just needs some time.”

“Well, the fact that he didn’t murder you speaks volumes.”

“That’s a great glass half full attitude,” I said, laughing.

Her laughter through the phone filled my heart. I couldn’t wait to get back to her.

“I miss you,” she said.

“I miss you, too,” I replied.

She yawned and giggled. “Sorry, babe,” she murmured.

“You’ve had a long day, babe. Get some rest. I’ll come over in the morning.”

“Promise?” she asked.

I’d have promised this woman anything.

“Promise.”

“Sweet dreams,” she said, yawning again.

“Sweet dreams, beauty,” I replied. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Theo,” she said. The click of the phone sounded in my ear and I sighed with relief.

Everything was going to be okay.

Driving down I-10 with my windows open, I welcomed the cool salty air. Despite a slight twinge of nervousness, I was excited.

Everything in my life was changing for the better.

Once I was over this last hurdle, Everleigh and I would be free to start our life together in each other's arms. We hadn’t had time to talk about it yet, but I knew from the way she looked at me while we were wrapped up in each other's arms earlier that she felt the same way.

West — and whoever this mystery lady was — were the only things standing in our way. Nothing a whole bunch of money couldn’t eliminate. As for West, I was convinced he just needed some time, considering I was still breathing.

I turned up the radio and let the memory of Ev’s gorgeous body dance in my head for the next half hour, happiness settling deep in my bones.

Chapter Fifty-Four

---