Page 80 of Fought and Freed

As Maddy walked back through the kitchen, she glanced around. She’d like to cook in here.

When she pushed the outer door open, her eye zeroed in on Jace, who sat at one of the tables.

She hurried over. “Sorry I took so long.”

He stood. “Don’t worry about it. Are you ready for one more test?”

Her shoulders slumped. “I took them all, didn’t I?”

Jace gave her a crooked smile. “Not your driver’s permit test, you didn’t.”

Maddy’s eyes widened before she jumped forward to grab his hand and pull him toward the door. “Yeah! Let’s go!”

19

MADDY

“Are you okay, baby girl?” Jace cast her a concerned look. “You’ve been staring out that window, not saying anything for ten minutes. How were your tests?”

“Everything went great, other than Trisha showing up.” Maddy rolled her eyes.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “What the hell was she doing there?”

She picked at her nails. “Taunting me. Telling me I’m trash and don’t deserve to come back.”

“What a bitch.” He hit the steering wheel with his palm.

She giggled, remembering the encounter. “Yeah, but Mrs. Main, the dean’s secretary, put her in her place. It was so funny, Jace. Mrs. Main told her that karma was coming for her.”

Jace busted out laughing. “Oh, I would have loved to see that.”

He pulled into a parking spot and turned off the Jeep. “Ready?”

“Yep.” Maddy unbuckled her seatbelt. “Just one more test to beat.”

He leaned over and kissed her. “Good luck.”

They walked into the DMV and checked in.

Jace took a chair out in the waiting area while Maddy was ushered to a computer.

She sat, took a deep breath, and started the test.

There were eighteen questions, and she was only allowed to miss three, so she took her time and read each question twice before picking an answer.

She finished the test with only one question missed and stood with a massive smile to look at Jace and give him the thumbs up.

She then sat back down and waited to be called up to receive her permit.

Once Maddy was done, she jogged over to Jace.

He pulled her into a hug. “Congratulations, I knew you could do it.”

She laughed. “Can I drive home?”

“Not today.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and they walked out to his Jeep.

“Has Skylar talked to Amber since we’ve been home?” she asked as they headed away from the DMV.

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