Page 37 of Shifted

He stole my hand as we made our way towards the Caspar David painting. "Are we even?" he whispered to me.

“As long as I’m no longer your wife for the evening, Jones.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Hope Taylor

Four years ago

His nose grazed mine as we stood in the middle of the field. Dandelions surrounded us, desperate for wishes to be made as the sunset. "You make me happy, Hope." With that, our lips connected, and it was almost as if I saw stars from how dazed this man made me. He was like the King of my heart and wasn’t ever giving me back the key.

"I do, huh?" His hands snuck around my waist, pulling me to straddle him. "More than you know," I leaned my head down on his chest as he held me.

"Sometimes I wish we could just stay like this forever, you know?" I felt his lips press against my forehead as he nodded in agreement. “I do.” I wanted this, and I wanted us to last. I didn’t want just today or tomorrow. I wanted every day and night, with him beside me.

He released me, and we turned to the flat lanterns on the ground. “Are you sure this is safe?" His face showed a wide smirk. "Oh my god!" I playfully pushed him as he laughed.

"Don't fight me. Hope, I don't think you'd win." This man had no idea what I could truly do. That was for the best, I’m sure.

"You underestimate your opponent!" I knew exactly how to win, you sucker punch to the throat, throwing them off and sweep out the legs and take it from there.

"Fine," he prepared the lantern as we held letters in hand, “What does yours say?"

"What does yours say?" He countered, and I shook my head rapidly in response.

"Oh, the wish won't come true if you knew!" He shrugged.

"Guess the same rules apply to you." Now, this was just unfair. I mean, it was, but my brain said otherwise. “No fair!" I complained and stole his lantern from him, catching him off guard and reading it.

For Us to Last was written on the note inside. I glanced up at him and said, "Me too." I whispered, and then I felt his lips pressed against my neck.

"I love you, Hope."

?

Present

"So he was never engaged?" Bella sipped her wine and shrugged, "I thought when you said Michelle, you were referring to Theo? I was confused."

"You didn't find it weird I was calling your brother Michelle?" She shrugged again; it just seemed so weird. She knew exactly who I was talking about and now acted as if she was speaking about Theo. But I had called Theo long ago, and his fiancée Michelle answered. So maybe she misread things as well.

"You never talked about him with me, like ever? So I figured you just renamed him?" A knock came at the door, and Grayson walked over and opened it.

"Are you ready to go?" he asks. I look over to see Theo smiling at me. Awww, look who my square-dancing partner can be!" He jests, and I shake my head no. I don't think either of us could square dance.” I look at Bella and ask, “He's coming with us?" She bites her lip in response with a nod.

"What’s the drama you have with me, Hope?" he teased, leaning against the wall, waiting for my answer. Instead, I caught him eyeing my outfit.

"See, the list is too long to rehash right now. Let’s save it for a rainy day." I grabbed my purse, stood, and pulled Arabella off the couch.

"Is Reed meeting us there?" Bella questioned. She was just trying to stir the pot.

"You're still going out with him?” he says, surprised. “I told you he is bad news, Hope." I scoffed. I was sick of Theo’s unwanted input. He had nothing to back his claims, and he just kept on saying stuff with no evidence or explanation.

"With what evidence? He hasn't mistreated me at all. In fact, I really like him." He raised his hands. I turned to the door and instructed us all to take our leave.

?

Once we got there, I spotted Reed standing waiting outside the club doors beside the line. He smiled as he saw me, "I am loving this little black dress." His hands met my waist as he pulled me in for a quick kiss.

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