Page 173 of Always Us

He shrugs. “Somewhere in Florida. He likes warm weather and hanging out on the beach.”

“You’re funny.” I smile and rest my head on his shoulder. “I love you.”

He kisses my head. “I love you, too.”

And just like that, he’s calmed me down. I was a nervous wreck just a few minutes ago and now I’m relaxed and imagining a big white bird sunbathing on the beach in Florida. I love that he can calm me down like that. It’s like he senses what I need and knows just what to do.

Garret rests his head back and reclines a little. The armrest between us is up and I let go of his hand and he instantly raises his arm so I can sneak in my spot against his chest. He lowers his arm over me and it relaxes me even more. I close my eyes and imagine those kids the stork is bringing us. Now that I know I want kids, I get really happy when I think about having them.

I fall asleep, and when I wake up, we’re back in California. Garret’s leaning over, looking out the window.

“We’re almost there.” He rubs my hand. “See? It wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“The plane? No, it was good. But isn’t this against the rules? I mean, isn’t taking your dad’s plane like taking his money?”

“He’s not giving it to us. He’s just letting us use it.”

“I know, but still.”

“If it wasn’t okay, he wouldn’t have let us use it. Besides, I get the feeling they won’t be as strict on the rules now that they know who you are.”

I smile. “I thought we weren’t talking about them anymore.”

“You’re right. We’re not. Talk about something else.”

I glance out the window and see nothing but tree tops. “I’m getting nervous.”

“Don’t be. The landing is as smooth as the takeoff. My dad has really good pilots.”

I feel the plane starting its descent. I sit back and close my eyes and feel Garret’s lips on mine. He’s distracting me so I relax during the landing. And it works. I get so into his kiss, I barely notice the wheels touching down.

When the plane comes to a stop, I open my eyes and see Garret smiling at me. “We’re home. You ready to go?”

“Yeah.” I smile back, realizing that we really are home. This is our home. We’re going to stay here in California and build a house and have a family.

After all the obstacles that have been thrown at us, I was starting to think that our dream would never happen. But now I feel like it finally will. Garret and I are going to have what we always wanted. A life together. Without any more interference.

“Jade, are you coming?” Garret’s standing in the aisle of the plane, looking down at me in my seat.

I stand up and hug him. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He kisses me. “Let’s go home.”

Home. Garret and I have a home. Together. And I finally feel like nobody’s going to take it away from us.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

38

GARRET

Wednesday morning, Jade and I drive to LA and check into the hotel we got downtown. I wore a baseball cap and sunglasses and so far nobody’s recognized me. I don’t think anyone will, but Jade’s all worried about it.

We meet up with Sean and Harper at Sean’s apartment. It’s a small one bedroom, not much different than the one he had in Connecticut. As soon as we get there, Harper takes Jade out to the patio and tells Sean and me to stay away so they can have girl talk. Whenever she says that, it always makes me wonder what this ‘girl talk’ is exactly. I’m guessing they’re talking about Sean and me.

“So how’s it going?” I ask Sean, taking a seat on his couch.

“Couldn’t be any better.” He’s got this huge grin on his face, showing off his dimples. “I got my girl back. And now she’s living with me.”

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