Page 149 of Forgive You

Jason gives me a dull expression, cocking an eyebrow while his hands slide below my shirt. “And you’re good at it, but let’s be honest, it’s not what youwantto do, is it?”

I don’t think working for NVS was really anything I ever wanted to do in general. It was just a change of scenery, an opportunity to get out of the state, and I took it with open arms.

Being a brand manager is fun, and I loved working with Ford. I enjoyed seeing the other side of the marketing campaigns, but it’s not my passion. It’s not the thing I live and breathe to do.

It’s real estate.

My heart bounces, and a sly grin moves my cheeks. “No, it’s not.”

“I bet your dad is dying to get you back in the office.”

A warmth spreads across my torso, spurred on by hope. “You think so?”

“No, I know so. I already talked to your dad. He can’t wait to have you back.”

“Jason,” I squeal, and then it dawns on me. “This isn’t really a question, is it?”

One hand grabs my neck before he kisses me vigorously. It hits my nervous system from head to toe, settling my abdomen.

“It’s not. Unless you have some big arguments about why we should stay, we’re moving back.”

I press my forehead against his, the salt of the ocean on his skin lingering in my nose.I love him. I would be happy with him wherever we live, but when I look deep into my heart, I love him even more for anticipating what I really want. For seeing it before I did.

“Are you sure about this?” I whisper, and he smiles.

“Baby, I’m happy when you’re happy, and I know moving back and starting our own family back on the East Coast will make you happier than anything. Besides, all our friends and family are there. Why wouldn’t we move back?”

“You wouldn’t be surfing anymore every day.”

He shrugs. “All I hear is a lot of boys’ trips to the Outer Banks, then coming home to you.”

Excitement bubbles in my core because, fuck yeah, I wanna move back home.

I yelp, throwing my arms around him with enough force to knock us back onto the beach. Jason groans, and we both laugh while I’m lying on top of him.

“Is that a yes?” He chuckles.

“Yes.” I kiss him. “Yes!” Another kiss. “Yes!” I repeat as I shower him with kisses, before they turn into slow, well thought out pecks that relax him underneath my body.

I move my lips to his jaw, then continue a path down his neck, and everything underneath me turns soft, except for the area covered by his swim shorts.

“Baby?” I let out a hum in response. “I love you, you dirty girl, and I’d also love to spin us around and have my way with you at the beach, but it’s not even a little dark yet and there are still kids playing around.”

I lift my head up, glancing to the left when I lock eyes with the kids running up and down the beach, then stifle my laugh against his chest.

“Let’s go, baby.” He taps my thigh, and I get to my feet, holding out my hand for him.

“We’re really doing this?” I ask when he’s up and steals another kiss.

“Yeah, we’re really doing this.”

“When?”

“We could go look for houses when we’re there next month for Logan’s birthday. How does that sound?” he suggests, and I nod eagerly. “Good.”

My phone vibrates in the back pocket of my shorts, and I fish it out.

I laugh when I open the photo sent by Ford. He’s duck-facing toward the camera with his sunglasses on, an ice cream in both hands, one for him, the other being devoured by Mutt.

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