Page 189 of Always You

I didn’t decide that I was going to stop fighting just yesterday. I decided it the day she and I finally worked through our shit, and she gave me another chance.

There was nothing in LA for me.

Everything I need is right here in the form of a sassy dirty blonde with blue-green eyes you can drown in.

“I love you, babe,” I hum against her hair.

“I love you,” she whispers, then jumps up, making me groan at the loss of her touch.

“We should celebrate! Let’s invite Jason and Julie? Have a dinner party? I’ll cook.”

I rub my hand over my face, looking at my girl clapping like my own personal cheerleader.

“How about we just order in, and you can make us some cocktails?”

“Even better!”

“Just keep the girls outside,” I hiss to Jason, who’s rolling his eyes at me.

“I can’t believe you seriously bought a dog.” He takes a sip of his mojito, shooting me a dull look. “Who’s going to take care of that thing?”

“I am, duh.”

“You’re seriously going to leave me all alone in LA?”

“I already did, didn’t I?”

“I kinda thought you’d come back, eventually. Maybe with Charlotte.” He pouts.

I shove him aside, not buying his theatrics.

“No, you didn’t.”

“Nah, I didn’t. But I’m not ready to move out. I’m keeping the house. It’s only fair now that you’re divorcing me.”

“I’ve paid for the lease until the end of the year. After that, you’re on your own.”

“You dumbass,” he snickers. “I’m only joking.”

“I’m not,” I say with a straight face, resulting in him looking at me in shock.

“You didn’t seriously pay for the rest of the year?”

“I did. I owe you a lot, Jay. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. Hell, I might even be married to the wrong girl.” I pull a face, horrified by the thought.

“No, you wouldn’t, because I would’ve sabotaged that damn wedding. Thank fuck you saw the light. Can’t wait for the two of you to finally tie the knot. It’s about fucking time. Even though I don’t know why Charlotte is giving an asshole like you another shot,” he jokes, sticking out his tongue.

“Shut up, and just keep them there or there will be no knot to tie.” I walk upstairs to the guest bedroom. Quietly, I open the door, grabbing the big red bow off the dresser before approaching the puppy sleeping on the bed. When he notices me entering the room, his tail starts to wiggle, then he gets up, stretches himself, and slowly approaches me.

“Hey, little buddy. How are you? Are you ready to meet your new mommy?” I pet the head of the little Leonberger, ruffling his fluffy fur with my nails.

“Come on,” I say, placing the bow on his collar, then scooping him up in my arms. When I walk downstairs, my heart starts to race in my ribcage, suddenly feeling nervous as fuck. Heat flushes my neck, and I take a few deep breaths before I enter the kitchen, trying to calm down.

Walking toward the screened porch where everyone is seated, I call out to Charlotte.

“Babe?”

“Yeah?” she replies, glancing at the porch door.

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