Page 89 of Unravel Me

“And the best part,” Sawyer says as he joins us, “I’m crashing at Reid’s so you two get the house to yourself to catch up and spend uninterrupted time together.”

My heart soars. How did I get so lucky to get a second chance at life with this man?

The party winds down and Sawyer kicks everyone out. I still can’t believe he did all of this for me. I’ve never had a surprise party before, and having everyone come out for it made me feel accepted back here in a way that I never could have imagined. Zoe walks down the hallway to the guest bedroom to give us a moment of privacy, which I’m thankful for. I walk right into his open arms.

“Thank you for all of this. Especially for getting Zoe here. This has been the best birthday I've had in a really long time. Longer than I care to admit, actually.”

“You deserve the best, Iv. That’s all I want for you.” He holds my face in both of his palms and tilts my head back to angle me just how he wants me. His lips swipe back and forth over mine in a gentle caress before he kisses me firmly. It’s sweet and tender, but not lacking an ounce of the passion that that is always simmering between us. He pulls back and pecks me twice on the lips before planting one on the center of my forehead.

“Have the best time tonight. Zoe’s awesome. I love you, baby.”

“Thank you. I love you.”

Sawyer grabs his backpack and heads out the front door to go to Reid’s house for the night. His thoughtfulness knows no bounds and I’m still stunned by the extent he went to make me feel special today. I haven’t spent a night away from him since arriving in Aspen Ridge and hate to see him go, but I couldn’t be more excited to spend the night with my best friend.

I join Zoe on the guest room bed and she dumps two plastic bags out in front of us. All of our favorite snacky junk food sits infront of us. I snatch up the bag of Chex Mix and rip it open. “You look so much happier, babe.”

“Do I?”

“Yeah. I kinda hate to say it. It’s actually super rude of you.” I laugh at her.

“How so?”

“Cause, now you’re going to stay here in this little town and I’m going back to the city.”“I know. I hate that part, too. But, Zo, it’s like two and a half hours. It’s not the end of the world. We’ll see each other. You think I’m down for just letting you walk out of my life forever? Nope. Fuck nope. You know too much; you’re stuck with me.” Now it’s her turn to laugh.

“Good. Cause you’re stuck with me too. Now, tell me all the juicy things. He fucking you senseless yet?”

“Uhm, yes. Every chance he can get.”

“Better than when you were teens?” She shoulder bumps me because she knows the answer by the look on my face.

“On a different planet. The connection has always been wild between us, Zo. Electric. That’s still there, but times a thousand. It’s intense. And so addicting.”

“God, where can I find some of that? I’ll take male or female, either works for me. Just find me that connection, please. I want that can’t live without you shit.” She makes prayer hands and closes her eyes, sending up her pleas to whatever gods that be.

“You’ll find it when you least expect it, Zo. It’ll be incredible once you do. And who knows, knowing you, you’ll probably find both and end up in some wickedly hot throuple situation.”

“Gods. One can only hope, right? One of each sounds like heaven.” She smacks my leg. “C’mon! Manifest it with me!”

“Fine, you weirdo.” I close my eyes and grab her hands. “Zoe is going to find both a man and a woman, who are both equally obsessed with her, deliver her with all the mind-blowing orgasms, are faithful, and super uber sexy. Happy, lunatic?”

“Very.”

“Alright, help get these nasty rye chips out of my way, and I’ll put onThe Office,” I say as we get comfortable in the bed together. We spend the rest of the night eating junk food and binging on our favorite TV show. As much as Sawyer and Aspen Ridge have healed me, having this time with Zoe means everything.

Chapter 38

SAWYER

We step into Dom’s gym, the lights dim, and the familiar scent of sweat and leather fill my nose. My brothers are already here per usual, wrapping their hands and stretching before we spar. The sound of gloves hitting bags echoes through the open room, and I watch as Reid unleashes on a heavy bag near us. Everyone’s a little hesitant to get in the ring with him since he’s such a beast. If only they knew what a big softie he really is.

“You goin’ to watch, or I can get you set up on a bag?” I ask Ivy.

“Oh, I’m definitely watching this.” I laugh at her before stepping into the ring with Dallas. My heart rate quickens withanticipation. I bounce on the soles of my feet and stretch my neck side to side. Our gloves touch in the center and it’s go time.

“You ready, dickhead?”

“Always shithead. Let’s see if I can mess up that pretty face of yours in front of your woman.”

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