Page 77 of Everlasting Love

Relief pours through me. “Thanks, Quinny. You’re the best.”

“I know. Now switch.”

We swap to a video chat and I show her my options.

“Wear your black jeans and that tan sweater that crosses over, then you can wear your boots.”

I do always feel good in my black jeans and I need to feel confident today. “You don’t think the V sits too low?”

“Nope. It’ll look great and it won’t look like you’re trying too hard.”

I smile at my friend. “Thanks, Quinn. You saved my ass.”

“Not all heroes wear capes, you know.” She laughs and I join her.

“You’re the best. I’ve gotta go.”

“Bye. And, Vi … they’re gonna love you. Relax and have fun.”

I choke up. “Thanks … bye.” I end the call before she makes me cry and quickly change. A knock sounds at my door as I’m pulling my hair back into a high ponytail. “Come in,” I call.

I see the door open in the reflection of the mirror and inhale sharply when I see Shane wearing his dark jeans and a long-sleeve Henley. I still haven’t seen the man naked, which seems crazy after all the sex we had this weekend. As I turn to face him fully, he makes his way around the bed to me.

“You look gorgeous, Blue,” he tells me as he grips my hips and pulls me flush into his body.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” I press up on my toes and touch my lips to his in what is meant to be a chaste kiss but Shane’s tongue darts out for a taste and before I know it, his hand is on my ass, and he’s grinding into me as he mauls my mouth. I moan and press against him, enjoying the feel of his hard body against mine.

He slows the kiss with light pecks to my lips and drops his forehead to mine. “Now that I’ve had you, I don’t think I can keep myself in check when I’m around you. It was murder watching you bend over in the garden and not pull your pants down and fuck you.”

I giggle like a schoolgirl and heat rises up my neck to my cheeks. Damn. “Hold those thoughts. After Jas is in bed, we can get busy. Right now we need to go visit your mom.”

He kisses the end of my nose, then steps away, and I could kick myself in the ass for dropping a bucket of cold water over us but I don’t want to make him late for his visit. “You’re right.” He nods as if to convince himself. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah, just let me put some fresh gloss on my lips.” I wave my hand down my body. “Is this outfit okay?”

He frowns. “You look gorgeous. But then again, you always do. It doesn’t matter to me what you wear.”

I tease out the bottom of my hair and look down at the floor between us. “I just want to make a good impression. This feels … important. And I won’t get the opportunity to make a good first impression again.”

He steps in close and his hands land on my shoulders, his fingers cupping the back of my head and he uses his thumbs to lift my chin. “I’m glad you think this is important because it is. I’ve never taken a woman home to meet my parents.”

I inhale sharply and I’m certain my eyes are as wide as saucers. “Never?”

He shakes his head and presses his lips into a tight line. “Never. I want you and Jas in my life which means opening up more. Letting you in. It’s foreign to me but I’m trying my best.” He presses his lips to my mouth, then pulls back, his eyes searching mine. “I hope you know how important you are to me.” My heart expands to double its size and it fills with hope. “I’m trying to be as brave as you are but I’m not used to sharing … to being open.”HethinksI’mbrave. “You’ll need to be patient with me as I find my courage.”

I gently lay my hand over his heart, feeling it thump heavily. I’ve always sensed that he doesn’t share a lot of personal stuff with others but he’s just confirmed it. “I’m glad you think I’mbrave, but I’m really not. I stayed with a cheating ex much longer than I should have because I was too scared to leave. You’re braver than you realize and you have courage for days.” I press a tender kiss to his lips. “But I want you to know that I’m here whenever you’re ready to share pieces of yourself, and that when you do share, your pieces are safe with me.”

He drops his forehead to mine. “Thank you,” he murmurs, then presses the softest of kisses to my lips.

I wish we could stay in our bubble, but I don’t want us to be late. “Shall we go?”

He swallows harshly. “Yeah.”

I quickly apply a coat of gloss to my lips, then tuck my hand in Shane’s and we make our way downstairs to grab Jas and head out.

Shane pullsinto the driveway of a quaint house with a sweet garden and my stomach twists. I’m so freaking nervous.

“Is this your house?” Jas asks from the back seat.

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