Page 85 of Beauty and the Beard

Roman grunts as he juggles his end of the table and we finally exit the apartment.

“Because you’re in love and it’s gross?”

“That sounds like someone who hasn’t found the right one yet,” Zane quips as he helps settle the table in theU-Haul. Roman throws an evil look his way.

“I’m perfectly happy, thank you. And don’t start spouting about soulmates and love and that crap. It’s great that it’s for you. I don’t want it.”

Zane just smiles and shrugs. Perfectly content and full of sunshine, no matter what gets tossed his way.

“Okay. Suit yourself.” Roman seems shocked at Zane’s dismissal, but Zane is never one to argue. “How much more has to come down?”

“Mostly my personal stuff that’s coming with me to Leaf’s. But that all stays at Roman’s until he joins me in the spring. So… we might be done?”

Hopping out of the truck, Zane secures the doors. “Let's all go up and take a final look then. We can put all the boxes in Roman’s car and call it a day.”

It’s hard to believe almost a month has passed since Leaf was here. So much has changed for me. The ugliness with Moe is now done and buried. He's gone to prison for a long time. When Morgan delivered the news he received a maximum sentence, I'm not ashamed to say I jumped with joy. My heart is lighter with the knowledge that no one else will be his victim. One more step on my path of healing.

My trust account funds were recovered. The money I know my mom wanted me to use to get a leg up in life. Knowing Mom, she probably wanted me to buy a nice house and put down roots. Build a picket fence and start a family. All the things we never had.

In a way, I guess that’s what I’m doing. Assuming Leaf is okay with the plan I came up with.

Entering the mostly empty apartment, I puff out a breath. Roman loops his arm around my waist and I rest my head on his shoulder.

“It’s hard to believe this is it, Ro. No more movie nights in bed eating licorice. No more breakfast from the diner when you know I’m sad.”

“Ah, but there will be Sasha. We’re only apart for a few months. Then I’m sure Leaf won’t mind me in your bed with licorice.” He laughs when I smack his chest. “And it’s not over, it’s just paused. We’ll have breakfast again before you know it.”

He tries to hide the crack in his voice, but I know he’s sad. Even though he’ll be following me soon to start our business together, it’s a huge change in both our lives.

“Yeah, we will. You’ll love the coffee shop, Roman. The brownies are amazing.”

Zane piles boxes on the handcart and heads out, leaving Roman and I alone. If there’s one thing Zane excels at, it’s knowing when people need time to gather themselves. God knows he’s done it with me many, many times.

“We’re gonna be okay, Sasha. New direction, right?”

“Onwards and upwards, Ro. You and I will take the world by storm. With your designs and my photography, we’re gonna fly.”

And they’re not empty words. I mean them.

For the first time in my life, I’m excited about my future and not just because it involves my best friend and the man of my dreams. They’re plansImade. ThatIwant. Nobody chose for me or forced me into this path. If I fail, it’s on me. But I don’t believe I will.

“Like Icarus?” He huffs.

“No. Like an eagle, Ro. With big claws and a sharp beak. We’re unfuckwithable.”

“Is that a real word?”

“I don’t know, but I like it.”

“Let’s put it on jackets.”

“Only if they’re sparkly.”

“Done.”

Roman lifts one of my suitcases and, with a pat on my shoulder, he leaves me.

Taking a moment by myself in my space, I don’t cry. My heart pounds with excitement at what’s ahead.

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