Page 58 of From Us, Forever

Only when the car jolted forward did I realize that we’d made it to Bellevue, which meant I’d spent the whole car ride sleeping like a baby.

“Thank you for driving me, Tyler,” I said, wiping the drool from my lips as I jumped out of the car.

“Don’t mention it, Ms. May. I’ll wait till you get in.” He lifted his chin toward the door.

Just as my feet hit the porch, Jay opened the door and pulled me inside.

“Hey, sweetheart.” His warm arms wrapped around me. “Heard you slept the whole way.”

“I didn’t realize Tyler was keeping tabs on me,” I chided.

He pressed a soft kiss on my lips. “I asked him to. Either I get updates every thirty minutes or you’re spending every second of the day with me.”

I grinned. “I think I like the latter.”

“Minx.” He playfully bit my cheek. “How did it go?”

I shook my head, letting out a heavy exhale. “It’s a long story. Why don’t we get dinner while I explain? I’m famished.”

“I made a whole spread for you. Why don’t you change, and I’ll set it up.”

I nodded gratefully and clambered upstairs.

I was beat by the time I made it downstairs and immediately went and crashed on the couch.

“Is your knee okay?” Jay asked, just as I placed my feet on the coffee table.

“Hmm, yeah. Just stiff, but no pain.”

Only the clatter of my fork hitting the plate ensued for the next five minutes while I scarfed the pasta Jay made for me. That was how hungry I was.

He chuckled, retrieving the plate from my hands while I lay my head back, rubbing my full tummy.

It only took a moment before I felt him by my side again, and he pulled me into his lap.

“It didn’t go well, did it?” He sighed, rubbing circles on my back.

My eyes flashed to his worried ones. “Yes, but I’m not sad about it.”

“What happened?” he asked softly.

I huffed out a breath while I reiterated the whole story without missing a beat. The more I said, the more fury radiated off him.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he cursed under his breath. “Another shitty thing happens to you because of me.” His eyes were glacial as the tic in his jaw intensified.

I cupped his cheeks, bringing his blues to mine. “It’s okay, Jay. I’m really fine with it.”

He swallowed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “How can you be? It’s my fault…”

I placed a finger to his lips before he could continue. “It’s not. It’s just a setback. Remember what you told me about one door closing is another door opening.”

His brows furrowed. “Aren’t you mad?”

“Not really. I think I’m at that point in my life where I’m okay with things not working out the way I wanted and waiting for my turn. I have all the time in the world.” I smiled widely as my hands tightened around his cheeks. “I have the best boyfriend in the world, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and healthy, and I have all the time in the world to chase my dreams. So no, Jay, I’m not worried, nor should you be.”

The azure specks in his eyes lit up at my words, and God, he looked breathtaking like that. “If my girl says so. But, Evelyn, if you need anything at all, I’m right here, the easy or the hard way.”

“I know.” I kissed his cheek. “I love you.”

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