Page 139 of Could Have Been Us
Alex huffs. “No.”
“Did she steal money?”
“No.”
“Give you an STD?”
He flips me off.
I raise my hands and drop them. “Then you want to punish her and her company because she realized you’re not a catch and broke it off before you did?”
Josh steps in when Alex’s glare becomes murderous, and Jack suddenly feels much bigger in front of me.
Oh, I like this caveman feel to my man. That’s right, Jack, fight him.
Grayson clears his throat. “Okay, is there any valid reason you can’t work with her?”
Alex shakes his head. “No, and you’re all right. She has the best design, and I think she’ll do a good job.”
And it’s settled. We’ll go with Odette’s design and her team.
My first thought is how I wish I could tell Kinsley but can’t. I can’t tell her or call her because we haven’t heard from Samuel yet.
Jack leans down and kisses me softly before I rest my head on his chest, hating that what should be a happy moment feels bleak.
* * *
We head to my place first to pick up more clothes and items I want. When we get to the door, I pause.
I don’t want to go in there. I don’t want to see the room she was in. I don’t want to look at the kitchen where flour, batter, and eggs were thrown around. My safe space doesn’t feel so safe anymore.
It’s lonely because she’s gone.
I think I could’ve handled this better if I didn’t think that I’d still get to at least talk to her after we left. It’s been four days without a word.
Samuel assured us that he was completely fine with us having a relationship with Kinsley. So, the lack of communication must be from her. She doesn’t want us, and that’s a far harder blow than I was prepared for.
“Ready?” Jack asks.
“Yeah, I’m being stupid.”
“You’re not. I’m remembering it all too.”
I look up to find his hazel eyes watching me. “It’ll get better.” I’m not sure if I’m asking him or reminding myself.
“It will. You know, at some point, you’re going to have to decide whether we’re going to live at my cabin or back here.”
My lips turn into a grin. “So, we’re officially living together?”
“I moved into your place for a month, and now we’re staying at mine. I don’t know what you call it, baby, but I’d say we took that step.”
“I guess we’re not really a normal couple anyway.”
Jack laughs. “You mean it’s not normal to love someone for fifteen years, finally get together at her brother’s wedding, and then move in a few months later?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know many couples who follow that trajectory.”
He leans in, his lips just above mine. “Dumbasses.”
