Page 120 of Waiting for Acceptance
“May or may not” is for rookies. I am full on sobbing rn.
Leah
LAUREN IS IN LOVE!?! OH MY GOD, THE STARS HAVE ALIGNED.
I almost sent them the photo I took of mine and Vince’s initials carved into the tree, but at the last second, decided I’ll keep that to myself, just for a little longer at least. I hear the screen door open then slam shut and hurry to finish up so Gran doesn’t think I’ve fallen down the drain. Or worse, that I’m taking a shit.
CHAPTER 60
FITZ
I didn’t think it was possible to fall more in love with my girl. Then she came outside last night in a pair of Gran’s old work boots, her hair clipped back, and helped us deliver a calf. We took one last trip out to the tree before we packed our bags to head back into the city. Taking her to the ranch was the last piece of the puzzle for me. Seeing the way she fit in there, helping Gran in the kitchen, riding Tina with me, the way she just jumped in with Mabel’s delivery. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, than I am that Lauren has been, and will be, the only one to have my heart. Her fingers have been intertwined with mine the whole drive back into the city, and just as we turn onto my street, I hear her stomach growl.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were hungry?” She shrugs and leans over, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I was just ready to be home.”
I glance down at her, watching her eyes flutter closed. “You know, you’ve called my place here in New Yorkhometwice now.”
“Mmm. Have I?” I laugh when I notice she never opens her eyes when she asks.
“You have.”
She finally lifts her head, looking into my eyes. “Weird.” There’s a sweet playfulness in her eyes but she just smirks at me. When I kiss the top of her head, her stomach growls again.
“Why don’t I grab us some food from Milano’s while you head up and take a shower?”
“Are you sure? I can go with you.”
“Baby, your eyes are barely open right now. Go up and shower and I’ll be back in twenty minutes.” The car comes to a stop outside of our building and I give her the key, making a note to give her one of her own. If she’s going to keep calling this place home, I want it to feel that way to her in every sense of the word.
“Twenty minutes. I’m counting.” She points at me and I smile.
“I won’t make you wait a minute more.” I wink at her and she smiles, running up to the entrance. I’m almost to Milano’s when my phone starts ringing, and the smile on my face from the anticipation that it may be Lauren disappears when I see that it’s my mother.
“Hello?”
“Fitz, honey! So glad I caught you. Are you busy?”
“Only always. What’s up?” I hop out of the car with a sigh.
“I just wanted to make sure you were coming tomorrow.”
“Yes, we’ll be there.” There’s a pause on her end of the line and I look down to see the seconds on our call still ticking by.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I don’t want to keep you, we’ll see you then.” My brows practically meld into my hairline in shock.
“See you then.”
The line goes dead and I waste another minute of time, wondering what the hell that was about. If I know anything about how my parents react to things, I’m sure I’ll figure it out tomorrow night. I rush into Milano’s, order our food and drinks,and barely make it to pick up a bottle of Lauren’s favorite wine before getting back to the apartment with a minute to spare. Keeping my promise to someone has never felt so important and rewarding.
When I walk through the door she’s fresh out of the shower, wearing one of my T-shirts, a pair of her underwear, and socks, bundled up on the couch with a spot open for me. I don’t even bother fighting the way I love her. Eating pizza and watching her favorite shows, rubbing her feet until she’s falling asleep, and getting to make love to her without the fear that it’ll end all too soon any more, makes me happier than I can even comprehend. I can’t wait to surprise her with what I have planned tomorrow—beforethe dreaded party we’re here to attend, that is.
If it wasn’t for the fact that my body and mind are both completely relaxed when Lauren is wrapped in my arms, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep a wink last night. I was up an hour ago, pulling clothes from her bag and laying them out for her, before brewing our coffee and starting breakfast.
