Page 101 of Merry Me
But her gaze lingered. Her fingers didn’t let go. And in the hush of the room, where the only sound was the slowing of our breath and the faintcreakof old floorboards beneath us, I felt the shift.
A new beginning. A held breath. A promise starting to take shape.
I’d get her there. One step at a time. One truth at a time.
Because she was mine.
And no matter how long it took—she was going to believe it, too.
NATALIE
The next morning’s group chat was a fun time.
Casey: Don’t think we didn’t notice the group name change, Natalie. Hot Mess Express? What did you do?
Me: Ok, so, um…we need to talk about something that happened last night.
Casey: Was it dick-related or feelings-related. Because I’m prepared for both.
Riley: If it’s Easton again, I’m gonna need a towel for my emotions.
Me: He got all growly.
Casey: Define. Because there’s lots of ways that could go.
Riley: Are we talking “stay away from my woman” growly or “I just bit your name into this headboard” growly?
Riley: Or was it that special kind—where he sounds like he’s about to rearrange your guts and your furniture, then build you a house to recover in?
Casey: What does that even mean?
Riley: …
Me: Growlylike…
Me: He looked me dead in the eye and said “You’re mine, Natalie. You’ve always been mine. You always will be.” WHILE INSIDE ME!
Me: There was growling. There was wall pinning. I think my soul left my body and filed for marriage paperwork on its own.
Casey: I just dropped my phone on my face, and I’m not mad about it.
Riley: No because that’s not sex. That’s a binding ritual.
Me: I think I accidentally said “I’m yours” like I was being possessed by the ghost of every simpering heroine in a telenovela and couldn’t stop myself.
Casey: Personally, I’m thriving off this.
Riley: Same. Although Jace wants to know if he drinks iced milk.
Me: He’s not a psychopath, Riley. Gosh.
Me: As I was saying…
Me: I’ve never been more turned on in my life.
Me: Also Easton’s friend heard everything and yelled through the door.
Me: So my villain origin story is officially LIVE!
