Page 104 of Loving the Sinner
My lip wobbles and I try to stop it by taking a bite of my burger. We’ve only been dating for a little over a month, and he’s already memorized my burger order? We’ve only had burgers twice together. He even remembered how I like my fries and what my favorite shake is.
The bed dips and Wes’s calloused fingers swipe away the few tears that escaped. “Why are you crying? Did I get your order wrong? I’m sorry, I’ll go back and get a different one if you want.”
That just makes me cry harder. I set the burger down on the paper and turn to look at him.
“The burger is perfect. The shake is perfect. The fry sauce is perfect.”
His brows furrow, “Then why are you crying?”
“Because!” I throw my hands up in exasperation. “Because you want to break up! How am I supposed to date anyone else after you’ve treated me like a damn queen the entire time we’ve been together? How am I supposed to move on from the love of my life, especially when you’re going to become a big star, and you’ll be everywhere.”
“I don’t want to break up.” He whispers, looking a little sheepish.
“What?”
He grabs my hands and stares into my eyes deeply. “I don’t want to break up. I was an idiot who got scared and I thoughtyouwere breaking up withme. But let me be clear about something: I’m yours. You’re mine. Can you forgive me for trying to sabotage this? Because I don’t think my heart can handle not being with you. You’re the air I breathe, my heartbeat, the blood that flows through my veins.” He says, placing my hand on his heart so I can feel the rhythmic beat. “I don’t want to live without you. Without you, there’s no music. No sunshine.”
My lip wobbles and now I’m crying because I’m relieved. “I wasn’t trying to break up with you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. If my mom can’t see that, then that’s her issue. It’s not going to be easy to deal with the fact that Izzy’s the only family I’ve got now, unless Spencer or the twins come around, so I’ll need some time to work through that. But I never, not for one second, considered ending things with you.”
“I’m with you every step of the way, baby. I love you, Elliana Louise Monson.”
“I love you too, Westley Ray Jones.”
Then, Wes kisses me. My burger and fries forgotten in favor of making up for the last few hours.
Chapter 49
Wes
Before we leave Utah the next morning, Elli asks to make a stop at her parents’ house so she can tell them her decision.
I’m nervous for her, but I support her one hundred percent.
We pull up in front of Elli’s childhood home at seven in the morning so she can talk to both of her parents before her dad leaves for work. We make our way up the steps and Elli rings the doorbell, my hand firmly in her grasp.
Louise answers the door, the fake smile on her face falling as soon as she sees who it is. “What are you doing here? Have you come to apologize?”
“I came here to talk to you and dad.” Elli’s voice doesn’t waver, even in the presence of her mom, and I give her hand a gentle squeeze to remind her I’m here with her.
Louise steps aside and motions for us to come in. “Kent! Elliana is here and wants to speak to us.” She shouts down the hall that leads to Kent’s office.
Kent appears moments later and stands behind Louise with his arms crossed expectantly.
Elli straightens her spine before she starts. “I came to tell you that I’m not breaking up with Wes. I’m not going to let you manipulate my life anymore, and I’m not going to let you push me around like a puppet. You said I wouldn’t be allowed to be part of this family anymore if I stayed with Wes, so I guess you’ve lost a daughter. I know you’ve never been proud of me, and you’ve never loved me the way a mother should love her child. I came to say goodbye, and to say that if you ever treat Izzy the way you’ve treated me, you can expect to lose your other daughter, too.”
“You ungrateful brat. I gave you everything you ever needed or wanted as a child, and this is how you repay me? What will the ward think? What will your aunts and uncles think?” Louise hisses at Elli.
“You never gave Elli love. And that’s what she needed the most. Your ward, your family? They’ll think whatever you choose to tell them, and I’m sure you’ll paint yourself as the victim. You should be proud of the woman Elli is.” I say, wanting to prove to not only them, but myself, that I’m worthy of Elli’s love. She deserves someone who will stand up for her.
“She’ll come crawling back when the novelty of you wears off. Or you leave her for a skinner, prettier version.” Louise looks at me with so much hate, you’d think I murdered her entire family.
“Don’t talk to him like that.” Elli snaps. Then she turns to me. “I’ve said what I want to say. Let’s go. We have along journeyhome.”She emphasizes the word home, and that warms my heart.
With that, we walk out the front door. Louise sputters about us regretting this and how Elli is ungrateful, but Elli tunes them out as we make our way to the car. I open the door for her, but before she gets in, she grabs me by the back of my neck and kisses me passionately.
I don’t even hesitate to meet her passion, making a show of grabbing her voluptuous ass. I know she’s just proving a point to her parents, but damn it, I’m hard for her already.
When we break apart, Louise and Kent are standing on the porch with red faces. Louise’s from anger, Kent’s from embarrassment, probably.
