Page 337 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
“Jade?”
Her fingers tremble as she wipes sweat from her upper lip.
“I’m okay.” She takes another step back, as if she doesn’t even realize she’s just clocked me.
“Alright.” I stay rooted. “What are you doing out here?”
“I needed a break. A moment to myself.”
The usual snap of her voice is there. The one she designated to me before this week. Before we confessed a love that never died.
But it’s deeper than the snap. She wants me to go. She wants me to leave her alone. I’m not sure what’s happened in the last twenty minutes, but I’m not the asshole who’s about to start demanding more from her.
“I can leave.” I don’t want to take a step back, but I do, for her. “If you need anything, you know where to find me. Anything, Jade.”
Why is it so fucking hard to turn away from her? Why do the three steps I take feel like a lifetime?
“So, that’s it? You’re just going to walk away?” Her words sting.
I pivot to face her. “Not if you don’t want me to. Just say the word and I’ll stay.”
She runs her hands through her wild hair. “I never said I wanted to move in with you.”
The admission hurts. Stings. Rubs me all the wrong ways.
I swallow hard, keeping my voice steady. “I didn’t ask you to, but I assume eventually that’s where we’re headed.”
“And my last name?” Her eyes flash, sharp and challenging.
“What about it?”
“I ain’t changing it.” She crosses her arms, stubborn as ever.
I nod, slow and easy, folding my arms over my chest. The silence between us thickens.
“Are you askin’ me to marry you?” I finally say.
“No.”
“Okay.”
She takes a deep breath.
“What is this, then?”
“Our siblings. My sister’s ready to plan a bridal shower. And your brother’s ready to move me into some North Ridge Wilde property.”
I smile faintly. “They’ve been laying it on thick tonight.”
“That’s an understatement.”
My brows furrow slightly. “I mean, I do own that place.”
“That’s not the point, Hart.”
Her hands land on her hips in that don’t-fuck-with-me way that usually gets my insides pumping with admiration. But right now, the vibes aren’t on my side.
“Did you just assume I’d move onto Wilde land? Like it’s already decided?”
