Page 29 of Forever Mine

I thread our fingers together and kiss her on the forehead. “Night, wife. I love you.”

She burrows her naked body into mine. “I love you, too.”

I’ve wasted so much time, and I’ve been given a second chance. I won’t waste a second of it. From this point on, I’m doing everything I can to be exactly what Natalie needs.

Chapter16

Natalie

“You guys, I’m not going to the sex club.”

All of my friends laugh, but Jilly is the first one to answer. “Yeah, yeah, we got it. You don’t want to go to the sex club. You’ve told us that at least ten times since we left Whiskey Run.”

Chloe chimes in. “Plus, it’s book club night. We have to save the sex club for another night when we’re not talking books.”

I turn around in my seat and look at the car full of my friends. Chloe, Jilly, Abby, and Olivia are all with me, and they are not good at hiding things. They’re up to something, and by the way they’re acting, I don’t think I’m going to like it.

“So where are we going?”

Chloe, who’s driving, looks in the rearview mirror. “Yeah, Jilly, where are we going?”

I gasp. “You’re driving. You better know where we’re going.” I turn in my seat to look at Jilly, and she’s making faces. “Jilly, where are we going?”

She scrunches up her nose. “To The Imperial.”

I put my hand on the dash and turn farther in my seat. “The Imperial? The hotel in Jasper? Why would we be going to a hotel? Oh my gosh, you guys, how do I explain this to Beau?Hey Beau, by the way I’m going to a hotel in Jasper. I’m not sure he’s going to like me hanging out in hotel restaurants.”

Jilly rolls her eyes. “Call him and tell him. If he says no, we’ll go somewhere else.”

I pull my phone from my purse. “You guys, we’re doing so well right now, I don’t want to mess it up. I need to at least tell him what we’re doing so he doesn’t think I’m keeping anything from him.”

Olivia cuts in. “Girl, are you kidding me? You don’t need to ask permission.”

I knew Olivia would give me shit. Ever since she caught her ex cheating, she’s been fed up with all men. I try to placate her. “I’m not asking for permission, but I do know that if he was having a night out at a hotel, I’d want to know. I’m just giving him the same respect I would want from him.”

I no sooner get the words out than he answers the phone. “Hey, baby.”

Shit, why didn’t I just stay home? Honestly, I forgot all about book club until Jilly called me this morning to remind me. Hearing the huskiness of his voice, I wish I had backed out. “Hey, so I just wanted to let you know that we’re having book club at The Imperial downtown.”

“Okay, baby. Have fun.”

I pull the phone back from my ear and look at it before putting it back against my ear. “Uh, you don’t mind?”

He laughs. “Why would I mind?”

Oh I don’t know, I’m scantily dressed and going to drink at a hotel.That’s what I think, but I don’t say it. “No, you’re right. You shouldn’t. I was just letting you know.”

He rushes out the rest. “All right, well, have a good night and be safe. Love you, babe.”

I’m about to tell him I love him too when I hear the phone click.

I quietly put my phone back in the purse, and Jilly is the first one to speak. “See, we’re good.”

I nod and cross my arms over my chest. “Yep, we’re good.”

I’m not sure what I expected, but I did think that maybe just maybe he’d be a little more surprised or protective of me. I let the thought linger for just a minute, and then I push it aside.Beau and I are good. We’re good, and this is just a night out. I’m glad he trusts me.

When we get to the hotel, Chloe pulls in right up front where the valet parking is. We all pile out of her car, and I tug at the too-short skirt I’m wearing. Jilly told me to dress up—heck, she showed up at my house with this outfit as a gift. How could I tell her no?

---