Page 36 of Where You Belong

It wasn’t until I scrolled through the pictures that I got chills. There were endless comments from people who all seemed to think the same thing I had from the moment I met Corbin.

The connection I feel when I’m near him is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s hard to describe how I feel, and seeing people pick up on it through our pictures has tears pricking my eyes.

“Wow, this is amazing. I’m so happy for you!” I gush, shaking my head in amazement when I pass the phone back to her.

“Right! It’s unreal. Not to mention, I’ve had countless messages and emails from people from other states and cities around Iowa who want to schedule a session with me.”

My chest expands, knowing how hard she’s worked and how much this means to her.

“You’re kidding!”

“Not at all. I had to turn the phone on out of office this morning just to focus on editing. I had over ten calls before nine, and we weren’t even open yet. I could hardly keep up with it all. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“That’s incredible, Madelyn. You deserve this!”

“Thank you, but I should be thanking you. It was you and Corbin they fell in love with. I just helped bring you two together.”

Warmth spreads over my cheeks, and Madelyn giggles. “You’re blushing.”

“I know, but it’s just… I can’t help it. It’s crazy. It feels like it was just yesterday I moved here, and so much has happened in a short period. I never expected to meet someone. I can’t remember the last time I was this happy. I’m almost scared to admit it out of fear of losing it, but it’s the truth.”

“You glow when you talk about him. Even when I walked out of my office, I could see it on your face. You’re happy, and you deserve it, Hae! Seriously, you do. I know you haven’t told me everything that’s happened between you and that asshole ex of yours, but I know you enough to know you’re a good person and friend. You’re an amazing mom to Huxie!”

She reaches her arms out, and I stand. Wrapping my arms around her in a hug, I whisper a muffled, “Thank you,” in her ear.

My phone vibrates on my desk. Madelyn doesn’t mind if I keep my phone on in case my mom or the school reach out about Huxton.

We break apart, and I reach for my phone, checking and finding Corbin’s name on the screen. A slow smile spreads across my face when I see it’s him.

“I texted him a link to the Facebook post this morning, and he replied he was only a good model because of you.” She grins playfully, swatting my arm.

I purse my lips and shake my head. “Of course, he did.”

“I’ve never seen him like this. To be honest, he’s lived the bachelor life since Alex first introduced us. He’s like a changed man now. Even the rest of the world is falling in love with the two of you together.”

I swipe the screen to open the message.

Corbin: Mornin’, beautiful. It looks like we’ve caught the attention of the internet, and they seem to agree. I can never keep my hands off you when I’m around you.

I blush.

“What’d he say?”

“Nothin’...” I trail off. “He’s a smooth talker, and that’s what worries me. There’s not a single thing wrong with him. Nothing that has me concerned or second-guessing everything. Aside from it being too soon. Something has to be wrong with this man. He has to have some skeleton hiding in his closet.”

Madelyn chuckles, looking from side to side, then shrugs.“I don’t think there is, Hae. If there was, I haven’t heard a thing about it.”

“It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop or that I’ll end up letting my own fears and insecurities get in the way somehow, and it’ll ruin everything.”

“You can’t let it, though. If you let your mind create all these scenarios in your head of what could go wrong, you’ll never get a chance to truly see what it could be. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and trust where you land.”

“Yeah, I’ve done that before, and now look where I am.”

“Listen, I know I don’t know everything that happened between you and Atlas, but I know enough. It’s not fair to you or to Corbin to compare him to your ex.”

She’s right. Although there were a lot of red flags I overlooked. I chose to believe what he told me rather than listen to my intuition.

I don’t get those feelings when I’m around Corbin, though. Nothing in my mind or in my gut warns me to tread lightly.

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