Page 101 of Forever Yours

Choosing a major gave me something to work toward. A purpose and a plan for the four years of college, which made my adviser happy because I was no longer “undecided.” Julien was on board as well. He even floated the idea about doing the program with me.

Dad was all for it, but I honestly thought he didn’t care what I did. Speaking of Dad, he and Pamela were getting serious. When I first met her last month, my draw dropped. Dad had snagged himself a hotyoungwoman—and I emphasized the young part. Twenty-seven to be exact. Dad was thirty-nine. But I could tell she was head over heels for him. Big heart eyes and all.

When the full sun finally popped into view, I knew my time with Julien was almost up.

“I won’t be able to check my phone until after the game, but text me anyway to let me know that you got to the airport and if they’re any delays with departure. Text Jay, too. I should be back at the hotel by the time you land.”

I fell back onto the grass, relaxing in the early morning sunbath, as Dad used to call it when I was a kid. I wasn’t looking forward to the five miles back, but at least some of it would be downhill.

“Which suit did you want me to pack?” I asked.

“Already done, babe. I left out my dark gray one. It’s in the suit bag hanging off the closet door.”

Julien in that gray suit was devastating. I couldn’t wait to see him in it again, even if he was going to wear it to Mom’s wedding. The only thing salvaging this weekend was the fact that he would be there with me.

“I really hate that I won’t be with you tonight. I’ll call as soon as I can.”

I placed the phone on my stomach and unhooked my water bottle from my sports belt. Squirting some in my mouth, I doused my hair with the rest. Since I would pass a mini mart on the way back, I’d stop in and grab a chilled bottle.

“Where’d you go?”

I flipped the phone back over and held it up. “Hot.”

Julien’s eyes raked my face. “Yes, you are. Lift up your shirt.”

I rolled my eyes. With all the exercise and the otherstuffI’d been doing with Fallon, I had a lot more definition to my chest, arms, and legs, and a nice chiseled six-pack going. Julien was obsessed with it. I swore, he kissed my abs more than he kissed my lips.

Lifting my shirt, I ran my hand down my stomach to just under the elastic band of my shorts.

“You are such a cock tease. Now I have to jerk off in the shower.”

“I’d wait until Griffin got out,” I said, laughing.

“Elijah?”

Still chuckling, I asked, “Yeah?”

“I am so completely, absolutely, insanely in love with you.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, not expecting the sweet declaration.

“Ditto times infinity.”

Julien’s brilliant smile made my heart skip a beat.

“One last thing,” he said.

I brought the phone closer. “What’s that?”

“One day I’m going to ask you to marry me.”

And there go the tears.

“Not if I ask you first.”

CHAPTER 30

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