Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
“You’re my everything,” he whispers, not for my sake, but like it’s the truth that will keep him tethered to the world.
And I believe him.
I do.
I pull the covers over us—fuck the laundry—and fall asleep with Travis tracing circles on my back, every nerve ending electric, every inch of me his.
I wake up to the sound of someone knocking on my bedroom door. I check the clock—it’s already almost nine. Travis is dead to the world beside me, hair a mess, chest on display, looking like a fucking rockstar even when he sleeps. I sit up, pull the sheet around me, and go open the door, expecting to see Chief, because he is the only one I can think of who would just walk into Travis’s house.
It’s not Chief.
It’s my mom.
She is standing in the doorway, wearing this sundress that makes her eyes pop, and she has a smile on her lips that is so pure, I forget just how much I have missed her.
“Mom?” I gasp.
She doesn’t say anything, she just throws her arms around me, squeezing so hard the sheet slips and I have to clutch it closed with one hand. I can smell her perfume—something orange-blossom, and so comforting my heart explodes.
“My girl,” she says, pulling back with a huge smile, “you look incredible. I wanted to surprise you.” She pulls back and gives me a good, hard look. “You’re beautiful. Even more than last time.” Her eyes flick over my shoulder to the bed. “Oh. Well, hey Travis.”
Travis props himself up on one arm, blinking the sleep out of his eyes, and grins. His voice is roughed up in the best way. “Hey Mandy,” he says. It turns out seeing my mom in his bedroom doesn’t faze him at all. He stands up—thankfully he put pants on during the night—and walks to her like this is perfectly normal. He and my mom do this full-body hug, like they always do. She has always loved him, even when he was at his worst. I suppose I get it from her.
She laughs—the real laugh, the one that makes the beautiful tiny lines on her face crinkle. “Travis, you look fantastic.”
“Thanks, Mandy, you too,” he says, and it’s so sincere I want to scream.
She turns to me, tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, and says, “I hope you don’t mind me sneaking in. Chief gave me the key.”
I smile, huge. “Are you serious? It’s the best day ever.”
Travis goes into host mode, and says, “Let me make you some coffee, Mandy.”
My heart feels so happy.
We follow him down the staircase to the kitchen. I don’t let go of her hand, so happy to see her. Travis makes us sit, while he prepares the coffee and makes it exactly how she likes it. He remembers it, even after all this time. I didn’t think I could love this man more, turns out I’m wrong. We both just watch as he starts making breakfast, humming to himself.
“So, when did this happen?” she smiles at me, before sipping her coffee.
“Recently. Things just...I don’t know, felt right again.”
She beams. “You look happy.”
“I am happy. Nervous, but happy.”
“You and Travis always had something, honey. I’m sure it is meant to be. The very fact that it has all gone down the way it has, tells me the universe has plans for the two of you.”
I laugh. “Well, as long as the universe is kinder with its plans this time.”
Travis puts a plate of eggs in front of her, grinning. “I remember you like them fluffy.”
She laughs. “You have a good memory. Thank you. This looks delicious. So, what are you two planning for the day?”
I look at Travis. “Nothing planned. Maybe the lake? The farmer’s market. But we could just hang out with you, too.”
My mom waves a hand. “Don’t change your plans for me. I just wanted to check in. I’ve got a few errands to run in town. We should do dinner tonight, though.”
“We’re in,” Travis answers for me, and I laugh.
“Well then,” she grins. “I guess it’s a plan.”
When she finishes up her breakfast, she leaves and I spin, hugging Travis. “It feels like everything is just going perfect, you know?”
He squeezes me. “Yeah, I know.”
Finally.
After breakfast, I tell Travis I just want to go to Chief’s house to ask a question about my car. He winks at me, before dropping his pants and backing into the shower, telling me he’ll meet me there soon. Horrible man. I leave laughing. When I arrive, the house is quiet. Jasmine isn’t here, but the front door is open. Stepping in, I walk up the stairs, expecting to see Chief in his office. I open the door and hear voices, not loud but hushed. They are coming from his room.
Great, he has a woman here.