“I love you.”
He walked to the front door, looking casual in a pair of black mesh shorts and a gray hooded sweatshirt, and passed Heather in the doorway.
“See ya later,” he called out as he headed down the sidewalk.
Heather watched him until he was out of sight, turning to me with a wicked grin. “I’m going to guess that went well.”
I sighed happily. “It did. I think all of my insecurities just reared their head at the same time as everything else. Just a recipe for disaster, you know?”
“He’s a recipe for sex on a stick. Holy hell, Jada.”
I giggled. “I know, right?”
Heather headed to the kitchen, and I got up to follow her. “So what’s your plan now?” she asked.
“We’re going to stay a night or two downtown before heading back to Arizona. I think we owe ourselves a little time together … just us, you know?”
Heather sipped her coffee, her eyes smiling at me over the brim of her mug. “Yeah. I agree. So you’re leaving tonight?”
I nodded. “Yeah, when he gets back, I think. I’m supposed to get my stuff together while he’s running.”
She set her mug on the countertop, watching me intently. “I think he makes you happy. And after everything you have been through, that makes me happy.” She narrowed her eyes. “Give yourself a break, Jada. Give him some room to mess up. He is a guy, but I think he means well. Just give him a chance.”
My eyes widened. “He has charmed you, too. That bastard.” I laughed.
She held her hands up in defense. “He came out of the bathroom yesterday without a shirt on before you got home. Those abs won me over.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“You’re an idiot.” I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m going to pack. Thank you … for everything. You’re such a great friend.”
She smiled widely. “I am. I really am. Now come visit me more often.”
“I will. I promise.”
She picked her mug back up and made her way to the refrigerator. “Now I’m going to eat some ice cream and pretend my life isn’t going back to normal.” She swung open the door, taking out a tub. “Get readyso you can leave when that hottie gets back. I can’t promise I can behave myself.”
I laughed, shaking my head as I made my way to my room.
I opened the door and spotted the red plastic cup on the table.
My happily ever after starts now. It’s not a fairy tale. It’s a choice.
With a bounce in my step, I began to put my belongings back into my suitcase. My mind wondered how things would be when we got home. I needed to find an apartment. I needed to come clean with my father. I needed to thank Nick, whoever he was.
There was a knock on the door.
“You left your phone in the kitchen. Here, it says it’s Max.” Heather’s hand was extended, my phone in midair.
“Thanks,” I said, taking the phone. “Max?”
“I don’t know, Jada.” Kari’s voice broke over the phone.
“Kari? What’s going on?”
“It’s Dad, Jada. The hospital just called me, and he’s been admitted.”
“At the hospital? Kari! What’s happening?”
“I don’t know. He was taken to Mary Sherman Hospital. One of my friends on the staff put two and two together and just called me. They think he’s had a heart attack. We just landed at Sky Harbor and are on our way, but I knew you would want to know.”
