Jax kisses me, soft and quick, because Zinnia’s right there.
When I pull back, Zephyr’s watching me. Smiling.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing. Just happy.”
“Me too,” Callum says. “Disgustingly happy.”
I laugh. “Shut up.”
Zinnia stirs. She mumbles something about turtles.
“I should put her to bed,” I say quietly.
Jax stands. He carefully picks her up. “I got her.”
He carries her down the hall to her bedroom. I follow behind him.
We tuck her in together. I pull the blanket up to her chin and make sure her nightlight is on.
“Night, Zinni,” I whisper.
She doesn’t wake up. Just shifts slightly and sighs.
We walk back to the living room. Zephyr and Callum are cleaning up the Chinese food containers.
“Movie’s still going,” Callum says. “You watching?”
“Yeah,” Jax says. “We’re watching.”
We settle back on the couch. This time I’m between Jax and Zephyr. Callum sits by Jax, and we’re all squeezing on here.
The movie plays.
But I’m not watching. I’m thinking about today. About the judge’s words. About Zinnia’s smile when she realized we get to stay together.
About my mom’s appeal going through. About the possibility of her getting out. Of having her back.
About this house. The possibility of a new house. These three men. This life I somehow stumbled into.
It’s not what I planned. Not what I imagined.
It’s better.
Chapter Fifty-Three: Tigerlily
One month later, I’m refilling coffee at table seven when my phone buzzes. I ignore it. I can’t be on my phone during a shift.
The Broken Yolk Café gets busy during lunch rush. I’ve been working here full-time for three weeks now. Waitressing pays better than I expected. Tips are good. Enough to cover my half of expenses and start saving.
I dropped out of UCLA officially two weeks ago. Withdrew from all my classes. No fanfare. No regrets.
Just signed the forms and walked away.
Some people asked if I was sure. If I’d thought it through. If I wasn’t making a mistake.
I told them I was figuring it out. And I meant it.
