I wouldn’t have learned to be by myself. To love and respect myself. To make decisions for myself.To focuson myself and put me first.
If you had told me seven months ago that I would begladmy relationship with my fiancé ended, I would have called you insane. But I’ve never been happier to lose someone in my life. Because by losing him, I gained my whole world.
As I stand in my almost empty apartment with boxes stacked on top of each other, it’s all too familiar.Only this time, I’m eager to start my new life and not cling to the past.
"What are you thinking about?” I hear his sexy, deep voice rumbling from behind me before feeling his arms loop around my waist.
"Only good things.”
Turning to face him, I wrap my arms around his neck, staring into the emerald eyes I’ve subconsciously thought about since I was sixteen years old.He’s dressed for comfort today as we prepare to move the last of my things to his apartment.
Ourapartment.
He opted for a white t-shirt that clings to his biceps and chest with grey sweatpants, and every part of me wants to rip his clothes off and let him have his way with me for one last time in this apartment, bid farewell to each room with abang. But I know we have all the time in the world to do that. All the time in the world to explore each other.
Get to know each other.
Grow with each other.
Also, we run a very high risk of being bombarded by family or Bea and Laney, and I would rather not scar them for life.
"We should get going,” I say, reluctantly pulling away from his grasp, sliding on a pair of black leggings while throwing my hair into a messy bun on top of my head.
"What’s the rush?” He groans, yanking my body back to his while gripping my hips firmer.
"The sooner we’re home, the sooner you can do what you want to me.” I wink as I giggle and shimmy out of his grip.
"Mmm, I like the sound of that. Ourhome.”He smiles, placing a soft kiss on my lips, butterflies instantly swarming my stomach.
A feeling that I hope will never end.
There’s the knock at my door I predicted, and I know whoever it is, they're here to help load some of the last remaining boxes onto the truck. "Saved by the bell.” I smirk.
"You’re lucky, Herring. I wasn’t going to go gentle on you.”
"I never want you to go gentle on me, Wingrove.”
"I can hear you guys, you know,” Bea’s voice sounds from behind my front door.
"Sorry, I’m coming,” I shout in response.
"La la la la, I didn’t need to know that.”
Opening the door, I find Bea and Laney dressed and ready to help, and contentment rushes over me.
This really is my home.
***
"We’re about the same size, right? Can I borrow this dress?” Lizzie asks as she rummages through my wardrobe, clearly feeling comfortable and right at home in my new apartment.
"Sure. As long as you bring it back in one piece,” I say to her, warning in my tone. If I know one thing about being an older sister, it’s that once your little sisters borrow your clothes, it’s game over. You either never see them again or they’re returned in worse condition than when they first borrowed it.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve lent clothes to Lizzie and Olive, only to never be able to wear them again.
"I always bring things back in one piece.” Lizzie gasps as if I’ve just said the most outrageous thing in the world.
"Sorry, let me rephrase. As long as it comes back in the same condition as it is right now, then yes, you can borrow it.” I raise an eyebrow at my younger sister, but she doesn’t fight me on it.
