As we climb into the truck, my phone beeps. I check it and see another order placed on my Etsy store.
“What was that?” Rage asks, starting the truck.
“Oh,” I say, smiling again, “I got another order through my store.”
He reaches over, places a hand on my thigh, and gives my leg a gentle pat. “I’m proud of you. Running your own business, having that drive and commitment—it’s next-level.”
The fact he recognizes my accomplishments means a lot. Happiness bubbles up inside of me. I put my hand over his. “Thank you.”
When we arrive at the post office, he parks outside. I reach for the door handle, but he stops me. “Wait for me.”
I watch him strut his sexy ass over. He’s wearing a fitted shirt that shows off his muscular frame, and the bad boy motorcycle club vest.Yummy!He opens the door for me, glancing around as he does.
“Aww, what a gentleman,” I coo.
“Only for you,” he reassures me, and I feel like a queen.
Inside the post office, he stands tall, his eyes scanning the room as we wait in line. I notice how he keeps checking and rechecking our surroundings. Maybe after everything that’s happened he’s just being cautious.
After posting the package, we stand by the truck.
“Where’d you like to go for lunch?” Rage asks. “Or would you rather grab something and take it down to the beach?”
“The beach would be nice,” I say, eager to make the most of the ocean.
We grab a salad from a local café and drive to the beach, which is only a short drive. We get out, and I follow him, my feet digging into the sand as I go. The breeze flutters my hair away from my face. The sound of the ocean is relaxing.
“Thanks for this,” I say, smiling at him. “I needed to get out.” I look around the beach. A few other people are sitting around, a few are walking, and a couple of young families are out, their children playing in the sand.
“Of course. I thought it would be good to get out.”
We eat in comfortable silence, the ocean providing a calming backdrop. Afterward I snuggle up next to him, resting my head on his shoulder and breathing in the salty air. The contrast between now and the last time I was here makes me giggle.
He turns his head toward me, and he has a small smirk on his face. “What are you laughing at?”
“Last time I was here. I cut my wedding dress into pieces. It was sprawled around me where I sat, wearing your clothes.”
He looks at me, amused.
“It’s crazy how quickly things can change,” I continue. “Now I’m here with you. Happy. Last time I was here I was angry and sad.” I’ve come so far.
His big blue eyes soften, and he wraps an arm around me, pulling me close. I smile at being cocooned in his arms.
“I’m relieved you’re happy. I thought...” He briefly closes his eyes as he shakes his head.
“You thought what?” I ask curiously.
He looks out at the water before gazing back at me. “With everything you’ve gone through and then me putting you through the fight, you looked sad... not yourself.” He’s observant.
“It all did get to me, but I’ve come to the conclusion that for now I want to live in the moment and enjoy life.” I frown when I think of the choices I have to make.
He cups my chin in his hand. “You say you’re happy, then when you frown like that, I wonder what you’re thinking about.”
I want to be honest. “Us.”
His expression drops.
“I want us to work out.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “I said we should take it slow, but with you, that’s impossible. I’m struggling with the fact that I promised myself I’d put me first.” My heart races to a wild uneven beat. “With you, I seem to be going back to what I did with Tyler. Hoping and praying that you’ll put me first. I can’t handle the fights, but I’m not asking you to choose between me or the fights either. That is a part of your life, but it’s not doing you any favors. So, I’ve been struggling with what I should do.”
