“Until?”
She lifted her head and looked at me. “Would you please sit down?”
“No.”
Her forehead creased. “Why not?”
“Why’re you waiting to read it?” I asked, unable to answer her question. There was no way I could possibly relax when I didn’t know whether she intended to stay or if this was merely her coming to say goodbye.
Laikyn looked over at Jinx. “I wanted to wait until I was with you both. I … um … I wanted to be somewhere I felt safe before I did.”
My chest squeezed.
“I know my reaction yesterday was a bit over the top, and I’m—”
“Don’t apologize,” I said, cutting her off. “You had every right.”
Her eyebrows slammed down. “No, I didn’t. I mean, sure. I had a right to get upset. But I didn’t have the right to say the things I did. They weren’t true.”
As for which words she was referring to, I wasn’t sure.
“I was mad. I felt blindsided, and yes, I reacted too quickly without listening, as Creed kindly pointed out.” She exhaled, and her shoulders relaxed some. “You never said you married me soyoucould get your hands on the trust. You said you married meforthe trust. I didn’t give you time to tell me it was soIcould have the money.”
Well, at least someone was able to explain it to her.
Her eyes implored me. “Do you at least understand why I was upset?”
“Of course.”
“Do you get that there was a better way to do this?”
“At the time, there wasn’t,” I told her honestly. “But yes,”—I glanced at Jinx—“I was made aware that I needed to come clean.”
Laikyn looked at Jinx. “You’re not completely blameless.”
“I’m not,” he admitted. “It’s as much my fault as Rule’s. I get that.”
I stared at him in awe and wondered when I would stop doing that. I loved hearing him speak. I loved hearing him say my name.
Evidently, Laikyn’s reaction wasn’t much different than mine because she had tears in her eyes and a sweet smile on her face.
“I want to figure this out,” she finally said as she sniffled and wiped her cheek.
“What do you want, Laikyn?” I asked because, ultimately, that was all that mattered.
She frowned as she looked up at me. She hadn’t expected the question, but now that it was out there, I needed her to answer it.
“For starters, I don’t want a divorce.”
Something powerful inflated in my chest.
She saidfor starters.“And…?”
It took her a moment, but finally, she sat up straight, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Remember that first night when you caught me in your shower.”
Jinx chuckled.
“I’ll never forget it,” I admitted. Like literally. It was forever etched in my brain.
