Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vivian
I should be sleeping, but I can’t seem to take my eyes off Jonah. He bought a truck? And now, he’s driving all night so I can make it to San Diego for a chance at my dream job. I’ve never had anyone willing to work this hard for me. Someone who believed in me so much that they’d take on the world to make me happy.
My mother has tried in the past. But I pushed her away. Not wanting to look weak in front of my father.
The thing is, I don’t feel weak. The opposite. I feel strong, like I could do anything with Jonah by my side.
And that’s where my bubble of happiness pops. I’ve been fighting like hell to make it to this job interview, but I haven’t taken the time to consider whether I still want it.
I mean, I want the job. But do I really want to move to California? Away from my family? Away from Jonah?
Everything has gotten so confusing. A week ago, I hated Jonah. And now I don’t. This feels like love, but what if it’s just hormones? Getting to have regular orgasms without worrying about things like my safety or the guy getting all weird on me. Having a Dom to take care of me when I need it? It doesn’tmatter that part of me thinks I shouldn’t want that. Being with Jonah makes me happy.
But what if it doesn’t last? I finally feel like I deserve this. I deserved to be loved. But that doesn’t mean that Jonah feels the same. Or that he’ll feel the same in a year.
“Thinking awful hard over there.” His eyes flick to me.
I shrug. But his eyes are back on the road. “A lot has happened in the last few days.”
“It has.” He takes my hand. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I chew on my bottom lip. “What about you? You told your dad you didn’t want to be a farmer.”
He shakes his head, and I can feel the self-recrimination from here. “I should have waited.”
I squeeze his hand. “No, Jonah. There was never going to be a good time. How do you feel?”
He laughs. “Free.”
I hold his hand against my face and kiss his knuckles. “Someday I hope to be that brave.”
“You’re the bravest person I know, Vivian. You’ll get there.” In a softer voice, he says, “I believe in you.”
Those words shouldn’t bring tears to my eyes, but they do.
“Get some sleep.” He smiles. “Big day tomorrow.”
“Are you tired at all?”
“I’m fine,” he says, catching my gaze. “Wide awake. And I’ve got a few Red Bulls just in case.”
I manage to sleep then. Hours later, we stop for snacks and caffeine drinks and are back on the road soon after. No broken wiper blades. No shattered windows. No blown engines. The truck looks a little rough, but it’s a smooth ride, and the bench seat means I can sit as close to Jonah as I want.
The sun is rising by the time we reach San Diego. The city is beautiful, but I’m too tired to appreciate it. I booked us a hotel, and we have about four hours before my pre-interview brunchwith Frankie. Jonah and I make it to our room and collapse on the king-size bed without even showering. If I’m this exhausted, I can’t imagine how tired Jonah is.
He wraps his arms around me, and I melt into him. In that moment, life feels just about perfect.
Banging on the door wakes me, and it takes me a second to get my bearings. Another hotel room, but where?
“Vivian, get your ass up!”
Excitement zips through me. San Diego. I rush to the door. I can’t wait to see Frankie, but I also don’t want her to wake up Jonah. Throwing open the door, I shake my head, but I can’t help the grin on my face. “You were supposed to wait for my call.”
“Fuck that. I missed you.” She hugs me tight, and it feels damn good. Am I officially a hugger now?
“I missed you too, babe.” I blink back tears. When did I get so emotional? But Frankie is my best friend in the world.
