Page 128 of You Saw the Best In Me

I look around the room at everyone, taking it all in. Adam is telling a story, which has Willow rolling her eyes. Reilly is helping Jules cook, and I can’t stop smiling.

These crazy fuckers are my family, and I love every single one of them.

“You okay?” Mav whispers, and I nod.

This is the best I’ve felt in days.

Reilly brings me a drink and breaks the news that I’m officially unemployed.

Perfect.

The salon will be closing immediately, and I’m relieved. I was nervous about going back there.

“Rumor has it someone already bought the building and plans to turn it into a bar. The liquor license was filed yesterday,” Reilly gossips, and I shake my head.

“You’re so gullible,” I smack her on the arm, and she laughs.

“I missed you, bitch,” she says and hugs me.

I missed her crazy ass, too.

Tonight, I’m surrounded by the people who mean the most to me, who sacrificed so much to bring me home safely, and I’m eternally grateful for every single one of them.

Mav’s hand rests on my thigh, and I catch him smiling at me from the corner of my eye.

Even though my face is bruised and swollen, his expression makes me feel so beautiful and loved.

He’s everything I need. This was inevitable, I think.

Forces stronger than us plotted to ensure we’d fall in love.

All we had to do was be in the right place at the right time.

MAVERICK

Isit in the back of the courtroom until the name I’m waiting for is called. Karina doesn’t know I’m here, but I need to be. I’m witnessing this with my own two eyes.

Finally, the judge calls the following case, and this is it.

The laundry list of charges is read, and when asked how he pleads, Asher only replies with one word.

“Guilty.”

Sentencing will occur next week, and I leave the courtroom satisfied.

He’ll be spending the rest of his miserable days behind bars, where he belongs.

After weeks of waiting, Asher has finally been arraigned. First, he had to get strong enough to be transferred for a ten-hour ride back home. Then, he’d chosen to represent himself, which pushed his date back even further.

Karina has no interest in knowing what happens to him, but I do.

I’m going to know exactly where he is at all times.

Thankfully, her panic attacks have subsided, and she’s been able to return to daily life. We’ve had a few hiccups here and there, and one detailed nightmare, but my girl is strong.

We’re healing from the event that traumatized us both and doing it together.

Doctor Halls has had time for two sessions over video chat, and Karina seems to be doing well with therapy.