Page 131 of You Saw the Best In Me

First, Karina needs to agree to move in with us.

I know she’ll say yes, but my palms are sweaty, and my nerves kick in.

The main bedroom is at the end of the hall, with a small bathroom attached. It’s perfect, and I let Karina walk in first.

The petals are perfectly placed, and she reads the words aloud before fully realizing what I’m asking.

“You want me to live here, too?” she says, looking at me with those beautiful hazel eyes.

“Of course, baby girl. You and your demonic cat. Will you move in with us?” I ask, and she barely lets me finish.

“Absolutely, one hundred million percent!” she smiles, and I lift her off the ground.

She wraps her legs around me, and I kiss her tenderly.

“April’s going to be so excited! I thought you’d never fucking ask, Jesus,” she laughs, and I smack her ass.

“Hush, kitten,” I whisper, lightly biting her neck.

This is the dream.

A family, a big house, and enough love to go around.

Months ago, if someone told me I’d have this much in my life, I’d have laughed. I had sworn off relationships and vowed never to fall in love.

All along, something inside of me was waiting for my Queen. The only one who could make me believe in what I thought was impossible.

Love.

Now, I’d give up my life to protect hers, and nothing on this planet could keep me away from her.

Karina Grace met me when I was broken, and she put every single piece of me back together.

She saw my scars and flaws on the outside, but when she looked into my soul, that’s when I finally felt complete.

She saw the best in me.

My one and only, my lifeline.

KARINA

ONE YEAR LATER

Ihave no idea where we’re going, and I’m feeling the anxiousness creep over me. I still don’t do well in cars, especially for long rides, and this one is starting to cross my boundary.

Maverick, always sensing when something’s wrong, reaches over and squeezes my thigh.

I smile at him, and he just knows me too fucking well.

Finally, I see the ocean.

“Are we going to the beach?” I bounce in my seat, the excitement taking over.

I haven’t seen the ocean since I was a little kid, and I can’t believe this is our super secret destination.

“I don’t have a bathing suit! I wanna play in the waves,” I pout, and Mav smiles.

“You think I planned a trip but didn’t smuggle your sexy little pink bikini?” he laughs.