Page 195 of The Wife Situation

Easton and I quickly pitch the tent before it grows any darker. He purchased a box of wood, and we use a Quick Start block to get the fire going.

When our base camp is set up, he sits in a chair and I take his lap, like we did all those weeks ago.

With his arms wrapped around me, he kisses my neck right below my ear before he whispers, “I’ll never take us for granted.”

“Me neither, babe.”

Gently, Easton kisses me. “No matter what happens, I’ll always love you.”

“Easy days and hard days, remember? This is one of the hard ones,” I whisper. “And that’s okay. We’re traveling the country, camping under the stars, and we’ll have the time of our lives.”

He holds me tighter. “I already am. Weston will fix this. I saw it in his eyes; nothing can stop him when he gets like that. It’s the only time I back away and let him take full control of situations.”

“I trust him,” I say. “He’s done so much for us already.”

“I have a feeling it’smorethan we know.” He twists my hair in his finger and smiles at me.

I lean back on him, smiling as we stare at the fire. His finger traces circles on my stomach as he slowly breathes in my ear.

Right now, it might feel like the world is burning around us, but in the end, we’ll still be standing stronger thanever.

44

EASTON

Since meeting her: 51 days

Company takeover: ?

Married: 32 days

It’s been four days since we left New York, and I have yet to turn my phone on once. However, I know my father postponed the passing of the torch considering the event was supposed to happen today.

Weston will find me. Healwaysdoes.

Lexi and I have eaten in dives and diners and stopped at so many roadside attractions that I’ve lost count.

We decided against anything luxury. We go nowhere where we might be recognized. We travel the Mother Road as it was always intended—off the grid in an old hot rod in the middle of July with a Polaroid Instant camera and film so we don’t miss a single fucking moment.

I’ve taken the time to sketch every stop—from a Route 66 museum to the Gemini Giant to the drive-in theater, where we made love in the back seat. If we come up on an old gas station,we pull over to admire the architecture. We’ve taken countless selfies at murals painted across the sides of buildings. And each second I’m with her, I fall harder. Not sure how that’s even fucking possible.

I’ve never been happier than I am right now, even considering the shitstorm I left behind. I’m not concerned, either.

When fat drops hit the windshield, I click on the wipers, sliding them away. We’ve driven four to five hours daily, and we haven’t rushed at a single attraction.

Time doesn’t matter. Lexi taught me what it means to be lost without wanting to be found.It’s freeing.

We’ve driven through Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas and christened every state. Now, we’ve added visiting all fifty to the bucket list.

Right now, we’re driving sixty-five in the desolate part of Oklahoma on roads without shoulders. We’re an hour from the Texas state line, and it’s just an open road and land.

The sky in the distance is the color of a bruise as we drive straight into the storm. The engine growls, and I keep my hand tight on Lexi’s thigh as she snaps a photo of me.

I’ve driven more miles since we left the city than I ever have at one time. More firsts with Lexi than not. She grins when she sees the giant sign that saysWelcome to the Lone Star State.

“Home sweet home,” she says, breathing in the air, smiling. “We have to go to the Big Texan. It’s in Amarillo, where the old Route 66 used to be. Best steak of your life, guaranteed.”

I laugh. “That wasn’t on the bucket list.”

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