Page 42 of Cherish

“What?” Jake says, outraged. “Everyone has seen that dress but me.”

“Yes, many have seen it, but only you get to take it off.” She taps his nose before kissing his cheek.

“Are you going to be okay?” Jason asks me. I look at the house and back to him, smiling as I nod. He leans down and kisses me. When we pull away, both of us breathless, I follow Sandy and the girls into the house.

“Hey,” he says, jogging up to me, “in case you want to go anywhere.” He hands me the keys to his car and walks away.

CHAPTER 27

JASON

After a couple of hours at the arcade, the men return to the Clark compound while the women go sightseeing. Chris, Jake’s soon to be brother-in-law, met us at the house after dropping his wife, daughter, and Vivienne with the rest of the ladies.

We sip on beers while the boys splash around in the pool with Jake’s brothers and father. Several other boys mingle around the pool while some of them help grill us a late lunch.

My phone buzzes and it’s another picture from Alex. She’s sitting between Ananda and Alex holding a drink in her hand.

Alex: Having the best time, but I wish you were here.

Me: Miss you, too. Can’t wait to see you. Things okay with you and Mellie?

She sends me a thumbs-up emoji, followed by a kissing one.

I want her. Right now. If she were here, I’d take her hand, find an empty room, and take her against the wall, silencing her screams with my mouth.

She’s warmth and happiness wrapped up in a beautiful bow. From her poufy curls to her piercing eyes and secret smile, she’s conquered my world in a few weeks.

I’m not sure if we found each other or fate threw us together. We worked in the same building for years, so why now? Is it because I wasn’t ready before? My life was so different four years ago. I was a new resident, navigating my way through training, long hours, and study sessions. My personal life was a wreck, too. I was estranged from my sister, my parents hated each other, and I held every woman I met at a distance over misplaced loyalty to Natalie.

My work life is still crazy, but my personal life has done a complete one-eighty. Natalie is completely out of my life. My sister and I are getting closer, and we’ve left our toxic parents behind. My best friend is getting married. Life is good, and I’m going to keep it that way.

My phone buzzes again. Expecting to see another picture from Alex, I get a feeling of foreboding when I see a text from an unknown number.

I NEED TO SEE YOU!!!!!

I let out a slew of expletives as I hit delete and forcefully toss the phone on the table.

“How are you and Alex going to send flirty texts if you break that thing?” Jake slides into the chair opposite me.

“I know you’re not talking. You and Sandy have talked five times in the three hours you’ve been apart.”

He ignores me and sips on a bottle of water.

“Who was it?” he asks.

“You already know. I told her to fuck off, but she keeps insisting on coming to see me.” I drop my head in my hands and rub my temple.

“So, see her. Tell her to her face and walk away but do it on your terms before she comes to you.”

“And what the fuck do I tell Alex? My ex won’t leave me alone? I have a good thing with her. It’s still new, and I don’t want to scare her off. You remember what it was like when you finally got the girl, right?”

His words mirror what Mellie said a few weeks ago. They are both right, so I need to get my head out of my ass.

“I told my girl the truth the moment I stopped acting like an idiot. You have an ex. So what? At least she lives four states away. I don’t have that luxury.”

I nod at him, deciding to talk to Natalie the next time she texts, then I’ll tell Alex about our history.

“Yeah, yeah. Since when are you the wise one here? I’m the one always pulling you off the ledge.”

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