Page 89 of Finding Us

It still sounds funny when I say that word in my head. And saying it out loud is even weirder. But I love it. I can’t wait to introduce him as my husband. I want to shout it to the world. Garret Kensington is my husband and I’m his wife!

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

“Guess we should get some sleep,”Garret says, as I lie in his arms, a thin blanket covering us.

“Did I wear you out?” I tease.

He sits up on his forearm. “Are you challenging me? Because you know I could do this all night, especially after drinking that disgusting green juice.”

“You said you liked it.”

“I didn’t like it. I just didn’t want to hurt Harper’s feelings. But Sean’s right. That shit works. I’m ready to go again, but I thought you might want some sleep first.”

“I could use a little nap. And then we’ll do this again.”

“Sounds good.” He smiles.

I close my eyes and adjust my pillow. I feel Garret beside me, still propped up on his arm. I open my eyes again and see him watching me.

“What? Did you change your mind about the sex?”

“No. I just wanted to tell you that I love you.”

I gaze up at him. “I love you, too.” He’s still looking at me. “Is there something else?”

“I want to be a good husband to you, Jade. Better than good. So if I’m ever not, go ahead and kick my ass. Well, tell me what I did wrong first, and then kick my ass.”

“I won’t need to. You’re going to be a great husband. I can already tell. I’ve only been married to you a few hours and you’re already the best husband ever.”

He glances around. “Yeah, well, I don’t think I’ll be able to do this for you every night. I wish I could but—”

“I don’t expect you to. As long as you’re always here beside me, I’ll be happy.”

His hand skims over my cheek and rests on the side of my face. “I love that about you. The way you don’t need much to be happy. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you. I still remember the look on your face when I put up those blue lights in your dorm room. I couldn’t believe how happy you were about that.”

“I didn’t have anything growing up so it doesn’t take much to make me happy. And now that I have you, I really don’t need anything else.” I hesitate because this probably isn’t the right time to talk about this but I say it anyway. “Garret, we need to talk about the money I have in the trust fund.”

“Um, okay.” He looks confused. “Like right now?”

“I just need to say something and then we can talk more about it later.”

“Go ahead.”

“I don’t think I want to keep all of it. I mean, I’ll keep some of it but I don’t want all of it. I don’t need it. I don’t need a mansion or a private plane or designer clothes or whatever else people with millions of dollars buy.”

“So what are you thinking of doing with it?”

“I want to help people who need it. Maybe give some to charity or start my own charity. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. It’sourmoney now, not just mine, and I didn’t know if you’d be okay with giving some of it away. If you’re not then—”

He kisses me before I can finish. A sweet, gentle kiss. And then he props himself up on his forearm again. “I know I just said it but I’m saying it again. I love you. So damn much.”

“I don’t understand. Are you okay with this?”

“I’m more than okay with it. I was thinking the same thing. I just didn’t say anything because it’s your money. I know you say it’s ours but Grace and Arlin gaveyouthat money, not me. And they wanted you to use it however you want. I didn’t want to influence you in any way. You’ve never had money before, so I wanted you to be free to decide how it’s spent.”

“I’m not sure how I want to spend it. Obviously college and I’d like to get a house someday and have enough money in the bank that I don’t have to worry all the time. But I can have all that for a lot less than $45 million. Even half that amount is still a lot of money.”

“I agree.”

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