Page 82 of The Plan

I’m reminded of what I wanted to give her the other day and walk into my room to find it. It doesn't take long since I’ve kept it in the same drawer since I moved in. When I walk back, they’ve already opened all of Vid’s gifts.

I make my way to Vid and hand her the small jewelry box. “One more.”

She looks down at it and turns her head to the side. “Sire—”

“Just open it, Vidia.” She shakes her head and lets out a sigh as she takes the small box from my hand. When she opens it, I can tell she immediately recognizes the ring. She looks up at me, dumbfounded.

“You kept it?”

I look between her eyes, trying to figure out if that’s a good or bad thing. I’m going with the former.

“Well, I searched for two days in the heat after you threw it at me that night, so yeah, I kept it.” She looks up at me with a sad smile and lets out a soft chuckle. She moves her matching best friend ring to her middle finger and places the one I got her four years ago on her pointer but hesitates before slipping it on completely.

“This doesn’t change anything, Sire. It has the same meaning as when you first gave it to me. It’s just a ring for when I’m anxious.” I nod my head so she can put it on, but the ring never had the same meaning to us. It meant the complete opposite to me as it did to her.

There’s a heavy knock on the door, tearing our gazes from each other. Vid jumps a bit, and I give her a reassuring smile. I lift Isa from where she is on the counter and set her down.

“Your annoying dad is here.” She runs to the door, and her little feet pitter-patter on my hardwood floors. I open the door, and before Jackson can tell me off, Isa hugs his leg.

“Daddy! I had so much fun with Uncle Sigh today.” I give him anI told you sosmile, and he rolls his eyes at me.

“You did? Well, Uncle Sigh didn’t tell me he was picking you up from school early. You missed math.” He looks up at me, then adds, “Again.” He's looking at me like he’s about to kick my ass, but he wouldn’t dare in front of Isa, so I’m safe… for now.

“It was a surprise.” Isa nods her head and says it like she’s so sure, as if she planned the surprise. I quickly recall how Vid jumped, scared at the hard knock, and scold Jackson.

“Don’t knock so hard next time.” That maniac who broke into Vid’s apartment must have made her nervous about loud knocking, so I’ll be sure to tell August not to knock so loud when he comes over.

Jackson looks over at me, clearly annoyed, but I go on before he can. “And they shouldn't have math at the end of the day. The kids are already tired.” He opens his mouth to say something, but at the sound of a muffled laugh, his head snaps to the side, and his eyes quickly soften.

“Vidia.” I turn to her, and she has a warm smile on her face.

“Hey, Jackson.” He walks further into the house, and I close the door behind him, making sure to lock it.

“How are you?”

“I’m holding up.” She keeps saying that, and I don’t know if it’s starting to sound more believable because it’s true or because she’s better at voicing the lie. “Your daughter is beautiful.” Isa looks between them, and she covers her mouth like she’s shy.

“And she’s very smart. I don’t think she needs math.” Vidia steals a glance at me, and I hold back a laugh as Jackson shakes his head. They catch up quickly, but after a while, Jackson has toleave, and I find myself happy it’s just the two of us for however long she decides to stay today.

Chapter Nineteen

Vidia

Four Years Earlier

Ialmost reach the boat,and I can see it’s a lot bigger than I expected. I’ve always wanted a boat party for my birthday, and Sire said he could find someone with a boat. I’m a bit surprised he got it for free.

It’s decorated with blue and gold streamers. I can see Sire, shirtless in swim trunks, tying gold balloons that spell out my name, and I feel myself smiling.

I climb into the boat and make my way to him. Once I reach him, he’s already sitting, and next to him is a slice of tres leche along with piña colada, both missing the cherries they usually come with.

I look between the sweets and him, not being able to stop the smile creeping onto my face. He pulls me onto his lap, kissingthe side of my face. “Do you like everything?” I nod excitedly as I look around the boat again.

He kisses my neck a few times, but then someone calls him. I stand from his lap just as Sage reaches us in an emerald green bikini, holding a bunch of balloons and what looks like a gift.

“Happy birthday, pretty!” Her eyes land on my chest. “Oh my god, your tits look so freaking bomb in that bikini top.” I laugh at how excited she sounds and give her a hug while thanking her.

When we pull apart, she hands the gift to me and then gives the balloons to Sire. “Here you go.”

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