Page 133 of Mine

Regardless of what happened, I wanted to be his.

It was crazy how fast things could change. But, I knew deep down in my bones that what we had was right for me.

“Maybe you can help me pick out my dress,” I said.

“I’d like that.”

He slowed the car and turned off onto a narrow road. I drank up the last of the sunshine, studying the trees that lined the street. “I bet it’s beautiful out here in the fall.”

“It is. Would you ever want to live somewhere like this?”

“Maybe,” I said. “It would be a pain to go into the office. But I’ve also thought about changing my hours and splitting them so I could work from home. Being so close to the office, I just felt like it made sense to go in every day. But if I lived further away, I’d want to change that.”

“I mean, youarethe boss.”

I was. And I also was always flexible with everyone else’s schedules, so why can’t others be with mine?

Salt turned onto a driveway and pulled past a gate, easing down the gravel until we came to a roundabout with a tree at the center. A beautiful house was in front of us, and to the right I could see a large garage and a small red barn.

The front door opened and a woman with a bright pink mohawk stepped out and waved.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the friendly welcome alleviated some of the tension I felt.

“That’s Beth,” he laughed, turning off the car. “Okay. I’m very anxious. I’ve never done this before. If you want to leave at any point?—”

“Simon,” I said gently, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “We’re both nervous. But, it’ll be good.”I hoped.

My phone beeped. I picked it up and stared.

Jeff had texted me.

Are you fucking that guy? The new client? I heard rumors about the two of you, Pepper. Is there something going on???

We need to talk

Seriously. If this is happening then it’s a problem. I know it’s the weekend but this is urgent

HELLO???

Fuck.I’d be a liar if I said my heart wasn’t beating out of my damn chest. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

I turned my phone off before he could say anything else.

Salt pressed his lips together in concern. “You okay? You look pale.”

“Yeah.” I put my phone away. Rumors were just rumors, I reminded myself. Jeff didn’t have proof, and he wasn’t going to ruin my night. “We’ve got this.”

He stole one more soothing kiss, and we both got out of his car.

Beth came down the front steps to meet us with open arms. Salt bent down to give her a hug, and she patted his back, but then turned her full attention on me.

“I’m Beth,” she said. “Are you a hugger?”

“Sure,” I said. “I’m Pepper?—”

She gave me a big hug that had Salt sighing. “She’s always like this. At least she asked for consent?—”

“Oh shush,” Beth said, pulling back. Her cheeks were rosy and I felt a wave of comfort from her, one that brought my heart rate down just a bit. “You are gorgeous, Pepper. Come on inside. We don’t bite hard.”

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