Page 78 of Dreams and Desires

He kisses me softly, as if savoring the moment, and then he leaves. The door shuts quietly behind him, and the room falls into a gentle silence. I sink back onto the couch, a smile spreading across my face.

A while later, I decide to get dressed and make breakfast. The kitchen is bright with morning light, and I find comfort in the familiar routine of cooking. As I whisk eggs, the doorbell rings, startling me. I set the bowl down and wipe my hands on a towel before heading to the door.

When I open it, I’m greeted by a woman who looks like she stepped outof a fashion magazine. Tall, slender, with long blonde hair cascading down her back, she has striking blue eyes and flawless skin. She can’t be much older than her late-twenties. My heart sinks as I take in her effortless beauty.

“Hello,” she says with a warm yet curious smile. “I’m Meredith. I wanted to see who Zade chose.”

Her words catch me off guard, and defensiveness and insecurity bubble up inside me. “What do you mean by that?” I ask sharply. My brows furrow slightly, and my heart starts to race.

Meredith’s smile doesn’t waver, but her eyes soften. “I just wanted to meet the woman who managed to capture Zade’s heart. And now that I see you, I can understand why. You’re gorgeous.”

I blink, not expecting such a compliment. “Uh, thanks. Do you want to come in?” I step aside, still wary but intrigued by her friendliness.

“Sure, if it’s not too much trouble,” she says, stepping inside gracefully. Her movements are fluid, almost ethereal, making me feel clumsier in comparison.

We move to the kitchen, and I offer her a seat at the table. “Can I get you something to drink? Tea, coffee?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Tea would be lovely,” she replies, her eyes scanning the room with interest. She seems genuinely curious, not judgmental, which eases my nerves a bit.

As I prepare the tea, I can’t shake the feeling of being plain and awkward next to her. She’s poised, confident, and every bit the kind of woman I’ve always felt I couldn’t measure up to. But I push those thoughts aside, reminding myself to focus on being a good hostess.

Once the tea is ready, I bring the cups to the table and sit across from her. “So, how did you know I was here?” I ask, cutting straight to the point.

She smiles, taking a delicate sip of the tea. “Zade’s mom mentioned it. We’re close. She was so ecstatic about everything and needed to share it with someone, so she told me.”

I study her face, searching for any hint of malice or hidden motives. “You know Zade well?”

Meredith nods, her expression calm as she sets her cup down. “We were engaged once. A long time ago.” There’s a subtle sadness in her eyes, a flicker of something that tells me this isn’t easy for her to talk about.

My heart skips a beat. “Oh,” is all I can manage, feeling a pang of jealousy and insecurity twist in my chest.

She gives me a small, wistful smile. “It didn’t work out, obviously. We weren’t right for each other. Zade was... different back then. He was selfish, always putting his work before everything else. But I suppose he’s changed now, and I know that’s because of you.”

I swallow hard, her words sinking in. “What do you mean?” I ask. My hands fidget with the handle of my mug, the warmth of the tea providing little comfort.

Meredith leans forward, her gaze earnest. “I mean, if you made that selfish jerk able to care, you must be one hell of a woman. Zade’s never been the type to open up, to put someone else’s needs before his own. But he’s done that for you, hasn’t he?”

I nod slowly. “Yes, he has. He’s been... amazing.” My eyes meet hers, and I see genuine kindness and admiration there.

Meredith reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “I’m happy for you, Juniper. Truly. I just wanted to meet the woman who made Zade into a better man.” Her smile is sincere, and her eyes shine with unshed tears.

Tears well up in my eyes, but I blink them away, offering her a genuine smile. “Thank you, Meredith. That means a lot.” My voice trembles slightly, but I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.

We sit and chat for a while, sharing stories and laughter. Despite my initial defensiveness, I find myself liking her. She’s kind and genuine, and by the end of our conversation, I feel a strange sense of camaraderie.

As she gets up to leave, she gives me a warm hug. “Take care of him, Juniper. He’s a jerk, but he’s also a good man, and he’s lucky to have you.”

“I will,” I promise, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for her visit. My arms wrap around her in a sincere embrace.

After she leaves, I sit back down at the table, sipping my tea and reflecting on our conversation. I realize that I don’t need to compare myself to anyone else. Zade chose me for who I am, and that’s more than enough.

ChapterThirty-Nine

Zade

As we enter the jet, I can feel Juniper is on edge.

“I need to tell you something,” she mutters, not looking me in the eye.

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