Page 58 of Pieces of Us
“Mel has trouble seeing the gray areas of life. I’ve gotten to know her pretty well over the past year. She met you and then formed her belief of you over your first couple of interactions. If you want to change that, it’s only going to happen with actions and consistency.”
“I know.” I nod. “I know I have an uphill battle when it comes to how she sees me, but I think I’m making a little headway. AllI can do is show up every day, be there, and be a calm place for her.”
“See, you get it.”
We sit in silence for a while, working our way through the entire pizza.
“If I tell you something, will you promise not to laugh at me?”
Jax crosses his heart like a ten-year-old. “Promise.”
“The only sad part of all of this for me is that I always imagined all this would happen after I was married. Like, find the one, get married, try for a baby, get pregnant. Seems a little bittersweet at times.”
“I never took you for a romantic.” He pushes my shoulder.
“I’ve told you about how I wanted to eventually get married and all that.”
“I remember.”
“Then don’t act surprised.”
Jax wipes his mouth and throws the paper towel in the empty pizza box. “Listen, I know this might not be happening in the order you imagined. But what I have found is that some of the best things in life don’t necessarily happen like I plan.”
“Who’s the romantic now?” I side eye him.
“Shut up. I’m serious, though. Sometimes I think God, the Universe, whatever is out there, has a much better story for us than what we can come up with ourselves. And sometimes, when things get rough or when we’re the most conflicted, the best things happen.”
I nod, looking down at my hands. “Maybe you’re right.” I clap his back. “Thanks for listening.”
“Anytime.” He slaps my back in return. “Now let’s go pack up your unmentionables.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Melonie
It’s almost noon on Saturday, and Linc’s mom and I are watching the last piece of furniture be wheeled out of my apartment. I’m fighting back tears as usual. I’m realizing that I’m giving up my own personal space, and that I’m going to share a home with a man.
I have lived with two different boyfriends over the years, so I’m no stranger to the situation. I’ve just never had a male roommate. For some reason, my brain sees a stark difference between the two.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket, I grab it, seeing Linc’s name on the screen, and answer it. “Hey, Linc.”
“Hi, Mel, how are things going with the movers? We’re done with my stuff; I can come help if needed.”
“No need. They just loaded the last of it. We should be there in about twenty minutes or so.”
“Are you hungry?”
I smile. He’s always concerned about my status on the hunger scale.
“I could eat.”
“Cheeseburger or Thai?”
I whisper to Linc’s mom. “Linc’s going to get food. Are you a fan of Thai?”
She quickly nods her head. “Tell him to get Cashew Chicken.”
I bring the phone back to my ear. “Can we do Thai, please? Your mom asked for Cashew Chicken.”
