Page 262 of His White Moonlight
“Nine?”Karter asked.“How did he manage that?All I have is my car, some stock in Wulf Enterprises, and about two hundred and fifty thousand from working the last three years.”
“Same.”
“You’ll have to ask Bennett,” I said.“But I’ll take your salary, and you can keep your car so you can go back to work as Bennett’s lackey.”
“You’re quitting?”Grandma asked from in front of me.
“Yep.The end of August.Then I’m going to school to get my degree.”
A chorus of howls rang out ahead of us, followed by snarls.
“Better pick up the pace,” Grandma said, walking faster.
We caught up just as Bennett ended Storm and Dad ended Olivia.
I didn’t look away.
EPILOGUE
Music thumped loudlyin the bar, and I grinned at Sophia as she plopped down next to me, holding out a cocktail.
“Here’s to you,” she said.“For getting your degree in just three years.I really wish I’d gone to your school and had credits when I started college so I wouldn’t be looking at another year come this fall.”
I clinked glasses with her.“No, you don’t.We both would have been tortured.”
She leaned in and kissed my cheek.“For you, it would have been worth it.”
Winking at her, I took a sip of my drink.
The years I’d spent feeling abandoned and alone felt like a distant memory.Sophia was one of my closest friends.She knew all about my past and about who Bennett was to me.
It would have been hard to keep either of them from her.We’d roomed together the first year in the dorms then moved into the place Bennett had renovated.She’d witnessed the trauma my years of school had left me with and hadn’t turned away from it.She’d accepted me, my screaming nightmares, and how easily I could startle under the right circumstances.And she’d helped me heal with that acceptance.
Sophia had also been a great friend whenever I’d needed to talk about my fears of a future with Bennett, which hadn’t been very often because he’d been nearly perfect at adapting to what I needed, to get what he needed…me.Although he’d shown up occasionally, he’d otherwise kept his word.He hadn’t moved with me.
He’d called nightly and messaged throughout the day.He was always present.Always there for me.But not in a caging way.In a supportive one.During the first two months of school, I’d gone home every weekend, leaving after my last class on Friday.After that, I’d started leaving Saturday morning.
He’d struggled with the separation a few times, but when he did, he’d reach out, asking for some in-person time.He never interfered with who I talked to.Never said anything about who he smelled on me.He would just hold me, tell me he missed me, and usually spend the night in my bed.
He’d learned to let go.And so had I.I’d gone to parties and other social events with Sophia and made more friends.None as close as her, though.Or as close as Miranda, who’d messaged daily without fail.Sometimes it was office gossip.Sometimes pack gossip.Sometimes it was a random picture of whatever jewelry or bag she was lusting after.
“I’m surprised your furred wonder let you out for some fun on your first night home,” Sophia said, bringing me back to the present.
“He promised that he’d stay away until I texted him for a ride home, and I promised to be his for twenty-four hours in return.”
She paused mid-sip.“As in his-his?As in you’re finally saying yes?”
I just smiled and took another sip.
“Wow.So, like, is this your bachelorette party?Shit, I should have ordered some guys.Call Miranda and tell her to come out.”
She pressed her hands together, silently pleading with me.After meeting, the pair had hit it off, mostly because Sophia and Miranda both shared a love for fashion and enjoyed having fun.I was a little worried about the fun part, though.
“If I call her, do you promise not to order any male models?”
“I swear.”
I sent a text.
