Page 83 of Memories By the Shore
“At communicating?” I sneer.
He chuckles. “Yeah. So, I guess I’m also trying to say that you need to commit to her.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, puzzled. We got matching tattoos. That’s a pretty big commitment.
His eyes dart around the room quickly, then meet mine. “She needs to know she’ll be taken care of.”
“Dad, she has an insane amount of money with her inheritance.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t mean money.” Leaning forward, he meets me in the eye. “I mean from you.”
Suddenly, it hits me. I know what my dad is implying. “Like getting married?”
“Yes.”
I arch a brow, more than a little shocked, as he’s suggesting this. “Really? From the man who won’t marry the woman he’s sleeping with,” I quip.
“Fair enough. But Helen and I aren’t having a baby together,” he counters.
Honestly, I haven’t even thought about getting married. But sure, I’d marry Avery.Why not?It’s not like it’s going to change anything.
“It’s not the nineteen fifties anymore, but if you think I should, I will.”
My dad’s palms meet the air between us. “Only if you want to. I’m not trying to pressure you. I just want to have a real discussion with you about everything.”
I shrug my shoulders. “I will be with her forever, so why not get married.”
“Alight.” He smiles with pride. “I’m proud of you, Son.”
I smile back. Warmth fills my heart, but it’s now joined by a new emotion—protectiveness.She’ll never be alone again.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Now
Avery
The warm sunlight peeks through the translucent white curtains, pulling me out of a deep sleep. Peeling my eyelids open one at a time, I quickly note where I am—Jasper’s bedroom.
Smiling, I roll over, hoping to see him sleeping beside me. Instead of Jasper, I find space.This cannot be a dream.But then, I catch sight of a piece of paper with a handwritten note.
Went on a jog down the beach.
I’ll be back with coffee and food.
J
Of course, he’d leave a note instead of sending a simple text. Flipping onto my back, I stretch my arms out above my head. I suck in a deep breath through my nose, then exhale in relaxation. I need to check in with the girls.
I sift through the clothes piled on the wooden floor and under the bed until I find my phone. Using the white sheet to cover my bare breasts, I adjust myself, looking as natural as I can. I swipe up our group chat. When the camera flashes on the video,I notice the redness all over my chest and a few scattered bite marks.Oh my god, Jasper!Flustered, my back falls against the headboard, partly covered by a shadow. There’s no way they’re not going to notice. I prepare myself for interrogation.
Bailey answers first. “Hey!”
“Hello, my loves.” Piper’s glowing face shows up on my screen.
Lina quickly follows. “Why are you naked, Avery?”
“What, no formal greeting, Lina Bina?” I tease.
