Page 160 of Cross the Line
“Yes,” Eli breathes at last, setting his journal on his thigh and taking Fin’s other hand. “It’s perfect.”
Peering at the cover, I take in each of the drawings—angel wings, his jersey, the Hollywood sign, the beach, and above the willow tree, there’s a comet with a Nanotyrannus standing on top of it.
That’s me.
Finley put me on there.
I know she can draw from what I’ve seen of her journal and the mural she painted for her boss, but this is another level of talent. It’s another level of thoughtfulness, and as I read the quote beneath Eli’s initials, I’m floored for him.
For all my broken bones, my spirit remains unbreakable.
Damn, Finley has no idea what those words mean to Eli. She has no real understanding of how true they are. Still, she wrote them because every beat of his heart is her own.
They’re one perfect, beautiful heart.
My heart.
And I won’t ever let them go.
CHAPTER 42
ELIJAH
The weather in Miami is balmy as I sit out on the balcony of our hotel residence, flicking through the gratitude journal Finley made me while she and Jayden soak in the step-down hot tub..
They’re chatting away, laughing with each other, and I find myself adding to the list of things I’m grateful for in my life—the sound of JJ and Fin laughing together.
I could listen to it all day, every day, and never grow tired of it. The way his deeper voice brings out the feminine lilt of hers. It’s music to my ears.
Then there’s the sight of Finley, sitting back in that big tub, the bubbles fizzing at her chin… She’s so damn brave and strong, and I’m insanely proud of her for conquering her fear.
I don’t know where I went right to be blessed with them. I’m so grateful for their presence in my life and all the love they give me, even when I don’t deserve it. It’s why they’re at the top of the list.
1. Jayden and Finley
When Connie told me to make the list, I thought it would be easy. But the more I’ve thought about the things that I’m grateful for, the ones that bring me joy to leave the past behind, it’s like I’ve had it all wrong.
For a long time, I wasn’t looking for joy. I was using fleeting pain to gloss over the scars that were still bleeding beneath the surface. I think they’re finally scabbing over now. Thanks to Jayden and Finley.
“Fin and I are going to check out the pool for a bit, wanna come?” Jayden asks, standing over me, wet and a shade darker from the sun.
He straddles the lounger and lifts my legs onto his thighs. “I totallyget it if you want to enjoy more of the peace and quiet before Rio gets here with the other guys. Christmas was crazy loud and?—”
“It was great,” I tell him, sitting forward, my legs hanging over his bulging quads. I peel off his sunglasses, then mine, needing his eyes. “I loved it. Every part of it.”
“Yeah, Bibi enjoyed shoveling food down your throat,” he says with a shy laugh.
“And I loved trying everything. The eggplant dip with coconut yogurt and walnuts, the mint, and the spices—insane. I could eat it every day.” My mouth waters just thinking about it.
“Never tell her that. She’ll move in just to fatten you up,heart stealer,” JJ says with a hint of Bibi’s twang.
“What’s the word Bibi uses?” I know it; I want to hear him say it in that throaty drawl that warms my skin.
Jayden narrows his eyes and leans in, rough thumbs tracking my ribs as he enunciates, “Del-ro-ba…”
“I’m sorry…” I swallow. “Come again, I missed that.”
The green in his eyes glints with awareness as he shuffles closer, canting his face to tease my lips with his breath. “I’ll come for you anytime, Sweetheart.”
