Page 21 of The Charmer
“This feels too good to be true,” she murmurs, kissing the base of my throat.
“This is just the beginning, baby.” I brush her hair back from her face and kiss the top of her head. “The beginning of everything.”
And it is.
EIGHT
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER
Jayde
“Jayde DuPree, you’re late!” Luca Pandatelli clutches his heart in mock surprise as Reese and I roll into Scott’s annual summer BBQ. Late.
“Like fifteen minutes,” I counter.
“I’ve never known you to be late until you started shacking up with this guy.” He flips his chin at Reese.
Reese flips him the bird in response and Panda chuckles, shooting me a wink to let me know he’s teasing.
But he’s also right. I’m never late. In all fairness, Reese hardly is either.
However…since we’ve started “shaking up,” we’ve been delayed quite a few times because, you know, the sex is fucking hot, okay?
Abbi gives me a knowing glance and comes over with a wine glass. “Come.” She pulls me away from Reese. He gives me a smile and I blow him a kiss and the team half groans and half cheers in glee.
“Girl, you are smitten,” Abbi says.
“I know,” I agree. “It’s awful.” But I’m smiling too damn big for any of the BHH girls to buy it.
“You’re glowing,” Chloe Crawford comments.
“Oh! Are you—” Vivi Yaeger begins to ask but I shake my head, shutting that down.
“I’m not pregnant. I’m just…happy. Happier than I’ve ever been,” I tell them the truth. It’s something I’ve gotten better at. It’s only been four weeks and already, the effect Reese has had on me is profound. Positive.
“I’m happy for you,” Claire Merrick says, clinking her wine glass against mine and taking a sip.
We’re sitting in a circle in Scott’s massive backyard, watching the guys goof off, when his girlfriend, Noelle DiSanto, appears with a tray of cupcakes and a fresh bottle of wine.
“All right, Jayde. Spill.” She passes me a cupcake, decorated in blue and white, Hawks colors, knowing the way to my heart is through baked goods.
I laugh and shake my head, embarrassed but also…not. For the first time in my life, I understand how these talented, accomplished women ended up altering their lives and careers to be with the men on the Hawks team.
I understand what it means to fall in love with a committed, emotionally available, good man. I get what it feels like to be surrounded by true friendships and people who care.
Since I said yes to Reese and a weekend away, I’ve started the process of coming into my own. Of letting others in so I can learn to trust, allow past hurts to heal, and figure out what I want my future to look like.
My eyes zero in on Reese. He’s laughing at something Declan Yaeger and Easton Scotch are saying. He looks relaxed, sunlight glinting off his hair, his posture casual.
The girls’ eyes are on me, waiting for me to give them something. But I don’t do salacious and saucy, so I tell them the simple truth.
“He’s the greatest man I know.”
Their eyes follow my line of vision, probably catching on their own partners. Appreciating, understanding, loving.
“Amen,” Claire declares, holding up her wine.
