Page 64 of The Final Deal

“Still hurts that the people closest to me would do this,” I say softly.

He sighs and wraps his arms around me. “I know, princesa. I get bein’ mad about it, but don’t be too hard on him. He loves you almost as much as I do.”

I pull away slightly and chuckle. “Almost?”

“Yeah, almost.” He smiles briefly. “What happened out there?”

My head shakes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Neither of us pull away or twitch in the slightest to move.

I search his eyes for some reassurance—any little hint that he meant his promises yesterday. “Do you love me? Forever and always?”

He answers with a warm, soft kiss on my lips. “I love you forever and always, princesa.”

I squeeze him hard, soaking up that love and tucking it away to keep pushing forward.

“You should go talk to him,” Dree murmurs.

I kiss him once more before heading toward Zak’s side of the house. His hallway is dark and quiet, save for the small sounds of a video playing; probably from his phone, like always. I crack the door and peep in, finding him sitting in bed, back against the headboard, phone playing at high volume like he’s blaring the world out.

When I swing the door open, he pauses his video and watches as I climb into bed beside him. I situate myself until I sit with my arm pressed against the length of his.

There’s a faintclickof a phone’s power button as he sets his phone aside. We sit in silence together, both of us probably staring at each other’s knees like weirdos and waiting for someone to move or say something.

“I know you made your deal in a really desperate situation,” I start, “so I don’t fault you for it. I’m just hurt by the compounding effect of everything that’s happened, you know? I know life ain’t fair, but way to fuck me sideways.”

He laughs through his nose. His hand moves, but he stops halfway in between us, like he wanted to put it on my thigh or take my hand in his but remembered that I’m mad at him. So I take his hand and intertwine our fingers with a light squeeze.

I turn to face him, and his lips are immediately on mine. I lean into his kiss, resting a hand on his cheek and letting his facial hair tickle my nose until I can’t take it anymore and have to pause to scratch.

“Sorry,” I laugh.

He smiles. “You smell like gravy.”

I snort and push his face away. “You’re the one who made it for me.”

“Get back here. Maybe I don’t mind you smellin’ like gravy.”

Zak kisses me again and again, over and over, a repetitious apology that says he knows words aren’t enough but he’s sorry, anyway.

“I’m sorry, babe,” he expresses again. The sorrow dims the light in his eyes. “If I could go back?—”

I shush him by placing a finger over his lips. “I’m glad you did it,” I murmur. “I’d rather have my feelings hurt for a day than the alternative. Just… just promise you’ll love me no matter what.”

It’s a lie I’m asking him to promise, but one that will ease the burning ache deep inside enough to make me keep going.

We’re so close to the end—the light of the tunnel is starting to shine so bright.

“I swear I’ll love you until I take my final breath, and I’ll keep loving you in the afterlife,” he repeats, reminding me of the vows he made to me.

Forever.

This is forever.

I just hope forever lasts well after the new year.

“And I swear if the devil comes for you, I’ll give up my life for you.”

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