I give him a hard look, slapping him in the stomach, making him laugh.
“But now, now it means I’m missing my heart. Because I love you, I’m forced to leave it behind. We will survive this.”
I sigh. “I know.”
We separate, and Jennings steps back, pulling something out of his coat. “This…,” he begins, producing a small red velvet box. “This isn’t what you think it is.”
I cross my arms, feeling glorious. Whatever is in that box is about to change our lives.
“This is a promise.” He opens the box, showcasing a yellow diamond, the rose gold band hugging it tight. “It’s a promise that no matter what, I’ll always be with you. I love you, and this life is just the one we were dealt. No matter what you decide to do, I’ll support you.”
In the months I was gone, Jennings and Bradley founded a production company, named Skybox. And I was offered a position at the studio, teaching and educating the children that travel with their actor parents.
He clutches my face. “This is my promise to you,” he says with undying assurance.
There are very few things I allow myself to want in this life. Before Jennings, my life was filled with things I had to do. I had to go to school. I had to save money for my future. I had to date a different man every month because it hurt too much to get attached. I’ve never simply wanted something for me. But, I want to go with him. I want to accept the job and never be apart from him.
It’s irrational, that much is true. Who flits away to work for their celebrity boyfriend?
Crazy people, that’s who.
But, it’s what I want.
“Jennings,” I tell him. “Can you tell Stewart to wait here for an hour or so?”
A broad smile appears on his face and he slowly nods his head. “I definitely think I can do that.”
“I think I’ll take that job, now.”
“Really?” he makes sure, a smile threatening to break.
“Really, really,” I resolve, beaming with excitement.
He kisses me, bringing me into his body.
“Stewart,” he shouts over his shoulder.
Stewart, who has been walking around the jet, checking gauges and pulling on wires, stops his inspection, turning toward us. “Sir?”
“Can we hold off for an hour?” Jennings asks.
“Two,” I whisper in his ear, squeezing his tush, letting him know why we’d need the second hour.
He groans, low and hungry. “Two,” he rasps out. “Let’s take two hours and meet back up.”
“Is Miss Hayes gracing us with her company?” Stewart inquires with a smile playing on his lips.
I swear, he knows everything.
“She is,” Jennings says confidently, wrapping his arm around my waist.
“It’s about time, you two,” Stewart commends, giving me a wink. “It’s about damn time.” He tips his hat and retreats to the plane, leaving us alone on the tarmac.
Taking my hand, Jennings leads me back to his orange Mustang. When he starts the engine, he looks to me. “Finding you was pure luck, Whitley. My life had already been blessed with an abundance of wonderful things. I thought I’d reached my quota way before I met you. But, what I didn’t know was that before you, life wasn’t the vibrant, colorful world it is now. I lived in that sea of black and white, just like you did. It took your love to help me see the color.”
My eyes find his and I grab his hand, holding it firmly. “We found each other. Jennings, we are the color. We are reason. We are—forever.”
He smirks my way, showing his dimples while his green and blue eyes display openly for me to see. I’ve come to love them so very much. They make Jennings magnificence even more obvious. Perfection doesn’t always come from the beauty, but from the flaws. And our flaws are what make us so strong. They keep us resilient. They make us unique. Good or bad, our mistakes make us human.
“Even that won’t be enough.” He kisses the inside of my wrist. “Now, come on, Pretty Girl, let’s go chase our forever in the stars.”
The End
YOU KNOW HOW THEY say nice guys finish last? Well, I always finish first, if that tells you anything. I’ve never been denied a thing in my life. Cars, boats…women, I got everything I’ve ever wanted.
Everything except Whitley Hayes, that is. She somehow managed to slip through my fingers and into the arms of Jennings Cohen, also known as, Oliver Adams, also known as my damn cousin.
That was a shocker, I’ll tell you.
Oliver was always such a pussy. He couldn’t just be normal like the rest of us. Nope, he had to join drama club and embarrass our entire family.
All American Boy, my ass.
It was damn shame, is what it was.
Everything he did was a way of making my life hell. The moment he moved away was the first day I felt free of his disgrace.
When you live in Alabama and you don’t follow the status quo, life is shit. Complete and total bullshit, straight from the cows you milk.
But, none of that mattered in the grand scheme of things, because I ruled our hometown.
And now, I rule Camford-Hale. It is my school. I call the shots, I make the guidelines, and everyone plays my games.
Whitley may have graduated and is engaged to Oliver, but that doesn’t mean I still won’t fight to get her back.
The wedding is in exactly one year from today, and until she walks down that aisle, I’m going to pull out every card I have in my hand.
Because, I get what I want.
I take the things I desire.
And, I crave Whitley.
I don’t even have to play dirty to get her back. If the past is any indication of the future, Oliver will mess it up without my help.
I can only hope.
If I can’t have her, neither can he.
I’m not the type to bow out and cease-fire.
This is only the beginning.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, thank you to the reader. YOU. Thank you for reading this story. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love. You keep this little Indie chug-chugging along. I love each and every one of you. Please, feel free to contact me on Facebook anytime to talk or discuss. My door is always open!
Thank you to the bloggers. Big and small, I love each and every one of you. Thank you for every share, every like, every cover reveal post, every blog tour and blitz blog spot. And more importantly, thank you for taking a chance and reviewing this book. Whether you loved it or wanted to throw it out of your car window, thank you. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read the world I’ve put together for you. Just…thank you. I love you all.
As always, my whole heart and soul are responsible for making this book happen. My husband. I love you. The stars aren’t the only things that shine. You do, sweet man. You bring light into my world. It was dark before you and now it’s brighter than the sun. You make life better. Forever and always, my Yapa.
To my daughter. Thank you for keeping me grounded. You remind me everyday what life is really about. You are my anchor. All I have to do is look into your eyes and I know I have a purpose in this crazy world. I love you. Also, you REALLY shouldn’t be reading this book if you’re younger than seventeen. Seriously kid, if you’re reading this right now and you’re younger, I’m probably standing behind you giving you the mom-stink-eye, so put the book down and turn around.
To April Hundza Gutierrez. Thank for the non-stop love and encouragement. Thank you for the kick in the ass when I needed it. There were times when I’d doubt myself or the story and you’d remind me that this is my passion, and even if I think it’s shit, to keep going. You constantly help me chase my dream. I love you. Forever my friend, and eternally my sister.
Erin Spencer. My other half. My EAR-in. You make my life better. Your silliness and love are what keep me going. You are family. We were separated at birth. That has to be it—it’s the only explanation. If I didn’t have you in my corner, I’d be a sad sack. Your undying faith in me
boggles my mind. I wish I could show you how important you are to me, but I can’t. Here’s to Ansel licking and cuddling the f*ck out of Jennings. Thank you for everything you bring to my life.
Jess Vogel and Ashlei Davison, my brave and fearless betas. Day-in and day-out you lend an ear to listen to me freak out about Jennings and a shoulder to cry on when I’m absolutely stuck. There wouldn’t be a book without you two. I don’t know how I got so lucky having friends like you, but I did. I love you both.
Kandi Steiner. My Big. I mean—honestly…you came into my life and helped me through so much, I don’t know what I’d do without your constant love and subtle, all be it, hard nudges in the right direction. Our #WritingWednesdays helped me get over my block and pushed me to find Whit and Jennings story. You push me to be a better writer and knowing you want to read my stories makes my heart so big. You hold a special place in my heart and you’ll live there forever.
To my Mom, Monica Garrett. I love you. I write to make you laugh—and cry. Sorry about that. But, I do what I do to make you proud. Thank you for showing me that even if I think I can’t do something, there’s always a way.
To Jennifer Bailey. Can I just say f*ck?! Because, I love that you love that word right along with me. My sweet friend, Jen, I’m so very blessed to know a kind woman like you. Your words inspire me, and I hope I can do the same for you. Thank you for entering my crazy world, and not falling off the rollercoaster. If anyone has pushed me to finish, it was you. Your daily check-in’s helped me see that I needed to haul booty and write. Thank you, my dear friend.
To Tommy Sims. You were the first person to read my first book and I can’t thank you enough for loving my characters. Your unwavering support is something that brings me joy on a constant basis. When I’m having a rough day, I look back to your texts and remind myself that someone—somehow loves the words I’ve written. Here’s to sharing my husband, Duane and now, Jennings. It’s a good thing you’re so amazing, otherwise, I’d keep them for myself.
CASSIE GRAHAM IS THE AUTHOR of Unable to Resist. She also hates talking about herself, it makes her nervous and somewhat sweaty. So, she’s going to make this short.
While writing is her true passion, her family is even more important. Her ultimate happy place is sitting in her house with her husband and daughter while writing stories about lovers who are meant to be together. She’d live in that world forever if she could.
Contact Cassie:
https://www.facebook.com/authorcassiegraham
http://cassieagraham.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/cassgraham12
If you loved this book, or even thought it was okay, please take a moment to review it on the site where you purchased it. Goodreads works, too. Your time and feedback is incredibly appreciated and valued.
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