“Is this you trying to do the right thing or something?”
“You make me sound like such an asshole.”
“The thing is I wasn’t a saint in high school myself.” It was a wonder she and Amber had survived. “I wasn’t one afterward either. If I died right now, I’d go to hell. It’d be like ‘Come on down.’”
He grinned slightly. “I love bad girls.”
She raked her hair back from her face and glanced at Jesse again. The Jeep contained her camera equipment, travel essentials, and an emergency road kit. She and Jesse were ready for their first slacker adventure. She sighed. Despite love, she and Brett chased such different stars.
“Yeah, the job in Washington is probably the biggest opportunity I’ll ever have.” She looked at the Jeep again. Moral support. “But some things are not meant to be.”
She squared her shoulders as she faced Brett. “I’m not going to Washington. I didn’t want to go. For a lot of reasons. Including you,” she added. It was time to put the truth out there. A mix of disbelief and shock unfurled across his face. It was his speechless moment for a change. She let out a pent-up breath and thought of Sam Senior’s advice. Embrace who you are.
She managed her megawatt smile.
“There’s a building for rent downtown that I’m going to look at this coming week. I plan to open a photography studio, and I’ve talked to Sid about being a staff photograph for the newspaper,” she said. “And I want to put together an anthology of small stories, like the one about Mozart and his sister.
“There won’t be any prestige in it. Very little money. I won’t be flying in Air Force One, and I doubt I’ll ever win a Pulitzer.” She gave her shoulders a shrug. “I know that’s not what you would have done, and I understand what a disappointment I am, but what can I say?” She spread her arms. “Once a slacker, always a slacker.”
Suddenly, a relieved smile erupted on his face. “You’re the best disappointment ever.” He clasped her face, his palms warm against her cool cheeks. “Marry me, Slacker.”
Her jaw dropped and he said, “I love you, and I know we can do this. We can make it last forever.”
She fought to subdue the rising joy inside her. “Are you serious?”
With a somber expression, he said, “I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
“You want to marry a slacker?”
He grinned. “You want to marry an asshole?” he countered. “I think it’s a good trade-off. Right?”
She gave it a moment. “Yeah, it’s a great trade-off.”
She leaned into him, his body offering warmth in the brisk winter breeze. Her mouth sought his and he drew out the kiss until they were starved for breath. She rested her cheek against his. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I didn’t really understand—”
“No.” He pressed his fingers to her lips. “No more apologies. Just say you love me and you trust me and you’ll make a future with me.”
She flashed him an affectionate smile. “I’ve gotta text Amber!” Too bad her phone was in the Jeep. Wait till Amber heard this.
“I just proposed and all you’re thinking about is texting your evil twin?”
“I’m thinking about you, too, sweetheart.” She cupped his jaw and planted a passionate kiss on his lips. Then she tousled his hair. “I love you, and as far as the future is concerned, you’re sticking with that position at the hospital where you can be all about success.”
“Sounds good to me,” he murmured against her mouth.
“I knew it would.” She pressed her hands against the front of his down parka and gave him her best bad girl grin. “It’s getting colder out here. We need to go home where it’s warm and we can lose some of these clothes.”
“I say we lose them all,” he responded in an eager voice.
“I love a smart guy with a good idea.” She gave him a quick kiss. As they pulled apart, she asked, “What do you think about Jesse?”
His brows flew up. “Jesse?”
“Your competition.” She pointed to the yellow Jeep. “I traded the Lexus for him.”
Brett looked at the Jeep, shining in the sunlight. “That’s what you call yellow.” He squinted as he peered through the windshield. “Are those red dice hanging from the mirror? Did you do that?”
“I did. I had to pimp him out. He’s my slackermobile.” She batted her lashes. “He may run off with one or all of your girls. He’s been checking out Cathy’s rear end.”
She heard Brett muttering as he walked toward the Camaro. “What are you mumbling about?”
He shook his head. “I’ll meet you and the slackermobile at the house.” He stopped beside the Camaro. “Oh, I found Miss Piggy. She’s in the den. I tried to get her to sleep with me last night but she’s loyal.”
“That’s moi.” Natalie started the Jeep and pulled up beside Cathy. She let down the window as Brett got in the Camaro. “Hey.”
“Yeah?” He called as he settled behind the wheel.
“I was just thinking.” She grinned and gave the red dice a thump. “What if we have a slacker baby?” She struggled to keep a straight face. “That would be justice.”
“Oh, really?” Brett gave her a mocking grin. “You know that could go either way. What if we have an asshole baby? Will you love it?”
“Always.” Natalie blew him a kiss and led the way home.
About the Author
Patricia Preston is a Southern author whose dream come true would be living in the French Quarter. Besides writing, she loves music, history, taking road trips, and anything containing chocolate. Having fun is her objective when it comes to storytelling and she hopes her readers will find her amusing, feel-good romances entertaining. You can visit her at www.patriciapreston.com.
Twitter: @pat_preston
Facebook: Patricia Preston Author on Facebook.com
Everything His Heart Desires Page 25