Page 194 of The Way I Hate Him
“But that was the fun part.”
“You’re evil,” I say as she chuckles and exits the bathroom. I follow her, and when no one is around to see us walk out together, I link my hand with hers and bring her knuckles up to my lips. I press a light kiss to her hand, and she smiles up at me.
That smile.
Those eyes.
Fuck me . . . I’m so in love with this woman.
“You deserve the world, Hayes. You deserve the good. You deserve the love. Hattie is everything I could ask for you. Recognize that and hold on to it.”
I hear you, Gran.
And I’ll make sure I do everything in my power to keep her as mine.
ChapterTwenty-Two
HATTIE
Maggie:That’s it. I’m taking a vacation.
Hattie:What happened now?
Maggie:The father of the bride kicked the mother of the bride in the actual crotch! Like shiny tuxedo shoe straight to the vag.
Hattie:What? Why?
Maggie:Oh, you know, rotten divorce. They were out on the dance floor, and he claimed kicking was how he danced, but he just happened to peg her between the legs, buckling her over. Bad move wearing a pantsuit. Men claim women don’t have it bad when getting kicked in the crotch, but I beg to differ. I saw the pain on that woman’s face, and it’s now buried deep in my soul. The only way to release it is a vacation.
Hattie:Wow, that’s quite the wedding. What happened after?
Maggie:I, of course, had to take care of father dearest and escort him away. Claimed he needed ice for his foot from the chastity belt the old hag wears—his words, not mine. I spent the rest of the night babysitting them so there wasn’t any retaliation. The groom tipped me one thousand dollars for my troubles, and I’m investing that money into a vacation.
Hattie:I think that’s smart. You work so hard.
Maggie:I do. And you know what? I’m going to go somewhere warm. Somewhere where the men wear Speedos and maybe . . . maybe even a naked beach where I can hide behind a palm leaf and just stare at all the willies walking about. I can’t tell you the last time I actually saw a penis in real life.
Hattie:A vacation fling doesn’t sound like you.
Maggie:It doesn’t, but I think I need a change. The business is thriving. I’m exhausted, and the beach is calling my name. Can you hear it? Maggie . . . Maggie . . . come to us.
Hattie:Have you gotten enough sleep lately?
Maggie:No, can you tell?
Hattie:Just a little.
Maggie:Soon, when I’m on vacation. I will get so much sleep. Have you gotten much sleep, or have you just been living it up with all the sex?
Hattie:LOL. I’ve gotten sleep.
Maggie:Shocking!
Hattie:I have my period, so it’s all been put on a break right now.
Maggie:You know, some people still do it while they’re on their period.
Hattie:And more power to them if that’s their thing, but I feel so gross and bloated that the last thing I need right now is for Hayes to strip me down to nothing.
