Page 77 of Your Love

I love this woman.

“Yes, we’re thinking of getting a dog. We have our hearts set on a Golden Retriever, which we will name Cindy Clawford or something equally dorky and adorable, as a nod to Grammie Ida.”

Kerri bounces up and down and claps at the news.

“How long has this been going on?” I ask, gesturing between the two.

“Christian Landry,” she scolds, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice. “You know damn well this has been in the works since eighth grade. The question and answer period has come to a close.” Sash declares.

“Baby, that was awesome!” Taz says, wrapping her in a hug.

We surround them, offering our congratulations. “Congratulations, you guys! I’m so happy for you.” Kerri beams.

“Good job, Taz,” I tell him, playfully slapping his back. “Only took you a decade.”

“You’re one to talk,” he says, nodding toward where Kerri is now animatedly talking with Ivy, Sarah, and Sash.

A grin spreads across my face, my cheeks aching from the effort. As I look up at Taz, his blue eyes bore into mine with a playful curiosity.

“What are you hiding from me?” he asks, his voice laced with teasing.

My smile falters slightly, and I shrug, trying to keep myself composed. “It’s nothing.”

Taz raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Have you heard from your ex?”

“She’s engaged again,” I say casually.

Taz lets out a low scoff. “Well, you dodged a bullet there.”

“What about the douche nozzle from Texas?” he asks.

“Beau?” I scoff. “Last I heard, he was in rehab.”

“He’s lucky he’s not six feet under,” Taz muses.

I nod. “There’s nothing I could do to him that he isn’t doing to himself.”

“Damn straight, brother.”

“Let’s go join the rest of the group,” I suggest.

As we make our way over to them, I’m struck by the bond between this group of friends. Through thick and thin, we have been there for each other. In this moment, surrounded by love and laughter, I can’t help but feel hopeful that things will work out for all of us.

Chapter 36

“You and Me”

Kerri - Age 23, 1993

The atmosphere in the cab is unusually quiet as we make our way back to the hotel. I can sense something is on Landry’s mind, but I know better than to push him when he’s in his head.

We stand side by side in the elevator, not exchanging a single word until it reaches level seven, my floor. “Will I see you tomorrow for brunch?” I ask tentatively.

“You’ll see me before that,” he responds with a breathy chuckle before pressing his lips against mine in a heated kiss. I eagerly respond by tangling my fingers in his hair and pulling him closer, our bodies melting together as if they were made for this moment.

We break apart as the elevator doors open. Landry’s hands trail down my back and settle on my ass, his touch igniting a fire within me. With ease, he lifts me up, and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, my heart racing with anticipation.

Without breaking eye contact, Landry guides us down the hallway and into my room. He sets me down gently on my feet and cradles my face in his strong, calloused hands.