Page 82 of If You Were Mine (After We Fall 3)
“And apologized, just like you said. Told me he’d panicked. Asked for another chance.”
“It’s like I wrote the script!” she said happily.
I laughed. “It is.”
“So things are good?”
“So far.” I hesitated. “He’s kind of…a complicated guy. One of those guys who has a lot of baggage and doesn’t like to talk about it.”
“Oh. Believe me, I get that. That’s Jack to a tee.”
“He was really open with me over the last couple days, but that was sort of my condition. I told him if he wanted another chance, he had to let me in.”
“Good for you,” she said firmly.
“And he did,” I said. “It’s crazy, Margot. For the first time, I feel really good about someone. Hopeful, but not in a rush. I’m just excited to see where it takes us, you know?”
“Perfect. Enjoy this stage of it—that newness is such a thrill. I will even let you keep your hundred bucks.”
I grinned. “I’ll buy you a nice wedding present.”
“So when do we get to meet him? Before the wedding, I hope?”
“That would be fun. I’ll get in touch with Jaime, and maybe we can find a date sometime this month.”
“Sounds good. I’m really happy for you, Claire.”
“Thanks.” My stomach fluttered. “I’m happy, too.”
Twenty-Nine
Claire
* * *
Good things happened in January.
Theo and I finished my kitchen restoration—he even got me a discount on the gorgeous granite countertop I chose since he’d started working at the stoneworks again. We pulled up the old floor, laid the new travertine tiles, refinished the table, and above it we hung a fantastic vintage light fixture Theo found at a salvage shop.
We had dinner downtown with Jaime, Quinn, Jack, and Margot, and Theo charmed them just like he’d charmed me the first time we met.
“Oh my God, he’s adorable.” Margot grabbed my elbow the moment we got into the ladies room after dinner. “And you guys look so cute together—he’s so tall!”
“He is.” I giggled. “Sometimes it’s a challenge.”
“So how are things?” Jaime asked, taking her lipstick from her purse.
“Good.” I shrugged. “I mean, it’s only officially been a couple weeks, but it feels really good.”
Jaime nodded, her eyes narrowing. “I’ve got the vibe about you guys. I don’t know what it is, but it seems right.”
“It’s chemistry,” said Margot. “Did you see the way he looks at her? I thought he was going to eat her for dessert.”
Jaime smirked. “The night is young, Margot. Give him time.”
Later, we got in the car and Theo exhaled. “Fuck. I was nervous.”
“You were?” That surprised me. “It didn’t show.”
