Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 567(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 567(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“Life is fragile as hell,” he tells me, more of that warmth in his voice spilling out until it drowns me. And baby, I go down willingly. “Didn’t realize just how much until this past week when I could’ve lost it all. When I almost lost you.”
“What about the company?” I manage. “It’s a big move. You’re positive they can manage without you there all the time?”
“Higher Ends will survive just fine without me chained to it. We’ll fill in the gaps. With the Mill deal blown, maybe our profits won’t be as big for the next few years as we adjust to slower growth, but that’s okay. There are more important things. Like driving you up the wall.”
Yep.
I must be dreaming.
No way are we in this dingy alley charting all these dreams—all these ginormous changes—just for me.
No way is Dexter Rory altering the constellations in the sky to make me happy.
Oh, but he is, and it’s so freaking beautiful I’m riding this high, and I never want to come down.
“I love you, Juniper Winkley,” he says, and his face has lost its smile. He’s deadly serious as he looks at me. “I’ve known it for a while, but I pretended I didn’t because we told ourselves it was make-believe. Now, I’m not afraid. It was always real to me, and if you’ll have me, I want to find out how sweet life can be. Together.”
“Dude, stop. I’m out of tears,” I warn him, fighting my trembling lips. But he pulls me into him for a second time and I let him. “Jesus. Dex, do you have to be so cheesy with the sweet puns?”
He knows I’m laughing after every word.
And he chuckles again, the happiness reverberating through his chest. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Too sweet for you after all?”
“You’re obnoxious,” I whisper fondly, my eyes brimming again. But this time—and it feels insane that it can happen this fast—it’s from joy.
Dexter has my whole heart in his palm, but instead of crushing it, he’s giving it new life.
“But I love you, too. You overbearing, irritating, unromantic—”
His kiss shuts me up.
Perfectly timed.
There, I taste my tears, the salt mingling with the leftover sweetness from the cake pop. His lips are gentle at first, a reassurance rather than a demand.
His fingers linger on my chin, tilting my face to his, and even though I’m arguably the most disgusting creature alive right now, he tightens his arm around my waist, holding me against him tightly enough until I lose track of where I end and he begins.
So this is what love is supposed to feel like.
“I don’t usually do second chances,” he mutters against my mouth. “But I think we deserve it this time. Don’t you?”
I tug his face back down to mine, so giddy I’m grateful he’s holding me so I don’t float away.
“Of course. Now shut it and kiss me again.”
28
SWEET PROMISES (DEXTER)
Months Later
If you’d asked me nine months ago where I’d be, I probably would have talked about Higher Ends and its profit reports.
I might’ve mentioned my cardio goals, my supplement plan, or my golf score on the green after striking a massive deal with Forrest Haute (fucking cringe).
I definitely would not have said anything about aprons, kitchens, and cakes.
“There’s flour on you,” Mother fusses, twisting me around so she can flick it off my arm with her long jade nails. I tried explaining fake nails don’t have any place in a kitchen, but she made some comment about acrylics and brushed me off.
So here we are.
Here I am, living a life I never expected.
“Aprons are supposed to get flour on them, you know,” I tell her.
“Oh, hush. You’ll spoil the effect.”
“For God’s sake. I don’t need you fussing over me. I’m not ten years old.”
She purses her lips as she looks at me, her freshly dyed hair hanging over her shoulder in gentle waves. It’s the first time I’ve seen her with red highlights.
She hasn’t said it, no, but I think she views Junie a bit like a new muse for her fashion.
“You look so handsome.” Her eyes glitter as she gushes praise. “I can’t believe the day has finally come.”
“Like I can?” Although I’ve spent a hilariously long time planning today in every painstaking detail.
Given its simplicity, Junie would laugh herself blue in the face if she knew how much I’ve been fretting over this.
Planning is my forte, sure, but this is too much. I’m embarrassed by it.
Also, I never should have involved my mother.
The minute you turn Delly Rory loose, anything might happen.
She stands in the middle of the kitchen now, hands on her hips as she surveys the mess we’ve made like it’s an old friend. When she decides to cook at home, she leaves behind astonishing chaos as she tries to recreate family favorites from memory.