Deepest Scars: A Being Me Stand-Alone Companion Novel
Page 29
I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss her forehead. “You have a week. It’ll get better. I can take more time off. Be here to drive you to and from.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You don’t have to. I’m offering. That is, if you want me around.”
“You know I do.”
She rests her back on the truck door, and I inch closer to her, a smile spreading across my face. “If you’re feeling good enough to complain, maybe you feel good enough for a kiss?”
“I think I do.” She smiles.
I kiss her on the lips, and we get a whistle from a passing car. “Maybe we should go.”
“More, later.” I open the truck door for her.
Winding around to my side, I crank the truck and back out. “The insurance will pay for everything.”
“Didn’t they say it could take weeks to get a check? I need rent, utilities, food money.”
“I can loan you some money.”
“I don’t want to borrow money from you. I can take a bus to work. I used public transportation all the time in Philly.”
“You can use my truck when I’m gone.”
“What if the insurance settlement doesn’t cover everything? The ambulance, ER, all those tests.”
“We’ll figure it out. We do have two apartments.” I glance her way to see her reaction.
“What are you saying?”
“Well, we could share a place.”
She reclines her head on the headrest. “Can we talk about this when we get home?”
“Course. Do we need anything? More groceries or take out?”
“Can we be unhealthy and order pizza tonight?”
“Your wish is my command.”
At her apartment, she retires to her room, and I give her some space. It’s not long till dinner time, and I order her favorite-topping extra-large pizza. She emerges blotchy-faced from her room when the delivery guy arrives.
I decide not to mention the prior conversation about apartments, figuring it’s better to let her bring it up. We sit on the couch and dig into the pizza in silence.
“This is the best thing I’ve eaten in days,” she exclaims.
“I’m offended. All those meals, the basil chicken, the glazed salmon? What were they? Chopped liver?” I shoot her my best pouty face.
“No, this feels like something normal and fun.”
“Normal and fun are good. Speaking of, are you sure you’re okay with me going tomorrow?” I ask for the hundredth time.
“Yes, look at my calendar.” She holds up the grid I drew for her. “You’ve filled it with volunteers for Liz-sitting every day.”
“If there’s someone who knows how to organize something, it’s me. Whatever you need, I’m your guy.”
Liz clears her throat. “So, speaking of that, what was with the comment about our apartments?”
“Well, we do have two. Theoretically, we only need one.”
“We haven’t even talked about our relationship.”
“Okay.” I set my half-eaten slice of pizza on the paper plate. “Talk. What do you want? Because I love you. I want to be with you, maybe forever.”
“You know that after eleven months of knowing me?”
“Eleven months and one week. How many people can you honestly say you’ve spent a whole week with and feel like you never want it to end?”
“You’re talking about this past week? Possibly one of the top three worst weeks in my life?”
“But I got to be with you every day—and every night. I think you may be the one for me. I hope you’re feeling that way too.” I take both of her hands.
“You’re so lucky you let me get a good meal in before this. I do love you…”
My heart drops to my stomach. The “I do love you” feels like a but is coming. Tears form in her eyes. I steel myself for her next words.
“I need someone to be around all the time. I can’t handle you traveling, being gone half the time, worrying about you being safe.” She blots her eyes with a napkin. “And that’s selfish of me. I know this job is your dream.”
I take a minute to process what she’s said. Thinking about the possibility of marriage and starting a family with her, it’s clear, I’d choose that any day. At the same time, I love working with the team. “But you said you were okay with me leaving tomorrow.”
“I don’t want you to ruin your career. I’m looking to next year. I know I said last November it was fine, but I didn’t know how close we would become and how it felt to have you gone.”
“Okay, I won’t renew a contract for a traveling position then.”
“Really?” She squeezes my hands and forces me to look her in the eyes.
“Yeah, I mean, I love you. I want there to be an us next week, next year.”
“I want that too. I love you.” She kisses me.
“Even with pepperoni breath?”
“I can’t believe you stuck with me through this whole year.”
“See, there are some good guys in the world. But don’t get any ideas. There’s only one great guy for you.” I kiss her quickly. “You’re a strong, beautiful, amazing person, and I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I pan my eyes to the ceiling and back to her face. “You think you’re feeling good enough for more kissing?”
She leans into me and presses her lips to mine. “As long as there’s no spinning involved.”
“That works for me.” I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and plant a long kiss on her lips.
THE END
If you like this story and the characters, be sure to check out the other books of the Being Me Series including Is This Me?, If I Could Fly, Think You Know Me, and Being Me, to learn where it all began.
About the Author
Tricia Copeland grew up in Georgia and now lives in Colorado with her family. Her novels include the award nominated contemporary romance series, Being Me; Best Book Award finalist urban fantasy series, The Kingdom Journals; and Drops of Sunshine, a YA paranormal novella. Find all of Tricia’s books on her website at www.triciacopeland.com. For additional content including book trailers, inspiring quotes, & more, connect with Tricia on her website or your favorite social media with the links below.
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More books by Tricia Copeland:
PRAISE FOR THE KINGDOM JOURNALS SERIES
“HEARTSTOPPING”
“FANTASTIC TWIST ON THE PARANORMAL”
Kingdom of Embers
American Book Fest’s Best Book Award Finalist – urban fantasy series
Kingdom Series Journal 1 – Alena’s Story
“He wouldn’t understand. He didn’t live in a masked world. In truth, he did. Most beings, pure humans, walked through life believing they were the only type of people that existed.” –Alena
As a creature forbidden by both vampire and witch law, Alena traverses the country with her Vampire Council Chancellor mother in search of an unknown entity. Everything changes when Alena finds Hunter. Their bond may be the key to the answers Alena seeks. As she investigates the connection, an equally handsome and mysterious suitor appears. Will the truth about his intentions be uncovered before it’s too late? Or will her Mother’s kingdom be reduced to embers? Find out in Kingdom of Embers!
Find the series here:
US: http://amzn.to/2h9DerN
CA: http://amzn.to/2fuWaO5
UK: http://amzn.to/2ykbyVi
AU: http://amzn.to/2ykbYLm
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Drops of Sunshine – A young adult paranormal novella
"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."~ Buddha
Working as lifeguard at a camp for the blind seems like the perfect escape for Nina. But a few perceptive kids can hear her thoughts. Can embracing her truth help her heal and reveal possibilities she never imagined?
Find out at www.triciacopeland.com
Being Me Series Book 1
Is This Me?
Have you ever chosen a path that led you astray?
Amanda has no trouble choosing a college or picking a major. What she does have a problem with is what she would have least expected, a guy. Smart and sexy, Doug is focused on school responsibilities and post-graduation plans. Their paths intersect and Amanda must accept his help or risk losing her scholarship. Determined to maintain appearances, Amanda begins to lie to family and friends. The ease at which she repeatedly deceives those closest becomes disturbing and leaves her questioning: “Is this me?”
Can Amanda find her way out of her contrived world?
Find out at www.triciacopeland.com