Golden Rule (Kings of Cypress Pointe Golden Empire #1)

Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

SIX WEEKS LATER…

Blue

S eth: Finally got the inspector to commit to a firm date, so we’re still on track. Pretty sure he thinks I’m an asshole, but at least he knows he can’t dick us around.

I smile at the text and respond while West and I wait for Dr. Tyler to join us.

Blue: OMG, thank you! I’ve been upset about this all week.

Seth: Well, you can relax now. It’s all settled.

Seth: Oh, and we’re just waiting for one more permit, but I’m expecting it within the next 3-5 business days. Should be good to go after that.

Blue: Perfect.

Seth: We still on for coffee at your uncle’s place? My treat.

Blue: See you at noon as planned, but you don’t have to pay.

Seth: I insist. See you there.

I breathe a sigh of relief, seeing all the pieces coming together. I mentally prepared for the surprises that come with a demo, and for the tedium of the design phase, but the paperwork has been the bane of my existence. Luckily, Seth’s taken on a lot of that headache, which has lightened my load.

“Everything all good?” West asks, and his eyes flit down toward my phone when I tuck it back inside my purse.

“Yep, everything’s perfect, actually. We’re on track to start making some real progress soon.”

My heart actually feels lighter saying those words.

“Hm. So… it was Seth again.”

I pause to yawn, having been up half the night anticipating today’s visit with Dr. Tyler. “Yeah, he was just giving me an update. The inspection is on the schedule, and we’re one permit away from having that nightmare behind us, so, yeah, things are moving along quite nicely.”

West nods slowly. “Good. I know that’s been stressing you out.”

“Big time. Seth stepped in and dealt with the inspector and the permit drama, so everything’s on the up-and-up. Finally,” I add with a laugh.

I haven’t been this settled in weeks. I’ve remained optimistic, but I know once I start with the next phase of treatment, I’ll be even more grateful to have someone else who’s capable of handling the issues that are sure to arise.

I’m mid-thought when I catch a glimpse of West in my peripheral vision. His jaw is tense and despite his phone still being open to the group chat with his brothers, his eyes are straight ahead, focused on the wall behind Dr. Tyler’s desk. He’s clearly irritated, but I’m not sure what’s caused the shift in his mood.

“What’s wrong?”

He doesn’t answer right away, and since he’s been chatting with his brothers, my natural assumption is that they’re the source of his frustration.

“I’m good,” he grumbles. “Just wondering why Seth’s little update couldn’t wait until your meeting later.”

I stare at him a moment, kind of shocked by what I’m seeing.

“West Golden,” I say with a smile, turning in my seat to face him. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

He relaxes some when I drape an arm behind his neck, stroking his ear.

“No, I’m just aware.”

“Of?” I smile.

“Of how many times a day this guy calls, of how every pic Pandora posts captures him looking like he wants to take a fucking bite out of your ass.”

I don’t mean to laugh, but I do.

He resists for two-point-five seconds when I lift out of my seat just enough to hug him around his neck, rapid-firing kisses underneath his jaw.

“Cut that shit out,” he grumbles, trying his best not to laugh.

“I would, but you’re so stinkin’ cute when you’re jealous!”

I feel his cheek tighten with a grin when I kiss him there next.

“Listen, I’m smiling because you’re fucking ridiculous, but that doesn’t mean I’m being any less serious, Blue.”

“I know,” I mumble against his face, kissing him again.

“I’m never wrong about this shit. Seth’s just waiting for the right time to make a move. I can feel it in my fucking bones.”

I lower back into my seat, playfully rolling my eyes. “Now you sound like Scar.”

In my peripheral vision, I note the second his eyes flit toward me, and I regret my words immediately.

“She saw it, too. Which means I’m fucking right,” he grumbles.

“It’s not even like that, West.”

He arches a brow. “So, you really think the two people who love you most in this world would make something like this up?”

I reach for his hand to make sure the conversation stays light.

“Of course not, but I do think you two might be reading too much into things. I’ve been alone in a room with Seth many times—working on the building plans, waiting for subcontractors to arrive—and he’s never been anything but a complete gentleman.”

West sighs, and I stroke the back of his hand with my thumb.

“Can you just… trust me on this?”

My question has him shooting me a look. One that makes it clear lack of trust has nothing to do with it.

“I trust you with everything ,” he answers, and the harshness in his eyes disappears. “If you say things with him are on the up-and-up, I’ll take your word for it.”

Studying his eyes, I lift his hand to my lips, kissing the back of it. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but if he ever steps out of line… no promises I won’t lose my shit, Blue. Seriously.”

A quiet laugh leaves me, and I meant what I said. My husband is completely irresistible when he’s jealous. “Fair enough.”

He leans across the arm of his chair, kissing me just as a quiet knock hits the door.

“Hello, hello!” Dr. Tyler says, sounding way too chipper for eight a.m.”

“Good morning,” I say back, and it’s hard not to notice how much lighter I feel this time compared to last. I was wound so tightly then, worried I wouldn’t be approved for treatment, but all that’s changed now.

Dr. Tyler takes his seat across from us, and West and I clutch one another’s hands.

“So, everything is right on target,” he says. “Your bloodwork came back great, and neither the ultrasound nor the hysteroscopy came back showing any major abnormalities. Were you able to complete the entire cycle of birth control?”

“Yes,” I say with a nod.

“Perfect. I think I explained before, but that gets your ovaries all prepped and ready for stimulation. So, it sounds like we’re ready to move forward!”

His excitement is infectious, and I’m in disbelief that this day is finally here.

“There is one thing I’d like to mention before we move on,” he says. His tone is intense, which unnerves me a bit. “Now, while I’ve cleared you to proceed without committing to counseling, I would still highly recommend it. Honestly, I recommend it to most of my patience. If nothing else, It’s preemptive. Think of it as… responsible emotional maintenance.”

He isn’t pushing, but I definitely sense the underlying urgency in his tone.

“Yes, sir. I’ll definitely consider it.”

“Great. That’s all I ask,” he says, offering a kind smile. “Now, I’ve had the nurse call your scripts into the pharmacy you have on file, and once you’ve done three days of injections, I’ve made arrangements with a trusted clinic closer to your residence for daily monitoring. They’ll handle your blood draws and ultrasounds, then relay all feedback to my office. In two weeks, we’ll set up to have you come here for your trigger shot. Three days after that, we’ll do the egg retrieval, then we’re off to the races.”

He smiles warmly, and despite this all feeling like Deja’ Vu, I’m not disheartened.

I’m excited. Cautiously, of course. But excited nonetheless.

“Thank you, Doctor,” West says, and I squeeze his hand.

“Of course,” Doctor Tyler nods. “Glad I could get you two taken care of quickly. I’m sure you have plans for this beautiful, sunny Saturday.”

West laughs a bit. “Just a quick lunch meting, then a quiet day at home after we grab the meds.”

“Well, nothing wrong with that. A quiet day at home is very underrated,” Dr. Tyler jokes. “Any questions before we part ways?”

West and I share a look before facing Dr. Tyler again. “Nope, we’re all set, I think.”

He nods. “Then I look forward to seeing you next time.”

We stand, grabbing a bit of paperwork from the front desk before we head out to the car. I’m on cloud nine, and as we make our way toward the highway, heading back to Cypress Pointe, it’s impossible not to wonder if this is it. Is this the one that will finally work?