Chapter 91
“ I ’m nervous,” I confess to Bo in the hallway outside Lace’s apartment door.
“Why?” Bo gives me an inquiring look. “You’ve met Avery before.”
“Not because of Avery.” I shake my head. “Your mom.” I bite down on my lip. “Do you think she’ll like me?”
“She already knows and likes you.” I squeeze her hand. “I like you, like everything about you. That’s all that matters.”
“Oh, Bo.” I sigh. “I love you and want to kiss you badly.”
“So do it.” He takes me by the shoulders. Turning me, he gently tips up my chin.
I’m unable to remember why I shouldn’t kiss him. I start to close my eyes. The door pops open. Bo and I jump apart.
“Oh, sorry.” Lace glances back and forth between us. “I can close the door.” A smile tips up the edges of her mouth.
“No. That’s okay,” I say.
“It’s not,” Bo disagrees and turns me to face him again. “But you need to know, one kiss will never be enough. I want all your kisses, all your thoughts, hopes, and dreams. I want you and your sexy body night and day and every possible moment in between. I’ll never be able to get enough of you.”
“Whoa.” Smiling, Lace fans her face with her hand. “Did you hear that, Avery?” She glances over her shoulder. I see the famous red-headed guitarist standing a few feet behind Lace. My heart kicks up as she comes closer.
“You gonna propose to her in the hallway?” Avery teases, her emerald eyes twinkling. “Or do you guys want to come inside and eat all this delicious Indian food your mother ordered?”
“He’s not going to propose.” My cheeks warm.
“Not yet.” He squeezes my shoulders for emphasis. “But I will when the moment is right. I may suck at reading, but I’m not a fool. Not ever letting go of the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Bo.” I shake my head. The heat in my cheeks grows, knowing Bo’s mom and my biggest celebrity crush are witnessing this.
“I’m certain,” Bo continues, his eyes brighter than any spotlight. “I don’t need more time to know who I want to spend the rest of my life with. I love you, Peace Jinkins. I always have. I always will.” His hands trace circles over the short sleeves of my T-shirt. “Loving you is effortless. Not loving you is impossible. That’s where I messed up. I won’t make that mistake again. You are mine now and for always. I’m just waiting for you to get on the same page in our story as me.”
Bo
“So.” Throwing her napkin on her plate, Avery’s emerald gaze bounces back and forth between Peace and me. “I must say you’ve both inspired me. I can’t wait to get back into the studio with Marcus. The new Brutal Strength album needs a love song. And I’m dying to hear more details about your Jinkins and Jackson project.”
“Melinda told you?” I raise a brow. “Already?”
“Yes,” Avery confirms. “We’re pretty tight, and she’s following in Mary Timmon’s footsteps. I swear Melinda knows everything about every one of her recording artists just like her predecessor. Melinda is a hard-ass too, so I recommend not crossing or disappointing her.”
“I get that. My band does too.” I make a face. “The guy she sent to manage us after Peace left was awful.”
“But the tour ended well?” Avery inquires.
“Sold out every city the last part of it,” I declare proudly.
“Good for you. Loved the debut album, by the way.”
“Thanks.” I nod. “That’s because Peace’s poetry is in nearly every one of our songs.”
“I bet they stemmed from the journaling you were doing when you were a kid.” Avery looks at Peace for confirmation.
“I still journal.” Pink flags Peace’s cheeks.
“So do I.” Avery’s emerald gaze sparkles with her excitement. “Helps me organize my thoughts.”
“Me too.” Peace smiles and turns that smile on me. “But talking to Bo helps me even more.”
“Baby.” Emotion swells inside me, rivaling the current condition of a certain appendage in my jeans. Having an erection makes being at a table with my mother awkward. “I really need to kiss you.”
Peace’s smile widens.
“It’s only her for you,” Lace says softly, her gaze on me.
“Absolutely,” I confirm.
“And you?” Lace shifts, making eye contact with Peace. “How do you feel about my son?”
“It’s always been Bo for me.”
“Sounds to me like you two are on the exact same page.” Lace drops her napkin on her empty plate. “That’s a good place to be, though being in love isn’t a guarantee for happiness.” She gives me a firm look. “The first step is committing to each other. The next is agreeing upfront to say you’re sorry when you mess up, and the rest involves working your asses off to keep the lines of communication open.”
“That’s good advice.” Peace nods.
“Good advice that applies to me and Marcus,” Avery weighs in. “Early on in our friendship, I lied to him. I came clean. He forgave me. Then he messed up, and it was my turn to forgive him.”
“Did this happen before or after you got involved with Bryan?” Lace asks Avery, a sudden sharp bite to her tone.
“Bryan and I were friends. We’re still friends, Lace.” Avery’s gaze narrows. “He’s heartbroken over you. It’s always been you for him, and Marcus for me. Bryan and I never crossed beyond friendship.”
“Good to know.” Lace takes a sip of water from her glass. Setting it down, her amber eyes are shiny. “I always wondered if he’d pursue you if he were free.”
“He’ll never choose me. And he’s not free. You’re never free when you love someone as deeply as he loves you. He messed up.” She flicks her gaze to me. “Really badly. I hope for both your sakes, you can find it in your heart to give him another chance.”
“That’s why you agreed to come,” I surmise. “My dad asked you to speak on his behalf.”
“I had multiple reasons.” Avery sighs and shifts to look at my mom. “You’ve never really liked me, Lace. I get why now. It’s not me. It’s because of Bryan. But that’s telling, isn’t it?” Scoring that point, Avery stands. Moving around the table, she stops beside Peace.
“Take a chance with Bo.” Avery places her hands on the back of Peace’s chair and glances back and forth between us. “Bo is obviously your match. I don’t believe it would be taking a chance. It would be a step in the right direction. I really hope it’s a step you two take together.” She smiles. “The world needs more happy endings.”