Chapter 8
chapter
eight
Donovan
We used two more condoms last night before we both passed out from exhaustion. The hazy light of morning is creeping around the wood-slat blinds on the windows. My girl isn’t in bed with me, so I go in search of her.
But she’s nowhere to be found. Not only that, but her clothes and purse are gone.
She left.
I swallow the knot that rises in my throat. There is a logical explanation for this.
ME: Get my fucking truck up here NOW!
Jude: On my way.
I’m glad I don’t have to explain anything to my friend to get him moving. I take a quick shower and dress because, in addition to finding my girl, I have my dad’s wedding rehearsal dinner to go to. So if I can’t find her beforehand, then I’ll talk to her there.
Because this will be resolved today. I’m tired of wasting time. Kathryn and I belong together. We always have. I’m ready to make that permanent, put a ring on it, if you will.
I know she loves me too. I could feel it in her kiss and when I was inside of her. You can’t fake that level of connection.
I’ve had sex with other women. I’m assuming my KitKat has had sex with other men, though frankly, I don’t even want to think about someone else touching her.
Last night—with her—was different than any other time. It’s a damn cliche, but with Kathryn, it wasn’t just sex, we made love.
Being around her again, even without the sex, reminded me how much I’ve missed her being in my life. She’s so unexpectedly funny and real. She is truly my favorite human. I think it’s fair to say that I’m a little obsessed.
A horn honks outside and I fling open the cabin door. I’m disappointed it’s not my girl, but Jude can at least get me off this mountain. Though he’s not in my truck.
“Dude, where’s my car?”
“Evidently one of the guys heard me telling Emory the story about stealing your truck and saying it’s because you needed new tires. So I found it up on the lifts this morning. Sorry, man.”
“Eh, it’s fine, but now you have to drive my ass on a few errands.”
“Will do. Where to first?”
“Fritz’s Jewlery
“Okay, but I’m going to need the run down on what happened between y’all last night now that we’re on a ring errand.”
So I tell him—leaving out the intimate details because that’s none of his business—about her patent, her humor, and then waking up without her this morning.
“That patent thing is amazing. She always was wicked smart,” Jude says. “Wish that had rubbed off more on Aria and Sofia. I swear to fuck those girls are gonna put me in an early grave.”
“I suspect it only gets worse with actual daughters and not just sisters you raised.”
“No fucking kidding. I’ll tell Emory we are only having sons.”
I chuckle. “Good luck with that.” I stare out the front windshield watching the familiar scenery pass by. “I’m glad you found your person. You deserve to be happy, man. You did right by your sisters.”
“I did what anyone would’ve done. And as much as the eldest two stress me out, they’re all pretty damn amazing.”
“Your sisters are great. You shouldn’t worry so much.”
We’re quiet for a few minutes, then Jude speaks again. “You know she did that for you? Her entire dissertation was to create something to better protect you.”
“Seems presumptuous to think that,” I admit.
“Maybe. But just like you’ve always loved her, she’s always loved you. I’m glad your moment has come.”
“Thanks, man. I just hope she says yes.”
“Well, if she doesn’t, you can always kidnap her until she changes her mind.”
I glance over, not quite believing what just came out of my friend’s mouth. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Aw, fuck. Sorry, man. It’s all the romance novels Emory has me reading. I’m stuck on a medieval knight kick right now, and that’s always their solution. If she won’t say yes, kidnap her and convince her.”
“You know that’s actually illegal here in the real world, right?”
Jude chuckles. “I think I’ve been around too much estrogen. It’s melting my brain.”