Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Samantha
For the first time in a long time, my heart was completely healed.
“Did you play a part in this?” I glanced at Zoey as we stepped into the elevator.
“Maybe.” She grinned. “Good job, Wes. I knew you had it in you.” She hugged him. “Ewe, gross. You’re all wet.”
Wes chuckled.
“When we get up to the apartment, I’ll grab a towel and your bag,” Zoey said.
“Bag? What are you talking about?” I frowned.
“I packed you an overnight bag so you could go home with Wes. He doesn’t have any extra clothes here, and I really don’t need to see him walking around naked while you try to dry his clothes.
So, you’re going home with him and spending the night.
Besides, I will not be kept awake all night while you two do the dirty deed. ”
“Zoey!” I snapped.
She laughed. “You know you’re going to.”
Zoey made good on her promise and handed Wes a towel the second we stepped inside the apartment. Then, she handed me my overnight bag that she so graciously packed.
“Maya is spending the night. So, don’t worry about me.”
“It’s a school night,” I said.
“So?” She shrugged. “We’re responsible adults. We’ll get up and be there on time.” She grinned.
“You heard the girl. Let’s go.” Wes hooked his arm around me.
We stepped into his brownstone and couldn’t keep our hands off each other. We’d finally made it up to the bedroom and fell onto the bed, where we made love first before talking about our relationship.
Wes went downstairs, grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses. When he returned to the bedroom, he filled each glass and handed me one.
“To the start of a beautiful relationship.” He smiled, holding up his glass.
“And what a beautiful relationship it will be.” I smiled, clinking my glass against his.
“I still can’t believe you, Weston Castile, stood in the rain, holding up poster boards.” I laughed.
“Well, the fear of losing you was much stronger than the fear of public humiliation,” I smirked.
“Besides, you’re worth it. I did a lot of soul searching, Sam.
And I’m sorry for putting you through hell.
I promise you that I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.
I am going to be here for you and Zoey. I’ll protect both of you, take care of you, and you will never have to worry about anything ever again. ”
“Wes, you’re too sweet.” I brought my hand up to his cheek.
“You will have everything you ever wanted. I’ll see to that.”
“I love, Wes.” I smiled.
“I love you more, babe.” I kissed her lips.
Two Months Later
Weston
I stepped out of my study and walked into the kitchen, where I found Sam standing on a step stool, arguing with the cabinet that held the coffee mugs.
“What are you doing?”
“Why do you have three shelves dedicated to coffee mugs?” she asked.
“I need options.” I walked over to the refrigerator.
“No one needs eighteen coffee mugs, Wes.”
“I do.”
“You absolutely do not.”
I leaned against the counter and watched as she reached for the mug she’d designated as hers. It was a cream colored one she’d bought from a bookstore gift shop that read:
I like my men like I like my literature: emotionally available.
“Why was this pushed all the way in the back?” she asked.
“Jennie must have rearranged the cabinet,” I said.
“Then you need to have a talk with Jennie and tell her to leave the cabinets alone,” she smirked.
“Noted.” I nodded.
“You know, hot guy, if you got rid of some of these mugs, you’d have room for actual food.”
“I have food.” My brows furrowed.
She stepped down from the stool and opened the pantry.
“Really?” Her brow raised, for it was practically empty.
“Okay. Once it’s filled, there won’t be a need to clear out my mugs to make room for more food.” I grinned. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving,” she said, resting her head on my chest as my arms wrapped around her.
“We can order—”
“No.” She lifted her head. “You’re going to learn to grocery shop. Go get your shoes on.”
“You are one bossy lady.”
“And yet, here you are.” She flashed a devilish smile.
Sam and Zoey spent a lot of time here over the past couple of months.
It was mostly on the weekends, but with an occasional night or two during the week.
They both moved around my home like they already lived here.
Dinners together and homework done in the corner of the couch, Zoey claimed as her space.
My bathroom already housed women’s shampoo, conditioners, razors, makeup, hairbrushes, and toothbrushes.
I wouldn’t have it any other way. And when they left to go home, the house felt empty and lonely.
Sam placed her hand on the refrigerator handle. Before she could open the door, the words stumbled out of my mouth.
“Move in with me.”
She froze for a moment and then slowly turned around.
“What?”
“You heard me,” I smirked.
“Did Weston Castile just ask me to move in with him after I totally criticized his coffee mug collection? No,” she said.
“No?” My brows furrowed.
“Oh my God, yes. I meant yes. But you just can’t casually ask someone to move in with you between a discussion about mugs and having no food in the house.”
“But I did.” I smiled. I stood in front of her and gripped her hips. “I had a speech planned out.”
“You did?” She grinned.
“No. Not really.” I chuckled.
“I didn’t think so.” She laughed.
“But here’s what I know.” I pulled her closer. “When you’re not here, I miss you. I miss going to bed with you, sleeping next to you, waking up with you, and having coffee with you in the morning. But mostly, I miss when I come home from a long day at the office, and you’re not here.”
“You’re serious.” She brought her hand to my face.
“I’ve never been so serious about anything in my life.”
“You do realize that you’ll have to share cabinet space, right?”
“I think I can make that sacrifice.” I smiled.
“And grocery shop and run all the household errands with me,” she said.
“I’ll survive.” I winked.
“And you’ll also have to let Zoey make fun of you on a daily basis.”
“Yikes. That one feels a little excessive. But it’s doable.”
“Are you sure, Wes? I mean, really sure?”
“Absolutely.” I kissed her forehead.
“Only on one condition, Mr. Castile.”
“What’s your condition?”
She reached over and grabbed her mug. “You’ll have to get rid of at least eight of these.” She held it up.
“Ugh, Sam. That right there is a deal breaker.”
She laughed, and just like that, my house finally felt like home.
“Let’s tell Zoey the good news,” I said.