More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“That’s funny. I liked you better when I thought you hadn’t groomed my little sister and then fucked her over.”
Because the very last thing I need in my life is someone who makes me feel like there’s not enough oxygen in my lungs when I’ve only just caught my breath.
“Dude. I think I’m in love with your sister-in-law. She’s so fiery.”
I want to know more about Winter Valentine. Like when that divorce is happening.
“Careful, that one’s got claws,” Cade offers right as Willa shoves a pointy elbow into his ribs. I grin. “That’s okay. I like having my back scratched.”
I have this thing where if I’m shitty to someone, it eats me up inside. So, if I’m just nice, it makes me happy. Being negative is exhausting, ya know? And I don’t have time to nap.”
“I think I like you because you are a heart-stopping, jaw-dropping type of beautiful.”
All I can feel is the press of his rock-hard length against my stomach. He looks me straight in the eye and grabs the back of my skull roughly with one hand while the other pulls at my bottom lip. “I can’t wait to see how fucking pretty you look when you come with my name on your lips.”
“I knew you’d never be able to keep your dick in your pants.” Though they’re meant as a joke, his words sting. They’re also the nudge I need to get motivated, because I want my mentor’s respect. I don’t want to be the butt end of a joke or seen as the child who never grows up. I want to chase my dreams and prove to myself I can do the things I set my mind to.
I don’t want to be the one-night stand who’s used to scratch an itch. I want a woman like Winter Hamilton—beautiful, and smart, and sharp-tongued—to look at me and see a future.
“I’m happy to have you around, Theo. I would never, ever keep you from her. After what I grew up in, I just want her to be surrounded by so much love. You know?”
“I could fucking bury whoever made you believe you’re as unlovable as you seem to think.”
“Hi, baby girl.” That “baby girl” thing in his deep voice will be my undoing. I just know it.
Theo snaps his fingers over the table, drawing his mentor’s attention back to himself. He went from looking amused to downright murderous. “Watch your fucking tone when you’re talking to the mother of my child.”
“But what about love?” She twists to look over her shoulder at Vivi, her voice taking on a thicker quality when she says, “What about it?” “Did you have it?” I watch her throat work as her attention stays fixed on our sleeping daughter. “No. I don’t think I ever had it until her.”
I couldn’t help but think that we weren’t getting the entire story. That people aren’t cruel for no good reason. That two siblings shouldn’t be so at odds. That parents shouldn’t fuck their kids around as badly as what he described.
This isn’t heartburn. It’s just me thawing out for the man lying in my daughter’s crib.
“I hope they do, Winter. I hope we have a whole fucking audience to watch how hard I’m going to make you come.”
Why is this man so feral in so many ways? And then so fucking sweet? I can’t keep up with it.
because what is it about me that is so profoundly unlovable? I feel like I’m on a constant mission to figure that one thing out. I’m not offended by it. I just need to know what it is so I can fix it.
“What’s happening is Miss Independent met the treat-her-like-a-princess guy, and she’s freaking out.” I roll my eyes. “That’s ridiculous.” “You only think you owe me something because you’ve spent too long dating assholes who are terrible lays. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Stop overthinking it.
When I hit the front porch, Winter is standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring at her nails. That cotton-candy color gives her something to admire when she pulls this move, at least. It’s her signature I’m pretending to be bored move. It’s a defense mechanism for when she feels vulnerable. And if I’ve learned anything about Winter over the past several weeks, it’s that she hates feeling vulnerable.
Being loved is uncomfortable for her.
I have it in my head that after spending her life behaving in a way that suits everyone around her, she might need a minute to figure out what suits her.
“I’m like a walking, talking daddy issue. And no matter how hard I try not to let my head go back to that place … it does.”
I just need the nervous voice inside my head to shut the hell up. She sabotages me. And I don’t want to sabotage this relationship.
“Is that why you were stalking me from behind the leg press today?” Oh my god. Cringe. “Shut up, Theo.” “Saw a little flash of blonde hair and blue eyes from between all those metal machines. It was adorable.
“New rule, you only train people who are less pretty than me.” His eyes do a dramatic roll. “That’s everyone, Tink. You’ve ruined me. Don’t you get it? I only see you. You’ve got all my attention. Every last bit of it.”
So many what-ifs. But it feels like everything worked out exactly the way it was meant to.
And I’ve learned a lot about forgiveness in recent years. Especially how hard it is to forgive yourself.
