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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Lila Monroe
Read between
January 12 - January 20, 2024
because even though the holidays are months away, rom-coms and happily-ever-afters are never out of season for us.
Because we all know Brody is a romantic. A hard-core romantic. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great wingman when we go out, but when he falls for a girl, he’s all in – diet and all.
Not to mention I got to see Gemma all worked up at her office. Added bonus.
“It’s your body in revolt because you ate something green.”
I pick up an empty pizza box and the tequila bottle from last night, clearing a spot for the takeout on the slightly sticky coffee table, ignoring the pile of laundry for now. Because hello, bacon-double cheeseburger and onion rings.
The smell...
“Hell, I’m surprised you let her out the house without one, seeing as she’s such a bitch!” What did he just say? “Dude,” Zach speaks up. “Come on.”
Or, at least, his requirement that all clothes be comfortable and low-key.
Me
“But the reality is complicated. Everything in this world is made for couples: Two for one Groupons, Roller coaster seats. Twix bars.”
Like she feels my gaze, she glances over and smiles. Not one of her careful, suspicious smiles she gives me when I’m teasing her or when she’s yanking my chain. No. This is a real smile. An open smile, filled with joy. One that tells me so much about her—about a different side of her that I never imagined existed. A side that it turns out I like. Very much.
Goodbye Bigfoot. The beard is no more.
Zach is in a state of bliss, his eyes heavy-lidded, a goofy smile on his face. “What’s next?” he asks eagerly. “I’m ready!”
Zach looks down at my feet. “I see you really don’t have hairy feet and toes. That I’d love to taste.”
I take off towards the nearest trail, before she notices I’m practically panting over her.
“Nope.” I don’t even feel so stressed anymore. I guess all the restorative powers of nature finally kicked in.
Gemma’s face changes. “Was she your first love? Super-serious?” “Serious as a colonoscopy. And about as fun,” I finally meet her eyes. “Lisa isn’t just my ex-girlfriend. She’s my ex-wife.”
Zach shrugs. “I guess she saw me as a project. A work in progress. But when she couldn’t fix me up to her satisfaction, she started to resent me. She came to hate all the things about me she couldn’t change.” “Like what?” I ask, feeling slightly guilty. Even though Zach agreed to this makeover project, I am kind of steamrolling him to transform him for the bet.
I splash wildly, and then suddenly, I’m in Zach’s arms, my legs wrapped around his waist.
I just want him.
“What do you need?” he asks, his hands teasing, unbearably soft.
He pops the trunk. Out comes a picnic basket and a folded blanket. Is death by romance a thing? If so, I’m so dead.
He tastes like wine and sugar, and pure Zach. I sigh in pleasure. This picnic, the marshmallows—everything—just might be the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me.
“What’s wrong?” “You have a mattress on the floor! How are you a gajillionaire and you sleep on a mattress on the floor?”
We’re not empty-handed, either, Zach’s carrying huge bags filled with cushions, knickknacks, picture frames and other functional and sophisticated items, while I’m pushing a cart with bookshelves he’s going to have to put together.
So marriage
can’t hear what they’re talking about, but there’s a big smile on his face.
“I want you.”
“Right back atcha,”
I'm cringing
because I can tell Zach everything, laugh about it, and move on with whatever it is we’re doing here.
I'm sure that won't be it....
Because waking up with a bang is always a good way to start the day.
Because I see it, the disappointment and hurt on his face, the look I hoped I’d never see. He knows about the bet. And he’s not laughing.
Total surprise
a relationship that could have been really amazing if only I’d been honest.
“Second Chances! It connects charities with people looking to donate. We can make a wish-list, calling for supplies, and people just print off the labels and send them in.”
“This is hands down the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me.” “I knew I had a lot to live up to,” he grins. “What with all those movies you watch.”
