Beg, Borrow, or Steal (When in Rome, #3)

by Sarah Adams

As all good and unbearable perfectionists know, if you want something done right, you mostly have to do it yourself.

“Emily Walker. You might be able to steamroll everyone else around here into submission. But not me. Never me. If you want something from me, you’ll have to ask politely.”

And when she found me watching, she told me to find someone someday who will hug me when I’m sad and then help me look on the bright side of things when all I can see is the dark.

“Just how often do you picture me, Jackson?” I guess a little of that flirtation from the road has lingered. His smile is a feral thing. “More than either of us is comfortable with.”

No one needs me. And when they don’t need me, they don’t come around anymore either because I am a utility sponge. I am useful. And if I’m no use to someone anymore, they throw me under the sink.

“Now…I need to be okay with being alone. Because everyone moves on eventually. But not me…I’ll always be right here where they left me.”

“You are not alone, Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.”

“I don’t want to be one of the guys. I want to be yours.”

“Good. Life can be a little shit sometimes. But shit also makes great fertilizer.” She pats the back of my hand that’s holding hers. “Grow from your experiences, don’t let them smother the light out of you.”

“I love you too, Emily…I don’t need anything from you other than for you to unlock the door for me so I can come lie with you when the darkness is too heavy to crawl out of. And if you need to fight, you can fight with me. And if you want to make love, make it with me.”

“You think you’re unlovable, but I think I’ve never known how to love until knowing you.”

“You said you’d sit with me in my darkness; don’t you dare keep me out of yours. There’s not a single thing you need to say or do, just come with me.”

“And to think you consider yourself hard to love.” I kiss her temple. “Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”