Lass (#BitterSweetHeat, #3)

by Harloe Rae

“Dude, he wants forever with this girl. I recognize that look,” Trey says. He lifts a brow at me. “I’m not giving you shit, rookie. I know how it is.”

“Yup. She’s the one.” I dip my chin at that, not wanting him to catch my double meaning.

“You could make more Pinterest boards,” I suggest. “I don’t get paid for that.” I cross my arms. “Good thing you’re not seeking advice from me.”

Delilah just about falls off her chair. “Bathroom break?” Raven squints at her. “Didn’t you just go?” Delilah swats the air. “Don’t be dense, Rave. Girl talk.” Raven winks. “Right, great idea.”

“Nope, this is exactly what I wanted.” His honey eyes gleam. “Good, me too.” I lift a brow. “You wanted a sequined bear?” “Nah, just seeing you happy.”

She grins at me. “What would I do without you?” “Jog lightly on a treadmill?” We both laugh.

She’s what I imagine Heaven to be.

“You make me feel like a supermodel or something.” I scoff. “They all pale in comparison.”

You’re my deepest, most sinful desire. The feelings you evoke within me are far from redeemable. My craving for you is unforgivable, but I don’t give a damn anymore.”

“You’re my sweet corruption, Adds. There’s no doubting my feelings for you.”

You’re the greatest thing to ever happen. You give meaning to my life.”

I’ll be anything for her.

“There it is. They’ve decorated it for the holidays. How pretty, right?” I don’t care about the structure in front of us. My eyes are locked on her. “Gorgeous.”

“You’re so beautiful.” Her speckled nose wrinkles. “I’ve never liked my freckles.” “I’ll love them for you.”

You’re made for me.”

“You’re my Eden.”

You’re everything.”

“Mine. You’re mine, Adds.” I inhale deeply while skimming my nose up the slope of her jaw. “And you’re not going anywhere.”

“Fuck, I love you.” I wrap my arms around her and haul her against me. Addison clings to me and tries to burrow even further. “Really?” Her voice is far too unsure for my liking. I tip up her chin so she’s looking at me. “I love you, Addison Jaymes. I was ready to tell you that first day at Dagos, crazy as it would have been. But that’s the honest truth.” “Hmmm.” She collapses into my embrace. “That’s good because I’m crazy in love with you.”

I’m belatedly realizing we never used condoms. Are you on birth control? Did it fail?” Her eyes narrow, and I’ve once again said the wrong thing. “So, this is all my fault?” She clamps her mouth shut and looks away. “It kinda is, but that’s not the point.

she’s all like “UGH FUCK YOU. YOURE SO ANNOYING” and he’s like “did birth control fail” and she’s like “OH SO NOW ITS MY FAULT?? oh wait yea i guess that one kinda is my fault. but like totally irrelevant”

“I’m on a man-hating mission.” She looks at her imaginary watch. “Wow, that flip didn’t take long. You were beaming an hour ago. What happened?” I start searching her cabinets. “I need some wine first.” I stop my frantic pillaging and smack my forehead. “Dammit, no alcohol. That’s gonna be an adjustment. How else do I cope?” “First off, that makes you sound like an alcoholic.”

”Ooooh, let’s get pedicures.” I squint at her. “Did you get into a bottle of wine? It’s the middle of winter.”

I told my parents I was living with Shane and they heard Shay. Yes, I’m a chicken shit and didn’t correct them when they assumed he was a she. Might as well come clean. “He’s not,” I drag the words out slowly. “I think I misunderstood you. Did you say he?” my mom asks. “Yes.” I work up all the fake confidence my wounded pride can muster. My mother’s brow wrinkles. “You’re living with a man?” I’m bobbing my head too quickly, giving away my guilt. “Yup, sure am. No doubt about it.”

“It’s not that bad.” It totally is.

She cradles him like a baby, and he licks her chin. “I’m practicing for daycare duty. How do I look?” She titters when Dusty wriggles to get closer. “Oh, I’m so excited.”

“How long were you parked outside Dagos?” I startle, and a heat creeps up my neck. “Uh, just for a bit.” “You sure it wasn’t my entire shift?” I scratch the burn at my nape. “Might’ve been.”

I love you so damn much, nothing else exists. Where you end is where I begin, connected in an infinite loop.

“Will you be mine?” “Thought I already was?” Her freckled face glows under the muted lighting. “Just double-checking.” I dip to her ear. “I’ll always be your anything.”

“I’ll just bring Marlene with me into the bathroom. Cut out the middleman.”

I draw her into my side where she belongs. Forever.

I feel my smile stretch wider while thinking about the sonogram he framed. He wrote Miracles come in all shapes and sizes above the image. I openly sobbed for twenty minutes after opening it. The heart-shaped key I gave him seemed weak in comparison, but Shane acted like it was a priceless treasure. I love that man.

“Marry me, Addison Jaymes. This time for real, because we want to. For no other reason but our love. Marry me because I can’t live without you. Nothing could keep me away from you, and I want it in writing. Marry me and agree to be my family, with our little blessing in tow. Marry me because I’m fucking crazy about you, Adds.”

“You give me far too much credit, sweetheart.” “And you don’t give yourself nearly enough.” I smile against her velvet skin. “Call it even?” “Forever?” Addison whispers. “And always.”