Manage My Heart (New Year New Me 2)

“You heard the lady,” West whispers, moving forward to take my lips with his.

I sigh, refamiliarizing myself with his taste and feel.

We part for air and to avoid the balloons batting at us courtesy of the wind.

“Come inside.”

“Well done, loverboy. You pull that again with my sister, and we’ll have a problem,” Jenay warns.

“I deserve that. I’m sorry. There was a lot going on all at once and I blew it.” He grabs my hand. “I’m learning. Your sister has never taken crap from me before, and I’m sure it applies now as well.”

“A man who accepts when he’s wrong. Impressive.” Jenay inclines her head. “I’m feeling a little third-wheel syndrome, so I’m going to take your car and go visit Mom,” she says.

“I didn’t mean to chase you off,” West says.

“Keep her smiling like she is now, and I’m happy.” Jenay hugs me and makes good on her promise.

“Now that we’re alone, there are some things I need to tell you about Priscila and Mr. Scott.”

“Am I going to want to slap you?”

“I don’t think so?” He grabs the bouquet and pulls it in front of him, making me laugh. The start was rocky, but the road ahead looks promising.

ONE MONTH LATER

“What are you going to do?” I ask nervously. I shift in the bed to face him.

“Testify. I have to.” West strokes my back.

“You don’t.” The thought of going up against Thomas Alby makes my skin itch. He’s ruthless. I think he’d do anything to silence the people who’re speaking against him.

“My tape is just a drop in the bucket. The Scotts have him on far worse. Especially Priscila.”

“That’s a plot twist I did not see coming,” I mumble.

Weston laughs. “She played her role well.”

“Why did they even choose to go after him?”

“He ruined Scott’s nephew. He had an upstart manufacturing company in the U.S,” Weston explains.

“Wow. So karma came for him.” I can’t muster any sympathy for the miser.

“Mmm-hmm.” West nods

“When’s the case start?” I trail my fingers down his chest. Life has been a series of exciting ups and downs as we got used to this thing called being a couple and figuring out our new lives. West is deciding between working for his father or starting his own business, which keeps him busy most days. His nights, however, belong to me.

“I don’t know. It could take time for them to decide on a date. Especially if Alby keeps stalling. I guarantee you he’ll try to put Porter in charge, so they can’t pin him as the owner.”

“He’s such a weasel.”

“Which is why he doesn’t deserve a second more of our time.” Weston rolls me over, and I giggle. “Now we need to get up or explain to my parents why you kept me in bed so long we were late.”

I splutter. “M-Me? You’re the one pinning me down.”

“I can’t help it. You look so irresistible.” He licks the seam of my lips.

I pinch his side.