Faithful (Wanted 3)

I put my hand up to stop her. If she had come to me a few weeks ago…I probably would have been a fool and taken her back. But now, there was Jessie. Something about Jessie made me feel all weird inside. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced with Chelsea. When I’d touched Jess, it felt like fire was moving through my body. When I’d kissed her, I just wanted to crawl deep inside her. I’d never experienced anything like that before. With Chelsea, it had all been just…sex.

Damn it! I screwed up so badly.

“Let me walk you out. ” I stood up, took her by the arm, and started walking toward the front door. I opened the door and gave her a little push out. “Next time you have a fight with your boyfriend, don’t come here. As a matter of fact, don’t come here ever again unless you call first. I also need my key back. ”

She just stood there and stared at me. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to pick some country bumpkin over me, Scott? Have you been drinking or something?”

“Chelsea, Jessica has more class in her pinkie finger than you do in your whole body. I’ve never in my life met anyone who makes me feel the way she does when I’m with her. Will you please leave now?”

“You just made the biggest mistake of your life. ”

“No…the biggest mistake of my life was walking away from her in the first place. ”

She turned and stomped off toward her car, bitching the whole way.

I looked at my phone. Nothing. I headed back in and made plans to get up early, so I could go to Jessie’s and beg her to drive with me to the coast.

I had some serious making up to do with that girl. I just hoped I wouldn’t fuck it up. Last time, I’d walked away from her because I was scared to death of the strong feelings I had for her.

This time, I’m not going anywhere.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

After I loaded up the last of our suitcases, I started to make my way back into the house. I saw Mrs. Smith walking down the street with her little monster dog who hated me.

I’m gonna get a giant-ass dog and have him eat that thing.

“Josh! Hello, darling. How are you feeling?”

I gave her my best smile, which always made her blush. “I’m feeling wonderful, Mrs. Smith. Thank you. I’m about to be married to the most beautiful girl in the world. What could be better?”

She laughed and looked around for Heather. “Where are you taking her for the honeymoon? She said you wouldn’t tell her. ”

Nosy-ass neighbors, I swear. I smiled a

s I shook my head. “Oh no. I know how you women are. Y’all stick together! The minute I tell you, you’ll tell Heather. ”

“Oh no! I won’t. I promise. ” She winked.

Just then, Heather walked out of the house, carrying her wedding dress in a white bag. I’d felt tempted to look at it when she was in the shower, but I didn’t.

“Saved by my bride-to-be,” I said with a laugh.

Heather looked between Mrs. Smith and me before she started laughing. “Are we about ready to go?” Heather asked with a wink.

God, I love this girl. How did she know I needed to be saved from the nosy neighbor? “Yep! Just about. ” I turned back to Mrs. Smith. “You have a lovely day. See ya later, little puppy. ” I quickly moved away and started back toward the house.

Heather’s mouth dropped as I left her to fend for herself with Mrs. Smith.

I walked into the house and did a quick once-over since we wouldn’t be back for almost two weeks. I smiled when I thought about how surprised Heather would be when she found out we were going to Italy.

When I picked the girls’ brains about where to take Heather, they all agreed on Italy. Heather had visited there a few times with her mom and dad. I was worried it would bring back memories, but Amanda had said Heather had talked about going back almost as soon as her parents had died.

Heather had a small pouch that she kept on her dresser. I’d asked her once what it was, and she’d told me it held rose petals from a flower her parents had given her. They’d planned on going to Italy for Heather’s high school graduation present. They had wanted to stand on the ocean shoreline and drop the petals into the water. Her father had said it would be a way to celebrate her moving on to the next phase of her life.

I picked up the pouch and put it in my backpack. I opened up my dresser drawer and took out the ring box. I slipped it into my backpack beside the pouch. I smiled and headed downstairs. I stopped and looked into the empty bedroom that would be the nursery. I already had an idea of the cribs I wanted to make. I’d drawn them up and sent them over to my dad to get his thoughts. He loved them, and he’d asked if he could help make them.

When I felt Heather’s hand on my shoulder, I turned to look at her.