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“You’re my wife. I have to make you smile somehow. And I’m making up for your entire life.”
“You’re not responsible for that.”
“But I’ll do it anyway.”
Some days, I didn’t know how to bask in my new life. Levi was attentive—more so than anyone I knew. The only close second were Isra and Nancy, who I grew closer to by the day. When I accepted that I deserved love, it was more difficult than I expected to let them in, but I worked hard at it. Now, the three of us had a group chat where I would tell them about my day.
Levi put the flowers in a vase as I worked on food and sipped on coffee. We’d fallen into an easy step since fully leaning into the marriage. As time went on, I was taking on DIY projects on the house and making it more like a home. I was determined to keep the charm, but Gram would have wanted me to make it mine.
It even extended to Mr. Buford’s house. Levi had paid for a ramp since Mr. Buford was now in a wheelchair full-time. He’d fought the financial assistance, but both of us insisted, especially since he’d already been given the chair by a charity organization.
One that we’d started, of course.
But the changes also extended to the neighborhood.
The new family who lived in the old house across the street were in the midst of remodels too. They had two adorable kids who I often said hello to on my morning walks while they waited for their bus. Our little undisturbed corner of Nashville had stayed that way.
Calvin had to sell the house quickly to pay for court fees. After we’d pressed charges, he was removed as CEO, and his focus quickly moved to trying to fight going to jail for assault.
It didn’t work. There were too many people with video evidence and I had the scar on my chin to prove his troubled past. Mom and Dad vowed to never speak to me again if I went through with sending him to jail.
I didn’t care. I had no interest in talking to them.
They’d sold the family company too, and the new owners werenotpursuing Levi’s business anymore.
From the little I’d heard, Calvin had spent a few months in prison. Mom and Dad had pleaded to get him out on bail before his sentence was up, and at first, I’d been worried he would come after me. I got one letter in the mail from him, which Levi sent to the cops and put him back into jail for a few weeks, and he finally got the message.
I wished he was spendingmoretime behind bars, a sentiment Levi shared, but him losing the company and a lot of his money was almost enough for me to be satisfied.
I was more focused on ensuring that my life was perfect.
I spent a lot of time with Lily, and Riley when I realized she was more than serious about befriending me. Lily and I had gone to trivia and karaoke nights at Riley’s shop, and recently, we started hanging out outside of her work. She was busy with her two kids and husband, but she tried to make time for us.
I couldn’t explain how happy I felt to have a group of people who likedme. Once my family could no longer ruin things, I was dedicated to working on my self-esteem and feeling like I was worth all of the greatness in the world. It took time, but I was finally coming around.
“Are you still meeting Lily for coffee?” Levi asked as we ate.
“She’s showing me her newest book,” I said with a smile. “I’m so pumped.”
“Fantasy or romance?” he asked. “I love that your best friend is a writer, but she’s brutal when she writes fantasy.”
“Romance this time, which is why I’m extra excited. She’s been working her ass off for the last year, and it’s finally time for me to see the fruits of her labor.”
After a few months of marriage, I’d asked Lily if she was willing to let Levi know about her life as a writer. She told me she was surprised I hadn’t already told him.
His expression was priceless when he found out the author of the dark fantasy that still gave him nightmares was my best friend. I’d laughed until I nearly passed out, and he told me I wasn’t allowed to keep secrets anymore until I reminded him that this one wasn’tmysecret to tell.
Once I showed him her new romance collection, it was far easier for him to see the genius that was my best friend.
“When is this one coming out? Maybe we can add it to the book club.”
“Sooner than later,” I replied. “I’d love to have her secretly there or something.”
As time went on and I worried less about my family and more about living my life, I needed a book club of some sort to go to every week.
I’d told Levi, and while he and I often read the same books, I wanted to expand. I asked Riley if there was one that met at the coffee shop, and she told me I could start one. I wanted to, but I was still nervous about the breakthrough migraines I could get even when on my medicine. That was when Levi reminded me that we were a team now, and he could cover when I couldn’t.
And I finally felt like I could run one again.