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It takes all my strength to break apart from her and lock up the truck as she locks her house.
I am careful to drive the speed limit to my house. I don’t need another ticket or an altercation with another of Jared’s friends.
When we finally get to my house, I back the truck into the driveway, park it, and set the emergency brake.
Staci and I hurry into the house, eager to finish what we just started.
As our lips and bodies clash into one another, the ringing of her phone has us breaking apart.
Staci glances at the caller ID. “It’s the security guy.”
She answers the phone and I listen as the two of them make small talk.
I’m impatient for some good news.
She hangs up the call, but she doesn’t smile.
I search her face for any signs that it was a good call.
“Help me out here. What did he say? Was it good, bad, or indifferent?”
“They issued an arrest warrant for Jared this morning and he was calling to tell me they just apprehended him and he is now behind bars as he awaits trial.”
Staci sighs and for the first time since I’ve met her, I see her totally relax and breathe.
Her nightmare with Jared is finally ending.
And our dream life is just beginning.
Chapter Twenty Three
STACI
ONE YEAR LATER
A knock soundson the bathroom door before Marc’s worried voice is heard from the other side of the wooden divider.
“Staci, not to rush you or anything, but are you almost ready? The reservation is for seven thirty and right now it is six forty-nine.”
I yell back. “Then we are swimming in time.”
The restaurant is only a two-minute walk from the condo that Marc has rented for the week, so I don’t know what his rush is.
I line my eyes with liquid eyeliner before grabbing the tube of mascara.
After checking my reflection one last time, I slip on my knee length black sequined dress before sliding on a pair of black heels.
I meet Marc in the beach themed living room.
He is wearing a black fitted suit with a traditional white button-up shirt and a black tie.
His gaze lowers to my feet before taking in the rest of my body. When he gets to my chest, his gaze lingers for a few extra moments before landing on my face.
“Wow, you look incredible.”
Has he seen himself?
“You look quite handsome yourself.”