Page 187 of If You Claim Me

“Arms out everyone!” Meems declares.

We all extend one to the centre of the table, palm up and she drops a new bracelet into each of our palms.

“Oooh! These ones are flashy!” Everly’s eyes are lit up with joy.

“That’s because they’re special.” Meems winks.

Each one hasGrace Familyin gold lettered beads, followed by each of our names.

In just a couple of hours, Victor and Everly will be ours. We’ll be our own little family, not just in our hearts, but on paper, too. For the first time in my life, I truly belong to someone.

Every time I sat next to Mildred at a hockey game, every smile she graced me with, every word she spoke—wrapped themselves around my heart.

I thought I was helping her and getting what I wanted in the process, but then she gave me her heart. And claimed mine.

I’m her sweet villain and she’s my little menace.

We belong to each other until the end of forever.

And that might just be long enough.