Page 14 of Ready, Willing and Abel (Dog Tags #6)
chapter
fourteen
Esme
I stare at the television screen, tears streaming down my cheeks. Somewhere deep inside I’d thought he’d left. I’d imagined that all of the internet chatter made him realize we didn’t work.
“Hey, Cactus Girl,” he says.
And I realize he’s standing right next to the sofa.
“How did you get here so fast?”
“Television magic,” he says, with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
I roll my eyes.
“We filmed as soon as I got to California, and as soon as we wrapped, I was back on the plane.” He glances over at Dane. “Many thanks again for hooking me up with your sister-in-law’s private jet. Makes First Class look like bus travel.”
Dane nods.
“Take a walk with me?” Abel asks, holding out his hand.
I take it and we leave my sister and his brother and all the other people in the room as we go outside.
As soon as my feet touch the grass I pull him into a hug.
“You’re amazing. Do you know that? You didn’t have to go on air and defend me to the entire world.”
“Yes, I absolutely did. They need to know I won’t tolerate it. I’ll never give another interview or pose for any red carpet pictures if that kind of shit continues.” He threads his fingers through his hair, and I can see it’s messy enough to prove he’s likely been doing that all morning.
“Esme, when Tish messaged me this morning, giving me a heads up, and I saw all that nastiness. I wanted to burn down the fucking world. No one gets to hurt you. Not while I’m here.”
“I love that you defended me. But all of the other things you said. About health, weight, and morality… other people need to hear that. Maybe you should write a book.”
“I’m working on a new screenplay. It’s about a small-town farm girl and the slick movie star she brings to his knees.”
“Technically, you brought me to my knees.”
“Minor details.”
“I love you, Abel.”
“You don’t have to say that. I know you might need more time.”
I shake my head. “Baby, I’ve known since I was a teenager. Abel loves Esme. Esme and Abel forever.” I put my hand on his chest. “Esme Cartwright, remember?”
“Fuck, I love you.” He picks me up and kisses me.
“Get a room!” His brother calls from the house.
“Thanks for everything.”
“Uh, can someone take my sister home?” I ask.
“We’ve got her,” Evan says.
Then I let Abel bring me over to his car.
“What does all of this mean? How are we going to make this work? We don’t live in the same state,” I say.
“We do now.”
“What? Just like that?”
“I have a big house in Malibu, and I hate it. It’s all chrome and sleek lines, and it’s boring and colorless.”
“So you want to live in my tiny farmhouse with me and the goats?”
“The murder goats might need to stay outside. And maybe we’ll build a new house or add on to that. Whatever you want.”
“Whatever I want, huh? That could get dangerous.”
“I have a giant wallet in my pants.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?”
He shrugs. “Well, I wasn’t sure exactly what to offer you.”
“I don’t need your money, Abel, I just need you. By my side. I can travel with you too. Prickly pears don’t bloom year-round.”
“Anything, Cactus Girl. Wherever you are, I am home.”
***
I hope you loved Abel and Esme’s story. Please consider leaving me a review .
Read the other books in the Dog Tags seres:
Jack of Hearts
Fools Rush Flynn
Quid Pro Beau
Love ‘em or Liam
Happily Evan After
Grab Redeem My Heart if you want to see where Great Dane’s Dog Sanctuary started.
Keep scrolling for an excerpt from another book from Saddle Creek, TX, Micah