Page 80 of The Love Penalty
“You, too, makua.”
He grins, and we blow a kiss to each other before I hang up.
The quiet swamps me, and it’s a nice, peaceful feeling, yet I’m still unsettled, which is why when Caroline walks through the door fifteen minutes later, I ask if she wants to go to the student gym and see if there are any classes on.
She’s up for it, and we quickly change and head down there, happy to join in the second half of a Zumba class. We have some fun working up a sweat, then buy ourselves iced lattes on the way home.
“You seem happy today.” Caroline grins at me.
I nudge her with my shoulder, feeling my face warm as she reads me with a narrow-eyed look.
“Falling hard for the rich MOFO, huh?”
“You know it,” I have to admit.
She lets out a little squeal and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “I’m so happy for you!”
“Me too.” I smile, then stop and grab her wrist. Turning her to face me, I stand in the late-afternoon sunshine and hope she can see how much I mean this. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Her nose wrinkles.
“For being here. For taking me to my first therapy session. For just… being the world’s best friend. I wouldn’t be in this place if you hadn’t kept nudging me and trying to get my butt out the door. Thanks for not giving up on me.”
Her eyes glass with tears as she steps into my space and gives me the hardest squeeze. I hug her back, and we both sniff and have a gentle cry for a moment.
Pulling back, she wipes at her eyes with a laugh.
“I love you so damn much, bestie,” she blubbers. “And I’m so happy that you’re healing and finding your joy again.”
“I love you too.” I smile, kissing her cheek before starting to walk again. “And I love Asher.”
Caroline gasps, and I can’t help wincing when she starts bouncing on her toes and shouting, “I knew it!”
I give her a side-eye. “Wait a second… you did know it!” I nudge her with my elbow. “There’s no way Casey didn’t tell you today. Asher said he wants the whole fucking world to know. He didn’t understand what my problem was when I got annoyed with him for blabbing about my slipup last night.”
Caroline cracks up laughing. “Yeah, Casey told me this morning. Asher made you breakfast in bed?” She swoons. “How adorable is that?”
“I know.” I bite my lip. “There was a flower on the tray and everything.”
“I can’t believe how sweet he is with you.”
I give her a simpering smile. “He loves me.”
“I know!” She tips her head back with a gushing smile, and I revel in this feeling.
With the sun on my face and my heart full to bursting—it’s cheesy, but it’s true—I’ve never felt so light before.
Asher loves me, and I love him.
It’s like I’m stepping into this whole new era of my life, and I’m not afraid to embrace it.
I’m healing.
I’m falling in love.
And nothing’s going to steal this joy away from me.
CHAPTER 35