She hadn’t been swept up in such excitement for ages.
The car pulled over to the side of the road, and the two of them stepped out. The man extended his large hand towards her, “Hold onto me, don’t get lost.”
“I’m not a toddler!” Selena shot back, but who was Everett to take no for an answer? He simply clasped her hand, intertwining their fingers, and tucked their joined hands into the pocket of his coat, guiding her along the curb.
His hand was dry and warm, sending a pleasant jolt straight to Selena’s heart. Strolling down the street hand in hand like a couple was something she never thought she’d experience, yet here they were, living the dream.
They walked in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company.
“Selena,” Everett broke the quiet.
“Hmm?” she replied, curious.
He stopped, turning to face her, his lips moving as if he was wrestling with his words. It was rare to see him so hesitant, and Selena couldn’t help but stare, wondering what had him so tongue-tied.
Finally, he spoke. “I’m going to try to see your family as my own from now on. Families joke around; it’s no big deal.”
“So, you don’t have to be so tense explaining or apologizing to me,” he added.
Out of all the possibilities she had imagined, this was not one of them. Everett, who had always dismissed her family—thinking her uncle was greedy and Ricky a troublemaker—was now saying he would try to embrace them as his own.
Selena’s heart raced uncontrollably, its pounding echoing in her ears.
“Is Ricky upset? He likes sports cars, right? He must have his license by now. Should I ask Derick to arrange a limited edition sports car for his birthday?” he offered.
Selena’s long lashes fluttered in surprise. After a moment, she whispered, “Everett, it’s not that you can’t be kind; you just didn’t want to before.”
At first, Selena resisted, but soon her defenses crumbled under his tender touch. Her arms found their way around his neck, returning his embrace.
Everett noticed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. As their clothes fell away, he scooped Selena up, her slender legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the bed.
Before long, their heavy breathing and soft whispers filled the quiet room...
Afterwards, Selena drifted into a deep, satisfied sleep while Everett, content yet restless, lay awake.
Suddenly, his phone rang, slicing through the silence.
Everett glanced at the screen, seeing the name Margot flash. Squinting slightly, he pondered for a moment before slipping out of bed, taking the phone to the hallway, and answering the call.
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