Just Let Me Love You (Judge Me Not #3)(40)

Quietly, I ask her how she’s been, like how she’s really been.

“I really am okay, Kay,” she insists. “I’ve accepted what happened if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“That’s good, I guess,” I quietly reply.

“It is,” she says. “But Kay, can I tell you something?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“I haven’t had to go through all of this alone. Someone, someone you’d never expect, has been a great help.”

Curious, I raise a brow. “Oh? Who’s been helping you?’

Missy smiles surreptitiously. Whoever it is, he or she is making her happy.

“Believe it or not,” she says, at last, “Nick has come back into my life. He’s really been there for me, and it’s made a world of difference.”

Well, he was the father, I think.

“That’s great Nick has been there for you,” I say, truly happy for Missy. “He’s a good guy.”

“He really is,” Missy agrees. She presses her lips together, suppressing a genuine smile, but she can’t help herself. Beaming, she tells me, “Actually, Nick and I are kind of dating now.”

“Seriously?” She nods, and I add, “That’s wonderful, Missy.”

“I know it’s kind of a backward way to start things,” she says. “But I guess it is what it is.”

“Hey, there’s no right or wrong way to begin a relationship. I met Chase when we literally ran into each other in this very parking lot.” I wave my hand around to where we’re standing. “When all is said and done, what matters is where you and Nick end up.”

“Thanks, Kay,” she softly responds. “I knew you’d understand.”

Yeah, Missy Metzger and I have come a long way. And I’m glad. So glad, in fact, that I long to share with her my happy news—the fact that Chase and I got hitched in Vegas. But our nuptials are still our secret. Chase and I have yet to tell a soul.

So, I decide to wait…for now. I also decide something else as we are standing in the church parking lot— I decide when the time is right, I will ask Missy to be my maid of honor when Chase and I do have our church wedding.

Missy and I talk for a few more minutes, about school, about church things. And then, when we run out of words, we say good-bye, and I then hop in my car and head home.

Back at the house, I can’t wait to hear from Chase. We’ve talked and texted a bunch the past few days, but I haven’t heard much from him today. That thankfully changes when my cell rings and his comforting voice is the first thing I hear when I answer.

There’s a smile in my voice as I reply, “Hey, Chase.”

“Hey, babe.”

I sigh, as does he, and then I tell him. “Damn, I am missing you so much. I swear there are reminders of you everywhere.”

He chuckles then says, “I miss you too, Kay. More than you can imagine.”

“It’s just so good to hear your voice,” I say.

And then we talk for a long while. But when it’s time to disconnect, I just can’t. The ache of missing him has actually begun to hurt.

“Only three more days apart,” I whisper, pained. “Do you think we can survive seventy-two more hours?”

“Fuck, I hope so,” Chase replies, sighing. “I swear this week apart has felt like a goddamn month.”

“For sure,” I agree, and in a low voice, I add, “You know what the hardest part has been, though?”

“What’s that, sweet girl?”

“Not touching you, Chase. And you, not being here to touch me.” I choke back a sob. “It’s killing me, I swear.”

“Baby, baby,” he says, trying to soothe me. “I promise I’ll touch you so much when I return home that you’ll grow sick of me. You’ll be pushing me away.”

“Never,” I declare. “I could never push you away, Chase.”

He laughs. “Wonder if you’ll be saying those words twenty years from now.”

“Are you kidding?” I scoff. “Trust me, I will.”

And then, after a long beat, Chase says, “Kay, I love you so much, baby.”

“I love you, too.”

“I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without you,” he whispers. “Helping Will and being strong for him. I know I’ve stumbled and faltered, but I feel stronger now than I ever have before. Just knowing we’re in this together, forever. Marrying you was the best decision, ever.”

“Chase…” My heart skips a beat. “Be safe, come back to me soon.”

“Three days,” he says.

“Three days,” I echo.

“We’ll make it.”

“We sure will.”





Chase



Friday finally arrives and it’s time to go home. I’m both relieved and excited to head back to Ohio. Mostly, I can’t wait to see Kay, but unfortunately, it is only morning, and my flight doesn’t leave until three in the afternoon.

More waiting, f*ck.

Will looks more than a little sulky that I’m leaving Las Vegas. There’s some time before I need to head to the airport, so I suggest we grab an early lunch.