SWNOVELS Acts of Grace: Part 2 – Chapter 25
five months later…
I’m grinning like a fool as I open the door to Bella and Cassie. It’s our weekly girls’ night, and I’ve been looking forward to this since Monday.
Things have been tense ever since I gave Titus my ultimatum. He never outright answered me, and I never brought it back up after the fact.
So far, we’ve been acting like it never happened, but I know it did. And the truth is, nothing’s changed.
I’m still the same woman who wants a family––a home.
For the moment, though, I’ve been trying to live in every little bubble of bliss we have, cherishing the affection and laughter that the privacy these four walls provide.
If these walls could talk, they’d speak of stolen moments and lust filled nights, full of love and laughter.
Despite the awkward moment when I broke down and told him how I really felt, there hasn’t been a night he hasn’t been with me. Drama or not, the man hasn’t left my side.
“What’s up with you?” Cassie smirks as she walks past me and plops down on the white linen couch.
“Oh, we know what’s up with her. I bet it starts with a T and ends with an S.” Bella heads to my bar, grabbing the ice buckets, placing a bottle of white in one and sparkling water in another.
I still can’t believe she’s pregnant. I mean, I can. The way her and my brother are always on top of each other.
Another pang of jealousy hits, the need to have the same thing leaving an ache in my chest.
“Remind me why we have girls’ nights, again? Seems like we’re always talking about my non-relationship with Titus.” I chuckle as I close the door behind me. “Instead we should be planning all of the upcoming nuptials. I swear, there must be something in the water. Babies and rings for everyone!”
Everyone except me.
“Um, nope. It’s more like you’re always avoiding the topic of your non-relationship with Titus. And as for wedding plans, Cassie’s got it all covered, so how about we get back to you and Titus.”
I put the tray of mixed nuts, olives, and various cheese on the island. “You know the drill ladies, help yourselves.” Setting out the plates and napkins, I fully avoid the topic of Titus for the fifty-millionth time.
Yes, he’s been staying here, and yes, we’ve been getting closer, but I’ve yet to stay the night at his home and he’s yet to come out and officially announce that we’re together.
The situation is messy and I’m afraid that if I say anything, it will only rock the boat and end the cloud of bliss I’m on.
Bella pulls the sparkling water out of the bucket, her massive engagement ring glittering as she pours the bubbling contents into a cocktail glass. “Don’t think you can ignore us forever. You’ll have to talk about it eventually. It isn’t healthy to bottle it all up inside. Trust me, I tried to do that when William had his hair brain scheme to incriminate Heather, and it almost cost us our relationship.” She joins Cassie on the couch, the pregnancy glow only enhancing her natural beauty. “The past couple of months have definitely been a whirlwind of drama and chaos. I’m just glad everything has started to settle down.”
Cassie snorts, popping an olive into her mouth. “You can say that again.”
They aren’t kidding. I’ve been living in my bubble of bliss with Titus but that hasn’t stopped the world around us from spinning.
William finally divorced Heather after the truth came out about her connection to our mother and the bribing of the judges.
As soon as the decree was signed, William planned a getaway for him and Bella where he proposed. It was the most beautiful setting, held at a private beach on the cape.
Not long after, Ren and Cassie had their own share of drama, ending in their engagement and moving in together. Their new home is absolutely stunning, set along White Rock Lake with the most amazing view from almost every massive window in their million-dollar ranch style home.
There’s a knock at the door, breaking me from my thoughts. “Yes, it’s definitely been a crazy couple of months. With you two engaged, I think the next one in line is Charlotte.” I pull the door open and let the lady in question step in.
“Did I hear my name?” Charlotte, Aiden’s girlfriend comes bearing gifts. “Had to make a stop at the chocolaterie around the corner. They have the most amazing truffles, and I knew you ladies would appreciate them.”
“I know I will!” Alyssa steps in from behind Charlotte, her long red hair swaying as she grabs a box for herself.
“Hey, those are for sharing.” Charlotte admonishes, but the smile never leaves her face.
We’ve all sort of adopted Alyssa into the fold, like our baby sister. She’s the youngest, only being seventeen.
Looking around the room, I can’t help but smile. These ladies have become family, the sisters I always wished for growing up.
We all bring something different to the table and our small group of five wouldn’t be what it is without a single one of them bringing their crazy selves to the mix.
“So, what’s on the table today.” Alyssa pops a truffle into her mouth as she plops down in another egg chair.
“Harassing Ashley into admitting there’s something going on between her and Titus.” Cassie snickers into her drink.
“I thought we already did that at Bella’s. Didn’t we all agree she should withhold the cookie until he publicly declares their relationship?” Alyssa waggles her brows before reaching for a glass and pouring herself some of the white.
Rolling my eyes, I finally join the others, sitting next to Cassie on the couch and reaching for my glass. “Enough with me and Titus. I gave him an ultimatum and he is yet to decide. Eventually it will be time to let him go, so how about we ignore that shit for now and let me be blissfully ignorant that my future could look like that of a sixty-year-old cat lady.”
Looks of pity and outrage surround me and all I want to do is bury myself under towers of bon-bons, cheese, and wine.
“Oh, hunny. He will come to his senses.” Charlotte sits to the other side of me, placing her hand on mine. “That man adores you, and even though he hasn’t admitted it to the rest of us yet, it’s as clear as day whenever he’s around you. He looks at you as if you’re his moon and stars.”
“Then why is it so hard for him to come out and admit it to the others?” I know I sound like a petulant child, but I can’t help it. I love the man so much and if he asked me to do anything for him, there’d be no hesitation.
“Who knows why men do anything. They call us complicated creatures when it’s really them who do things ass-backward.” Alyssa huffs out, blowing a crimson strand of hair from her face.
We all turn to look at the newest addition to our crew with raised brows all around. “Has our little baby found a boy she’s interested in?” Bella squeaks as she claps her hands together.
Alyssa laughs out loud, “Baby? Last I checked you were only one year older than me!”
“Two. I’m nineteen now.” Bella scowls while the rest of us chuckle.
“So, is Bella right?” I ask, partly curious, partly trying to lift the heat from the whole Titus conversation.
Alyssa sighs, “Sort of. It doesn’t matter anyway. Nothing could ever come of it and based on how he acts around me, I think I’m more of a nuisance to him than a possible love interest.”
“Nuisance. That’s an interesting word choice…” Charlotte purses her lips as she eyes the rest of us.
We all know that Hudson’s father asked him to host his stepsister while she went to college in Dallas. From what we understand, it wasn’t really a favor but more of a demand.
“Yes. Nuisance. Like I said, I doubt anything will come of it. Anyway, now that everything’s settled down—Heather and Marissa both being in prison— we should all plan a trip together. WRATH lockdown was no joke and I appreciate the freedoms Hudson has allowed.” Alyssa pops another truffle into her mouth with another roll of her eyes.
“Freedom.” I scoff at the complete misuse of the word. “I don’t think we could ever be truly free while being ladies of WRATH.”
“This is true, but hey, at least we aren’t those judges who helped Marissa and heather out.” Cassie shrugs her shoulders and winces. “God, I heard they were stripped of their titles, publicly reprimanded and are currently on trial with all of their assets seized.”
“Yes, one of them even committed suicide!” Bella blurts out while bringing a hand to her chest.
I take a sip of my drink, not feeling sorry for any of them. Not even my own mother. “They all knew what they were doing. If they didn’t like the idea of being dressed in orange, they should’ve considered that possibility before they all joined forces in an effort to destroy lives.”
The girls all nod in unison, the comfortable quiet creating a solemn mood. Needing to break us out of this darkness, I bring my hands together with a loud smack. “Okay, enough of the doom and gloom.” I grab the remote and turn on the T.V. “How about we watch Kill for Me, the new movie adaptation for V. Domino’s Dark Renzetti series.
“Yessss. Love me some Nico.” Cassie lets out a low whistle as she rubs her hands together.
“Now that’s some doom and gloom I can get behind any day.” Charlotte chimes in. “Nico might be a psychopath, but he’s my psychopath.”
“Oh no, I call dibs.” I playfully growl before hitting play.
I’m joking… but not really.
Nico ‘the cold’ Renzetti is mine.