When Stars Collide (Second Chance Romance #2) - Sara Furlong-Burr Page 0,36
sixties.”
“That’s exactly what Jo said. I hear the name is making a comeback. You know, like Edward, Gertrude, Elmer.”
“To be fair, I don’t think Elmer will ever be making a comeback.” I raised an eyebrow, silently requesting him to proceed. “When I saw Phineas, and noticed he was decidedly not in the realm of what I expected, and then I heard how he talked about you and how excited you seemed to be with the way things are going here, which I’m happy for you, Mena, I really am, I guess I allowed my insecurities to take over.”
“Peter Monroe, are you jealous?”
“You don’t have to look so smug about it.”
“I hadn’t realized my face was reacting to my thoughts.”
“It’s not just a jealousy thing.” He caught my eye and relented. “Okay, it’s not entirely a jealousy thing.”
“Then what?”
“You have a life here.”
“You don’t say? And you have a life in Virginia.”
“I do, and until Jackson grows up, I will continue to have a life there. New York is great to visit …”
“You just don’t want to live here,” I finished his sentence. “Peter, I know. You haven’t exactly made a secret of it.”
“And then I hear about how well you’re doing here, and what great opportunities you have. Mena, I can’t compete with that.”
“I’m not asking you to compete with any of it. We’ll figure something out. Part of my job can be done offsite. Phineas and I will work something out.” I laid my hand on his thigh, capturing his attention. “I love you, Peter Monroe. When we decided to give us another go, I know we expected to have more of a plan in action by this point in our relationship, and we will. I promise you it will work out. Otherwise, The Beatles are a bunch of filthy liars.” He had a big, goofy grin on his face that was only briefly interrupted by confusion. “Because as The Beatles sang, All You Need Is Love.”
“So, you love me?”
“Yeah … yeah, don’t go getting a big head over it.” I ran my fingers over his chin stubble. “In all seriousness, you’re the first person outside of family I’ve ever said that to, so it’s kind of an honor if you think about it.”
“I love you, too, Mena Straszewski.” Goosebumps sprouted across my skin as he brushed his thumb across my jawline. “Thank you for putting up with my—”
“Man tantrum?”
“My concerns.”
“Well, then, thank you for putting up with me in general.”
“Always.”
He leaned in to kiss me, the weight of his body pushing me down onto the couch, his lips leaving mine to travel down my neck. “I love you,” he whispered when he neared my ear.
“I love you, Peter,” I moaned.
“For God’s sake, it’s only been ten minutes and you’re already fornicating on the furniture,” Jo scolded us as she reappeared from her bedroom on her way to the kitchen. “Kudos to you two for making up so quickly, but at least have the decency to put a towel down or something.”
“Don’t worry,” Peter said, sitting up, “I think the mood has been seriously compromised.”
“Good. Consider this my metaphorical banana peel, cheater. We’re even now.”
CHAPTER FIVE
I was sitting at my desk, thoroughly entrenched in revision suggestions to Love Me Tender, when my phone’s notifications alerted me to a text from Elle.
Elle: I just took a DNA test.
Me: Turns out you’re 100% that bitch?
Elle: What?
Me: NVM
Elle: Oh, a Lizzo reference. Very Nice. I’ll allow it this time.
Me: Right? When else would I have been able to break that one out?
Elle: I had reservations at first, but I had to do it. I can’t live my life not knowing the truth about Mark Damsky, especially if I have the chance to get to know my real father. Or any father for that matter.
Me: I agree. How long until the results come back?
Elle: A couple weeks or so.
Me: So…good luck, I guess?
Elle: I guess so. I’m not sure what you would say in this situation.
Me: I’ll bet Hallmark knows. They know what to say in every situation.
Elle: Along those lines, can we plan on meeting up at La Bella’s the next time you’re in town? I want to start checking items off my to do list.
Me: Great, and I’ll get to meet Kirsten and Petunia, because you know how much I enjoy meeting new people.
Elle: It’s Violet, not Petunia.
Me: Close enough.
After completing my revisions, I emailed them to Cassandra Willis, the author of Love Me Tender, and noticed that it was six-thirty—well