(Jayden)I watch Winona’s face as my words sink in. The shock is clear in her eyes. Telling her that we should stop sharing a bed—hell, that we should basically stop living together until the wedding—it’s like dropping a bomb and waiting for the smoke to clear.And part of me hates that I’m doing this, that I’m causing her this kind of confusion. But deep down, I know it’s the right call.She stares at me, her voice soft but filled with disbelief. “What about the kids? Do you expect me to just leave every night, after they’re asleep? What kind of message does that send?”This isn’t a decision I made lightly, but it’s one I know we need. Both of us. There’s too much history here, too much pain we’re still dealing with. And I’m not ignoring it any longer.I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m not trying to make things harder for anyone, especially not the kids. This… it’s for us. For you and me.”“Sure.”“If we’re going to do this—really commit to getting married again, to building
(Winona) Lisa pours the wine, her eyebrow quirked as she glances at me from across her small kitchen island. “So, what exactly did he say?”I take a long drink from my glass, trying to let the alcohol smooth the edges of my nerves. “He wants to stop living together until the wedding,” I say, keeping my voice flat. “And he thinks we should stop sleeping in the same bed.”Lisa nearly chokes on her wine, setting the bottle down with a clatter. “Wait, what?” She’s staring at me, eyes wide.I shrug, swirling the wine in my glass. “Not exactly. Just until the wedding. We’d already agreed to not have sex until the wedding night.”She leans back, folding her arms. “That’s a whole new level of self-control. Are we sure he’s not an alien? I mean were you okay with the no-actual-sex thing?”“I was, until he started saying Ashlyn’s name and the fucking safe word in his sleep.”“He did what now?” Lisa’s eyes are wider.I nod. “I just don’t know what to think. These dreams, he says they are nightm
(Winona)Lisa’s laughter fills the apartment as she pours us another glass of wine. “Okay, but seriously, Winona—how do you really know Jayden is the one?”She leans back, eyebrows arched, like she’s just dared me to figure out the meaning of life. “You’ve only ever been with him, right? What are you even comparing him to?”I blink at her, way past the tipsy stage. “I love him, Lis. That’s how I know. It’s not a comparison game. I just... know.”Lisa shakes her head, laughing again. “Bullshit! You can’t just know. That’s like saying, ‘Oh, this pizza’s the best,’ but you’ve never even tried another slice!”“Pizza would be great right now,” I muse.“Bitch, you’re talking about spending the rest of your life only ever having sex with one guy. It’s not natural.”I roll my eyes. “Fairly sure it’s natural to a lot of people.”“In the dark ages maybe. Hell, you might like it with a woman better.”I stare at her.“Well, you might and you’ll never know.”“You must have gotten close with Philli
(Winona)The morning light is way too bright, stabbing at my eyes as I pull up outside the penthouse complex. Where are my sunglasses? Fumbling in the center console, I pull them out and slide them on.My eyes practically breathe a sigh of relief.I cannot navigate the underground parking lot this morning. My head's still in some weird wine and tequila fog, and my stomach’s doing somersaults like I’m on a carnival ride. I rub my temples.Why did I think getting shitfaced would be okay? I give a giggle and a hiccup. But it was fun. Okay, I can do this. I try to shake off the remnants of last night, but one subject is etched into my brain.A hall pass. I can’t even focus on driving and parking, let alone life decisions.As soon as I step out of the elevator doors, Jayden’s there with Abby. The noise pierces my skull like a laser. I smile. Trying to act sober I take a couple of steps into the lounge area.I should have stayed on Lisa’s sofa and called Jayden.“Mommy, why are you wearin
(Jayden)“A hall pass?” I repeat, feeling my voice catch in my throat like I’ve been punched.She stops pacing, turning to face me with her arms crossed defensively. Her eyes are wide. I can tell she’s still way too far gone from last night, there’s something dead serious behind those glassy eyes.“Yeah. A hall pass. I mean, if I’m really gonna marry you, I need to... you know... figure some things out.”I blink, staring at her like she just told me she’s considering a career as a rodeo clown. “Is this Lisa’s idea?”“No.”“Really?”She groans, throwing her head back dramatically before letting out a loud sigh. “Jayden, I’ve only ever been with you! What if... what if you’re like, the worst in bed and I just don’t know it because I’ve got nothing to compare it to?”I can’t help it, I snort. “I can assure you, I’m not the worst—”She cuts me off, waving her hand in the air like she’s swatting away a fly. “Self-praise is no recommendation!”Then she hiccups, followed by an awkward giggl
(Winona)“Girl, you’re killing me,” Lisa says, sliding the cocktail over to me with a smirk.I take a drink and shrug.“You’re seriously trying to act all chill about this? Like, ‘Oh, I’m not even sure I’ll go through with it’? Come on, Winona, you’ve got a hall pass. Do you know how rare that is? It's like finding a damn unicorn.”“Yeah well, when it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I can’t believe that Jayden won’t have a problem with it later on.” I don’t want to set off world war three.“It’s not like he has to know.”“What if he asks me?”“You’re under no obligation to tell him anything.”“What if he says he regrets the decision?”“If he does, it’s his problem. You’ve been honest. He doesn’t own you.”I take another sip, the alcohol smooth but strong enough to warm me from the inside out. “Maybe but it’s also not compulsory,” I shoot back, my lips curving into a small smile.Lisa raises an eyebrow, swirling the ice in her glass. “It is compulsory. And I’m telling you ri
(Winona) “Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?” Lisa asks, her hand lingering on my arm as we step outside the club before she leaves.I laugh, pushing her gently. “I’ll be fine. Go! You’ve got your boy waiting, and I’m not about to be a third wheel.”“I don’t want to cock block you either. You got this.”She gives me a once-over, probably trying to gauge how drunk I am, but I’m not wasted. I’ve had enough to loosen up, sure, but I know exactly what I’m doing.“Okay, but seriously, don’t overthink this. Just have fun tonight. You deserve it.”“I am having fun,” I say with a grin. “Trust me.”Lisa gives me a wink before heading off, her hand sliding into the guy’s who’s she’s been seeing lately. She leans in to whisper something to him, and they both laugh as they head in the opposite direction toward another club.I watch them go for a second, feeling a weird mix of envy and excitement. She’s got it easy, no emotional baggage tied to anyone. But tonight, I’m ditching the emotional bag
(Winona)I push the door open to Lisa’s apartment, the morning light already way too harsh. I’ve got my sunglasses on, but I’m still squinting like a vampire.My dress from last night clings in all the wrong places, and my hair?Let’s just say it’s seen better days. So have my insides which are currently mush. I’m aching and throbbing in places I forgot I had.I step in, trying to act like I’m fine, but Lisa’s already clocked me from the couch. She’s lounging in her PJs, sipping coffee like she’s waiting for the latest gossip.Which, of course, she is.“Well, look who finally decided to show up!” she calls out, her tone dripping with amusement. “Walk of shame queen!”I roll my eyes, tossing my bag onto the kitchen counter. “Don’t start.”“Oh, honey, I’m just getting started.” She sets her coffee down, eyes twinkling. “You’re still in the same dress, your hair looks like you just rolled out of a very busy bed, and you’re walking like you’ve ridden a wild stallion. Spill!”I laugh, shak