chapter 36

Jade

I looked up from my computer and stretched, rolling my shoulders around in circles, trying to ease the tension out of my muscles.

"If I keep leaning over my computer all day like this, I'm going to become a hunchback," I told myself, rubbing my lower back.

Heading to the kitchen, I refilled my sweet tea and grabbed a cinnamon roll. I leaned against the cabinets and thought about my relationship with Michael.

Life had fallen into a steady groove for us. Many people might consider our relationship mundane, predictable, and boring, which was perfectly fine for me. It felt safe. My entire life had been hectic, starting with my mother's death, Dad's drinking, and trying to raise Sage. I didn't know what would happen from one day to the next.

I smiled with contentment and satisfaction as I thought about my life.

Michael always got up first. He would head into the kitchen and start the coffee, likely something he had done since he moved out on his own. He was a man who needed his daily