Derek had been placed under arrest, and took a plea deal soon after. He was facing life in prison, without the possibility of parole. There was no use in having a trial. The video evidence was enough to convict him. When he found out that he'd lost his stake in the business as well, he lost his mind. Last I heard he had been put on suicide watch.
There was a part of me that felt sorry for him. He had finally found the father he'd been searching for, only to find out he wasn't the man he thought he'd be. He was a cold, unloving man and not just to Derek. Even Owen's relationship with the man was strained. I rubbed my stomach subconsciously then, thinking about my own child.
I made a promise to myself right then and there, that no matter what I would never let my child feel anything but love. Their father never got to experience such a thing, but with Owen and I... they would experience it every single day.
I was feeling good about my decision. No second guessing, no worrying. Just... good. For the first time in a long time my insecurities, and self doubt seemed to vanish. Owen had shown me time and time again how much I mean to him, and I was ready to have the life that I always dreamed of having.
Morgan has been unbelievably supportive. She's sad that we're leaving of course, but she understands. We chose to stay partners for now. I'll take care of the marketing, and merchandising from Nashville, and I agreed to attend video meetings when I'm needed. There hasn't been a chapter in my life without her in it since elementary school. It was going to be an adjustment, but I felt confident that things were going to work out for the best.
I had just finished stuffing the last of my clothing into a box on the bed, when she entered my room.
“I can't believe you're moving.” She said, as she grabbed a pile of clothes from the end table and added them to my box.
“I honestly can't believe it either.”
I closed the box using my weight to keep it shut, and she grabbed the box tape running it along the seems to seal it.
“I feel like I've held you back. Do you even like marketing?”
I laughed. “Actually I do. I'm surprisingly good at it. It was the fashion part that was hard to understand.”
“That's because you're a nerd.” She teased.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I've been called worse.”
“In all seriousness though. I don't know what I'm going to do without you. It's been you, and me for as long as I can remember.”
“You've never needed me. Your designs speak for themselves.”
“I'm not talking about work, Ronnie. I'm talking about all of this. Life.” She spread her arms wide, and spun in a slow circle for dramatics.
“Owen and I will come and visit, and I'm sure Nashville has a few sexy cowboys you could sink your claws into. It isn't goodbye. It's... see you soon.”
“Who will I call when I'm drunk and can't drive home?” She mock whined.
“Uber?” I teased.
“Not funny! Have you seen some of those drivers?”
I laughed. “I'm going to miss you too, Morgan.”
She sighed. “It wasn't long ago that we were packing up your things for a different reason.”
“I know it hasn't been long, but it almost feels like another life time ago.”
“That's because it is. You aren't the same woman who pulled out of her daddy's driveway in an old pick up truck. You've grown so much since then and I hate to admit it, but a lot of it has to do with Owen.”
“I can't explain it. There's just something about him that makes me want more. Not just want it, but know that I deserve it. Does that make sense?”
“No. But I'm damn jealous that you've found it. I'm afraid I'll be bed hopping well into my fifties.”
I shook my head. “You need to put yourself out there. There's more to men than just sex.”
“Not all men look, and act like yours.”
“He's far from perfect, and he's made just as many mistakes as you, and I.”
“Name one.” She said, arching a brow.
Owen chose then to come out of the bathroom. Steam wafted out into the bedroom as he adjusted the towel he wore around his waist. Suddenly my need to tell Morgan how imperfect he was, went out the window. I didn't say his body wasn't perfect.
“You were saying.” Morgan said.
I laughed, and so did she before quickly leaving the room so that he could get dressed.
“Did I miss something?” He asked.
“Nothing at all.” I beamed up at him, before wrapping my arms around his neck.
He placed his hands on my waist, and smiled back at me.
“You're in a good mood this morning.”
“I'm just happy. Everything is finally working out the way that it was supposed to.”
He leaned down to press his lips against mine, and I nipped at his bottom lip. He grinned reaching for the hem of my tank top, and swiftly pulled it over my head.
“Owen.” I giggled. “The movers will be here soon.”
“Guess we better hurry then.” He growled, before dipping his head into the crook of my neck.
I felt his hot tongue dart out to lick me, and I shivered in anticipation. His hands roamed up from my waist to my back, unclasping my bra effortlessly. With a little shrug I let it fall to the floor before reaching for his towel. I gave it a swift pull, and it too was on the floor. He hooked his thumbs into the band of my cotton shorts, and shimmied them over
