Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 150

"What do you mean, 'what'? You guys just got married! Aren't you going to do something special tonight?"

" ... "

Special? She and Ethan hadn't even done anything ordinary yet.

Janice saw her expression, and her eyes went wide. "No way! You and Mr. Jackson? He's young and full of energy. Which one of you is dropping the ball here?"

Janice was so blunt that Dawn didn't even know how to respond.

She took a sip of water to cover up, then tried to sound calm. "What do you know? We're just being responsible, okay? For each other."

Janice looked amazed, shaking her head for a good long while.

"Looks like I was right about my gut feeling."

"What feeling?"

"Mr. Jackson is one of those rare loyal guys" Janice let out a dramatic sigh. "Good thing I never got too hung up on him, or I'd be in real trouble."

Dawn said, "You're talented and capable. You don't need a man to prove yourself."

Janice dropped that topic and circled back to the first one.

"I'm telling you, you'd better put some thought into tonight."

"Why?"

"Why? Don't you know what guys think about? It's always the same thing. Mr. Jackson's already super successful. If the woman he loves gives him a little surprise, he'll love her even more."

Dawn bit her lip, nervously tracing the rim of her cup with her finger.

Tonight, huh ...

Honestly, she wasn't totally ready, but if Ethan really wanted it, she figured she wouldn't mind.

Janice saw that Dawn seemed to be listening and gave her a proud slap on the shoulder. "Good men don't come around often. You've got to hold on tight when you find one, remember that."

Dawn didn't think she had to "hold on tight" to anyone, but since Ethan had done so much for her, giving something back ... felt right.

Even when she got home, she was still wrestling with her nerves about what might happen that night, so she didn't notice that Ethan seemed a little off.

After dinner, the two of them sat on opposite ends of the couch, not saying a word.

Every now and then, Ethan glanced over, sighing a little heavier each time.

Sigh.

After who knows how many sighs, Dawn finally noticed.

She asked, "What's wrong? Did something go wrong at work?"

Ethan shook his head. "No, it's just ... I don't get it."

A sudden voice at the door cut them off.

Ethan closed his eyes and sighed, knowing exactly who it was without even looking. Dawn, who'd been nervous before, turned her head at the sound and saw a glamorous woman walk in.

She was wearing a black strapless dress that hugged her curves, with feathers swaying at her chest as she moved. Her makeup was flawless, her face perfectly cared for, and her wide-brimmed hat made her look every inch the rich lady.

Wait ...

"Mrs. Jackson?"

Tara's eyes lit up, and she opened her arms wide toward Dawn. "I knew spoiling you when you were little would pay off. You still remember me, Dawn?"

Dawn was swept into a warm hug, the woman's perfume filling her nose, reminding her of how she always imagined a mom would smell.

She couldn't help but take a deep breath, and when Tara let go, Dawn said softly, "Of course I remember. You haven't changed a bit."

"Oh, you're such a sweetheart!"

Tara beamed, pulling a box from her purse. "This is a little gift for you. It's been years since we've seen each other, so you can't turn me down."

Dawn tried to protest, but the words got stuck in her throat.

"Mrs. Jackson ... "

She sounded helpless, still searching for what to say, when Tara leaned in, her eyes suddenly a little sad. "I just realized, shouldn't you be calling me something else now, Dawn?"