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Mac grinned, clearly pleased with her reaction. “Glad you like it.”
She couldn’t wait to see what else he could cook. It was a good thing he learned to cook because she wasn’t that skilled in the kitchen.
The conversation was light through dinner. After they finished eating, Mac set their plates aside and pushed the coffee table away to give them more room. Then he turned to her, his expression serious yet tender.
“Tell me what’s on your mind, Jess.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked into his eyes, seeing the concern and care there. She knew this was her moment to share everything she’d thought about in the car. And as much as she wanted to, the words still felt tangled inside her. Maybe because, under everything, she felt a little bit ashamed. Relationships were supposed to be two-way streets. But going by everything that was inside her head, it had mostly been a one-way street.
When no words would exit her mouth, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.
Mac wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “Take your time.”
At that moment, with his strong arms around her and his presence by her side, Jessie knew she could face anything.
???
Mac was happy when Jessie had texted him and asked him to come back to the penthouse. In all honesty, he hated being apart from her.
But just from the tone of her words in the texts, he could sense there was something on her mind.
As they sat there, her head on his shoulder, he knew it would be up to him to give her a little push.
He kissed the top of her head. “Can you sit up for a second?” he asked.
When she sat up, he leaned toward the coffee table, topped off their wine glasses and sat back, handing her glass to her.
“Thank you,” she said, giving him a small smile before taking a sip.
“Talk to me, Jess. You know you can talk to me about anything.”
She bit her lip nervously, her fingers tightening around her wine glass. Mac watched as she took a deep breath, then took a large gulp of wine, and he almost laughed. It was classic, Jessie, trying to muster up some liquid courage. But when she set the glass down, her eyes filled with tears, and it broke his heart.
Without hesitation, he set his glass down and pulled her into his arms. She came willingly, burying her face in his chest as the sobs broke free. Mac held her close, rubbing soothing circles on her back as she cried, her body trembling against his.
“For the past few days, I’ve been so confused,” she finally whispered through her tears.
He tightened his hold on her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s okay, sunshine.”
Slowly, she began to calm down. Mac continued to hold her, waiting patiently until her breathing evened out.
When she finally pulled back, he cupped her face in his hands, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks. “What are you confused about?” he asked softly.
She hesitated, her eyes darting away before meeting his again. “It sounds stupid, but…”
“Jessie, nothing you say is stupid. Obviously, something has got you worked up. But I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me,” his voice was firm but gentle.
“I don’t want to lose you again,” she exclaimed.
“Hey. Where is all this coming from?” he asked, wondering why she would think she would lose him.
She played with the cuff on her pajama top, trying to avoid his eyes. But then, she huffed out a big sigh and turned her head to meet his gaze.
She then started telling him about a conversation she had with Lacie. Then she started spouting off some shit about him being the one who was putting more effort into their relationship than she was, which upset her because she felt like she was failing their relationship by not making her own sacrifices. He wasn’t going to lie. Knowing she had all this shit bottled up in her pissed him off.
When she finished talking, Mac watched Jessie wipe away the last of her tears. Her eyes were red and puffy, but somehow, she still managed to look ridiculously beautiful.How is that even fair?He thought. Her nose was a little pink, and her hair had gone from perfectly styled to a wild brown mess, but all he could do was grin. She looked like a cross between a heartbroken angel and someone who had just battled a windstorm. And, of course, even with mascara smudged under her eyes, she still made his heart skip a beat.
Leave it to Jessie to make crying her eyes out look cute.
