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“Thank you.” Jonas scrunches his brows. “For letting me get that off my chest. For allowing me to shed weight I didn’t know I still held on to.”
He strokes his thumb over my cheek. “You’re welcome.” Leaning in, he kisses my forehead. “Can I take you somewhere?”
“Yes.”
He kisses my lips. “Nowhere fancy. But after the day’s events, I think it’s the perfect place to be.”
Jonas starts the Jeep and drives away from downtown. Billie Eilish croons through the speakers as the city zips past us. Every minute of the last two hours flashes in my mind. The worry and anxiety, joy and fright. Then I relax. Melt into the seat and close my eyes as realization hits.
This is over. And Clementine won’t be going anywhere. Relief washes over me and I bask in it. Let it heal me and steal all the pieces of my past that threaten my well-being.
Before long, Jonas parks in front of his parents’ house. I glance over at him and tilt my head.
“Only Mom is here. She wanted me to call as soon as the hearing ended. Since I didn’t have the chance, thought this might be better.”
For whatever reason, my nerves skyrocket. The few times Clementine and I have been over for family dinner night, his parents—the entire family—have been lovely. Treated me like I belonged. Hugged me like their own daughters.
So why are my palms sweaty?
We go inside the house and Jonas calls out for his mom. I clamp onto his arm, mirroring a timid child. His mom steps out of the hall, her smile bright, wide, and welcoming.
“Hey, you two.” She pulls Jonas in for a hug, then me. She holds me at arm’s length, eyes searching mine. “How’d it go?”
Jonas guides us to the living room and we all sit. Over the next hour, we share the craziness of the morning. Along with the good news. More than once, Jonas’s mom tugs me into her arms and just holds me. The second time she does, I cry on her shoulder. She holds me close, strokes my back softly, and tells me to let it all out.
Irene Thompson may not be my birth mother, but she is the most maternal person in my life. And she embraces me as her own. For that, I have never been more grateful.
When I finish spilling my heart, she drags us to the kitchen and we make lunch together. The simple sandwiches taste better than any meal I ate in my youth. We sit at the dining table and enjoy each other’s company.
As it nears time to pick Clementine up from school, we exchange hugs and goodbyes.
“Hope to see you all on Wednesday.”
I curl into Jonas’s side. “We’ll be here,” I answer for us.
“See you then. Give that little girl a hug for me.”
We say one last goodbye before leaving. Jonas drives us through the city and in the direction of Clementine’s school. And the entire time, I ogle him.
How did I get so lucky? How did I land a guy as sweet and caring and desirable as Jonas? A man who doesn’t just love me, but also my little girl. A man who goes above and beyond to make us happy. Who doesn’t hesitate when it comes to our hearts and our happiness. Who will drop everything to be there for us.
I don’t know what I did to deserve Jonas, but I will never take him or us for granted.
“What’re you thinking about so hard over there?”
“How lucky I am,” I answer without hesitation.
He reaches for my hand and brings it to his lips. “Think you’re mistaken.” When I continue to stare at his profile, unspeaking, he fills in the blank. “I am definitely the lucky one.”
TWENTY-SIX
JONAS
Clementine darts across the house, Spartan hot on her heels as they search for Lex. Giggles echo from the pile of blankets on the other side of the couch as Clementine keeps calling his name. When she finally lifts the blankets away, they both run off laughing.
I help Jasmine and Jillian make dinner while Autumn sets the table with Mom. They chat while placing plates and silverware and napkins on the table. But their conversation is too quiet for me to hear.
“Really good to see you smiling so much,” Jasmine says, bringing my attention back to the kitchen.
