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“You’re worried about your sister and me.”
Jackson nodded jerkily.
“You heard what we said the other day.”
“Yeah, I know you love her. She’s fucking nuts over you too.”
“Language, kid.”
Jackson eyed me exasperatedly. “Seriously?”
“But it’s more than that. I hope you realize that none of the time we’ve spent lately, especially just you and me, was just to be sure your sister liked me. Well, let me be clear, that’s where it started. But I genuinely enjoy being around you. Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about that night. I had asked Margot to move in with me. But I wanted to be completely clear that it meant you too. I thought we could change my office into your room for the summer, and then after that it can stay ready for you whenever you want to come home from school.”
“Really?” Jackson’s voice was soft, his face downcast. “I know how hard it can be with a kid…”
I was already shaking my head. “No, kid, look at me. You and your sister are a package deal, and I’m thrilled to have both of you in my life. My home is your home. Always.”
“I don’t want to ruin anything between you two.”
“The only way you’d ruin it is if you refuse me.” I gripped his shoulder, feeling the slender frame under his jacket. “Family is everything to me. And I want to be a part of yours. Badly.”
Jackson rubbed his nose, quick fingers dashing away what I figured must’ve been tears. I gritted my teeth against the swelling in my throat. “What do you think? Want to move in?”
Jackson nodded then slowly met my eyes. “Only if you marry my sister.”
I chuckled, yanking the kid close for a hug. “If she’ll have me after meeting my mother, then it’s a deal.”
“Your mother?”
“Brace yourself. You’re practically a Calvin now. We’ve got a whole list of issues.”
Jackson studied me closely, and then a wide smile broke out over his face. “But you take care of your family, don’t you?”
My heart pounded as I steered us back to the door. “I will always take care of my family, Jax. Always.”
***
Chapter 12
Margot
My list of life accomplishments may not be very long yet, but one thing I knew well was champagne. And the bubbly that I held in each hand was one of a kind. I held it aloft as I crept across the dance floor, headed to where Declan Windham, his wife Hannah, and Sam Rayne and his wife Stephanie were standing. Handing off one glass to Hannah, I sidled between the two women and crossed my arms over the low V-cut of my black evening gown.
“Jamie is going to die when he sees you in that dress,” Stephanie cooed happily.
I grinned, feeling less self-conscious surrounded by new friends. “Thanks. I still can’t believe you talked me into buying this.”
“I can. Stephanie is the group enabler, and she takes her role quite seriously,” Hannah piped in before taking a sip of the champagne.
“Just living vicariously. I can’t wait until I can fit back into my usual dresses.” Stephanie pressed a hand over the smooth baby bump, a rueful smile on her face.
“I can. I love you like this,” Sam said, leaning to press a kiss to his wife’s dark curls.
I watched with a mix of fascination and near painful jealousy as Sam smoothed a hand over his wife’s growing belly. Something deep in my core clenched.
I couldn’t wait until Jamie could do that. In the meantime, I ran my fingers around the heavy diamond band on my left hand. It had all come fast after we met. But at the same time, nothing had ever felt so right in all my life.
I couldn’t wait for the next step either. Or for Jamie to hurry up and get here from the airport. His flight had been delayed, so his partners had picked me up in their limo, and we had had a great time on the short drive down to this formal event. It was my first as Jamie’s fiancée. Or really, my first as Jamie’s anything. But more than that, I was attending as one of his employees too.
