Page 85 of Loved By You

The drive back to his apartment is silent. I lay back against the leather seats of his Audi and look up at New York’s night sky out of the passenger window. It's a mixture of twinkling lights and dark sky, and it comforts me. It’s the city that brought Jack back into my life to the start of the most unexpected chapter.

Out of the car and safely inside, I walk through Jack's apartment, kick off my heels, and head to the kitchen for some water. I feel at home here now. I lean against the marble counter and soak in the view from his apartment. Next to his insane bathtub, the view is my favorite part of his apartment. His arms snake around me and pull me in towards him. His lips find the top of my head and I let out a breath and feel my body instantly relax.

“If you want to talk, talk, but if you don't, I’m here okay, I’m here.”

How does this man just get me? He just knows me inside out.

“I have something to show you.” I turn my head to look at him and see a glint of excitement in my eyes.

“We spend all our time with the girls at yours, which I love, but I want my home to feel like your home and the girls' home.”

“W… what?” I’m lost for words.

He takes my hands and guides me to the kitchen cupboards; he opens them and to my complete shock, it’s stocked with all the girls' favorite snacks and sippy cups.

“They have their goldfish, and of course M&M’s for Lexi and here…” The excitement in his voice is bringing a lump to my throat. He takes me towards his guest bedroom. Opening the door, I’m met with a sea of pink. I cover my mouth with my hand, a tingling sensation flitting through my chest as realization hits me.

He’s making space for us in his life.

The drapes have been changed to pink butterfly ones, with a matching comforter on the bed. There are two Minnie Mouse cuddly toys on the bed and beside the bed is a pack and play with pink sheets.

“Jack… I don’t know what to say. This is… beautiful.” I step further into the room, taking in all the details. So much thought and care has gone into this and every little piece shows how well he knows the girls.

“You got a pack and play?” I point with a hint of humor to my voice.

“Yeah, but I got my housekeeper to build it. Not a chance I was attempting to unpack one of those again.”

I let out a laugh that’s mixed with the onset of tears.

He did this for them… for me.

“We can change it if they don't like it and we can get Elle a proper crib, but I want them to know they have a home here… that I want them here. I want you all here.”

“God, why are you so perfect?” I laugh through sobs, wiping the tears that won’t stop flowing.

“Well, I try,” he replies, bringing my face towards his.

“This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for us,” I tell him, choking back another sob.

“I…” He clears his throat. “I know you have a lot of shit to sort, but, sweetheart, I’m crazy about you. I just need you to know that, okay?”

I swallow, finding the courage to say what I want to say, but I settle on repeating his own words. “I’m crazy for you too. Thank you. I can't explain how much this means to me… but I’d like to show you.” My tone is low, full of need for this incredible man.

I press my lips to his and our kiss is slow and passionate and full of all the unspoken words we are yet to say. I spend the night getting lost in Jack with New York's night sky behind us, castingshadows over our naked skin as we make what feels like the closest thing to love I've ever experienced.

Tonight, we let our bodies say what we are too scared to say and prove that if two people are meant to be together, they will eventually find their way into each other's arms, no matter what, because the way we are when we are together, it's impossible to believe that we weren't meant to be.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jack

We collected the girls earlier this morning. Seeing their little faces light up at their room was everything. They wasted no time making themselves at home. Every hard surface in the apartment is covered in something pink and plastic. The sofa cushions are on the floor and Lexi’s new obsessionFrozenis on its second go on the TV and I have honestly never felt more content.

I smile from the couch, watching Ria hold Elle on her hip, a whisk in her free hand, using it as a microphone as she dances around the island as Lexi stands on top of it like a stage.

Watching Ria move and laugh with her girls is the most beautiful sight. She’s dressed in gray sweat shorts and a white tee, her hair piled on top of her head and when she’s like this, to me, she is the sexiest woman alive. Sure, she's stunning dressedup, but watching her smile, and glow, and just be herself is a different level of beauty.

This woman has been to hell and back and yet doesn't let the storms she's weathered damage her girls. I don't think she realizes how incredible she is. A flutter hits my chest and I know this is what I want all my Sundays to look like.

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