Page 62 of Switch

“You love me,” he counters easily, grabbing a plate. “But we’ll let you come to terms with that in your own time.”

I pull out a stool at the island and sit, watching as he dishes up bacon and eggs like he didn’t just ruin my life with that recap.

“You really made breakfast?” I ask, suspicious.

Jax smirks, setting a plate in front of me. “Figured you’d need something solid after last night. Thought about just feeding you bacon in bed, but then I remembered how much energy you burned.”

I groan, dropping my forehead onto the counter. “I am never drinking again.”

Jax laughs, sliding onto the stool next to me. “Yeah, sure. I’ll remind you of that next time you’re three glasses deep and trying to convince me to dance to ‘Wannabe’ with you.”

I lift my head just enough to glare at him. “I’m going to die of embarrassment.”

“Nah.” He leans in, pressing a kiss to my temple. “You’re going to eat, recover, and then maybe sit on my lap for a while.”

We’re sitting at the bar, eating breakfast, the quiet hum of the coffee maker and the occasional clink of silverware against plates filling the space. It’s comfortable—easy—but there’s something about the way Jax keeps shifting in his seat, like he’s got something sitting heavy on his chest.

Then he clears his throat.

I glance up from my plate. “What’s up?”

He hesitates for half a second, gripping his coffee mug like he’s about to say somethingreal. “I need to talk to you about something.”

I set my fork down, my stomach flipping. “Okay…” I say slowly. “That sounds serious.”

He exhales, like he’s trying to find the right words. “I want you to think about moving in with me.”

I blink.Did I hear that right?

I sit there, processing, while Jax keeps talking. “I know it’s only been a couple of months, but I’m all in, Bella. I don’t want to rush you, but damn, baby, I love waking up next to you. I want thateveryday.”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

“We’re already together most nights anyway,” he says, watching me closely. “And when we’re at your place, I always have to leave early to check on Oreo. Feels like we’re wasting time going back and forth when we both know what we want.”

I shift in my seat,processing.

I love my place. It’s mine, my own space. I worked hard for it. But am Iattachedto it?

Jax studies me, then leans in, voice lower, more patient. “I’m not saying you have to get rid of your place right now. Keep it. Give it a trial run, stay with me for a while, and see how it feels. If it doesn’t work, no pressure, you go back. But if it does? You can sell it, rent it—do whatever the hell you want.”

His fingers brush against mine on the counter, grounding me.

“I just know what I want,” he murmurs. “And that’s you.”

My chest tightens.

God, this man.

I lick my lips, trying to gather my thoughts. “You really think we’re ready for this?”

He doesn’t hesitate. “I was ready the second I met you.”

I huff out a laugh, shaking my head. “You’re crazy.”

He smirks. “For you? Yeah.”

I chew on my bottom lip, my pulse racing.

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