Page 66 of Cherish

“I have some pictures I want to show you.”

CHAPTER 42

ALEX

“Why aren’t you eating?” Jason whispers in my ear. “I put extra pickles on that thing. And you’ve been sipping on that one beer for almost two hours now. What’s wrong?”

I shake my head at him and force a smile. It’s a warm evening for late September, but I can feel a slight chill. Whether that’s in the air or in my bones is yet to be determined. To appease Jason, I take a big bite of my burger. I know it’s delicious, but I taste nothing.

“I’m saving room for cake.”

He smiles, but I can tell he doesn’t believe me. “Anyone want more drinks? Alex, can I get you something?” He’s saying my name but looking at him. He doesn’t wait for any answers. He gets up and grabs my hand.

“Say the word and they’re out of here.” He pulls out a few beers and grabs the pitcher of sangria left in the fridge.

“What? No!”

“Then what the fuck is wrong with you? You’re not acting like yourself and haven’t been since he barged in here. I want my Alex back.”

I try to pull out of his grasp, but he holds onto me.

“It’s just weird. I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t this. No, I do know what I expected.” I point to the sliding door. “I expected him to make excuses. To not want me. To say I wasn’t his, or that I was a mistake. To disparage my mother. I was prepared for all of that. What I wasn’t prepared for was this instant family.”

He doesn’t say anything for a while. He pulls me into a hug and holds me. I absorb his strength. “I don’t know how to be in a family, Jason. It was always me and Mom, and then it was just me.”

I pull out of his arms and turn my back to him as I hold on to the kitchen island for support. I try to steady my rapid heart rate by taking a deep breath, but I can’t seem to calm. I gasp for air until Jason puts a calming hand on my shoulder.

“It’s going to be okay, Alex. You can get to know them at your pace. You’re in charge here. You can give as much as you’re able to. I’m here, baby. Look at me.” I turn around slowly, and when I look in his eyes, I can feel my heart rate steadying. “You don’t have to do this by yourself anymore. You have me. I’m your family. You can tell me anything, angel, and I’ll always be on your side.”

“I know. I know, but I didn’t anticipate these feelings. I don’t even know what they are.”

“Do you want to talk to a therapist? I’m here, of course, but a therapist will help you identify and process your feelings. Work out your feelings about your mom. I know you must have some.”

I hug him and let his words sink in. I lay my head on his chest and sigh as his hand traces my spine.

“I’m not against that, but right now, I just need you.”

“You have me.”

“How did I get so lucky, huh?”

“Are you kidding me right now? I have the most beautiful girl on the planet agreeing to marry me. I’m the lucky one.” I jump into his arms, wrap my legs around him and kiss him, pouring my love into that kiss. He kisses me back, breathing his love into my body.

“I love you, Jay,” I whisper against his mouth.

“I love you, angel.”

CHAPTER 43

JASON

“Like I said before, I can’t believe I get the girl who loves carrot cake. Dee, did you bring me any strawberry shortcake?”

“It’s not your birthday.” Alex sticks her tongue out at me, and I blow her a kiss.

“You two are killing me,” Tina says. “No, I take that back. You four are killing me with all this love. My sister and her fiance, and their friends, the newlyweds. And I get to go home to a cold bed while my husband is away at a stupid conference. If I was single, I’d so set up a dating profile. Maybe even on Tinder.”

Everyone but her father laughs at Tina. He frowns at her and shakes his head in disapproval.

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