Page 88 of Long Road Home

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

His head dipped, his lips met mine. He kissed me softly, sweetly. My hand slid to his neck, his went to my waist but the kiss didn’t go further. He didn’t deepen it. I took what he gave me and treasured it because this was big. Huge.

Somehow, he was telling me in that kiss that he believed we’d get through it together.

He pulled back, corners of his eyes crinkling as he licked the taste of me off his lips.

“How can I help?”

“You haveeverything packed and set aside that you want to keep?” Jordan asked.

We were at the airport. He’d insisted on driving Toby and I and it was zero-dark-thirty in the morning. I was barely awake because I’d had little sleep, mostly because last night, Jordan insisted on staying the night at Tillie’s with Toby there, and it’d taken Toby a while to fall asleep.

And Jordan had kept me up for several hours after that, making love to me, reaching so deep into my soul it was like he was trying to plant himself deep inside, so I had no choice to return to him.

Soon, he’d know there was no choice. I’d always belonged to him.

After he’d asked me how he could help, I took him up on it and we spent the rest of the day separating everything of Tillie’s I wanted to keep. Most of it was photos, although I was keeping some of her kitchen items and a few keepsakes that meant a lot to her. But outside of that, there’d been a distance. He was afraid I’d change my mind and wouldn’t return. I was still hurt that not only did he not trust me, he didn’t seem to be trying either. The thick unease settled over us and while we’re still together, our new relationship was tenuous at best.

“It’s all in the master bedroom,” I replied and pressed my hand to his cheek. “Thank you. For your help and for being you.”

“I’ll get the house taken care of while you’re gone. But call me. Hourly. Daily. Whenever you want, even if it’s just to say hi.”

I couldn’t miss the worry in Jordan’s eyes. I’d fight and bleed to do all I could to erase that look in him. “I will. I love you.”

That worry softened and he grinned. “I love you, too.” He looked down at Toby, whose head was dipped to his phone, thumbs flying across the screen. “I love you too, little man. You know that, right?”

Toby’s head jerked up. His spine went straight, and his little jaw relaxed like it could hit the floor. His eyes flickered to me before meeting Jordan’s gaze. I knew there was so much he wanted to tell Jordan. So much he had to say, but it was then I realized, it was the first time Jordan had given him that confirmation.

“Yeah,” he said. His chin wobbled.

Jordan crouched down, slid his hand around the back of Toby’s neck and pulled their heads close together. “I’ll take that test, Toby. I’m honored. So damn honored you want that from me. Then when you and your mom get back and get settled, we’ll celebrate that, okay?”

“Okay…Jordan.” My little guy swallowed a lump in his throat, tears brimmed in his eyes. “Thanks.”

“Do anything for you. Always. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Damn it. I turned away and swiped my eyes before I lost it. I’d cried enough. Cried for Tillie. For taking Toby from Jordan. From seeing them every single time they interacted. This was more special though.

This was more precious than gold.

Jordan stood and slid his arm around my back, tugging me to his side. He bent, kissed my temple and whispered, “I love you, Destiny. Go do what you need to do so you can get back to me. Then we’ll work on putting this family back together in a safe and healthy way.”

“I will. Promise.”

His lips pressed my cheek. Slid to my ear. “I believe you. Now go get on your flight before I haul your ass back to my place and never let you leave.”

Twenty-Nine

Destiny

“HaveI mentioned how much I love you guys?” I reached up and wrapped my arms around Drake’s shoulders. Next to him, Allison was as much of a sweaty mess as I was.

“You’re family, honey,” Drake said, patting my back. “It’s what we do.”

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