Page 67 of Jumping In

I chuckle. “What’s Taylor Swift say? You’re the best thing that’s ever been mine?” MJ hits my chest playfully and we both crack up laughing.

“I really think you’re just a big ole closet Swiftie!” I laugh harder and then lean back onto the couch, pulling my girl with me. My girl. Mine.

July 24

I wipe the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand, walking toward the shop door to greet the customer that just arrived. I’ve been busting my ass at the shop since I got back a few days ago. Even though we were only closed for a day, I haven’t been wanting to work late nights even though I should be. MJ has been staying with me and is hard to resist. Instead of chilling in the shop with me today, she’s spending time with Shannon and said she was going to work on stuff for the restaurant.

“How can I help—” I almost drop my wrench when I take in the large form of the man who just walked into my shop. “Mr. Lawrence, sir. MJ was just here. Is she okay?” My heart beats faster and my head spins with worry for MJ. Mr. Lawrence continues walking into the shop, stopping in front of me with his hands raised in front of his chest.

“Whoa, calm down. MJ is fine as far as I know. She’s been checking in with her mother. I actually came to see you. Do you have a moment?” he asks.

“Uh, sure. I mean, yes, of course. Come, take a seat. Would you like something to drink?” I gesture toward the couch and then walk to the mini fridge to grab myself a water, wishing I had stronger stuff down here.

“No, thank you.” He eyes the shop as I grab a chair from the office and sit down across from him. He sighs, looking me in the eye. “I’m a prideful man, Alexander.” I take a gulp of water and nod, not sure where this is going. “ButI’m not too prideful to admit when I was wrong.”

“Sir?” What does he mean he was wrong? He blows out a breath and looks around the shop and then back at me.

“Apparently, you’ve been keeping a secret from me and the whole town,” he says. I gulp, my heart rate picking up as anxiety rushes through my body. “MJ confided in her mother and me a few days ago. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to come out and talk to you in person.”

I knew she had shared the truth with her parents, but I wasn’t expecting Mr. Lawrence to come talk to me. I figured things were resolved with them and we would slowly introduce ourselves as a couple around them.

Mr. Lawrence continues, “Taking the fall for your brother? Why?”

I take a deep breath and then explain to him—just as I did MJ—all the reasons I did what I did. Mr. Lawrence listens and nods his head in what I hope is understanding.

“You’re a better man than me. I can tell you that much.”

I shake my head, furrowing my brow.

He continues, “I have a younger brother who was much like Jacob is for you. Always getting into trouble when we were children and then as we got older, trouble became more serious.” He sighs, running his fingers through his thinning hair. “He took advantage of the fact that our father was a lawyer and relied on him to bail him out of every mistake he made—literally and figuratively. When I took the helm at the firm, he assumed I would do the same.”

“But you didn’t.” It’s not a question. I can tell from his tone and knowing MJ has never once mentioned an uncle on her dad’s side.

“I didn’t.” He shakes his head, looking up at me with regret shining in his eyes. “I didn’t, and now I couldn’t tell you if he’s dead or alive. So, the fact you helped your brother in that way, especially when he’s treated you much like my brother treated me, makes you a better man than me. And it also shows me what you’re willing to do for the people you love, like my daughter.” He gives me a pointed look, and I nod.

“I do love her, sir.”

“I know you do, son. It’s obvious you do, and my own experiences have blinded me not to see how happy you make her.”

“I don’t know, sir. I’m trying, but I still think she’s too good for me,” I say.

Mr. Lawrence huffs out a laugh, shaking his head.

“Well, we might agree on that, but she loves you. I can see it now thanks to her momma pointing it out. Hell, maybe between you, her momma, and I, we can convince her this town isn’t so bad after all.” I raise my eyebrow.

“I thought you wanted her to go to law school and get out of Oakridge for a while.”

He shakes his head. “I thought that’s what I wanted too. Yet again, my wife had to remind me we were her age once. I didn’t always want to take over the firm, and I won’t force Emmalynn to do the same if she doesn’t want to. I just want her happy.” I nod and let the surprise roll through my body. Maybe MJ had her parents all wrong this whole time. Mr. Lawrence continues, “You make her happy, son. I’mwilling to see that now and let her have her happiness. The career, whatever she decides, it will come eventually, but she’s obviously already got the most important thing any of us could hope for her to find this young.”

I tilt my head in confusion. “What’s that, sir?”

“Love.” He smirks at me, which is odd to see on his usually so serious face, but I smile back. “Don’t get cocky though, kid. I’m giving you my blessing, but if you break her heart – well, I know people.”

My eyes widen, but then he cracks a smirk again and I can’t help but laugh.

“Okay, sir. Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t mention it. Why don’t you come by the house for Sunday dinner?”

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