Page 57 of Jett

“That’s not funny.”

“I know. I’m an arsehole.” I reach out and run a hand over her hair, tucking it behind her ear. “I don’t know what else to tell you, darlin’. Life handed us both a raw deal, you more so than me. I can’t make it better. I can’t bring him back or replace your husband, but I can love you.”

“What are you saying?”

“Hell, you really gonna make me say it again?” I smirk, and the tears shining in her eyes cause my protective instincts to kick in. “I love you, Raine. I think I’ve loved you since I walked into that fuckin’ coffee shop and you looked up and took my order.”

Her lips tip up in a sweet smile.

“Even now, even smilin’ through your tears, you’re still fuckin’ knocking me off my feet, and all the air from my lungs.”

“Liar. I look like a goddamn mess.”

“No, you look like a woman who just lost the love of her life.”

More tears spill over her cheeks, and she sobs and clutches me close to her chest. “I spent so long caring for him, I don’t know how to do anything else.”

“It takes some time. You’ll be okay.”

“How did you do it? How did you survive Mia?”

“I’m still wondering that myself.”

“God, you’ve been here for hours.” She rolls onto her back and stares at the ceiling. “I need to feed you.”

“I know where the kitchen is.”

“That’s not the point. You’ve been so good to me and I—”

“Saved me from drinking myself to death only a month ago.”

She sniffs. “We make a great pair, huh?”

“Come on. Let’s get you something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You’re gonna eat, Raine. I don’t care if I have to spoon-feed you, you’re gonna eat. You can’t afford to lose any more weight.”

She rolls her eyes. “Oh right, I would hate to drop a dress size.”

“Come on, now. You know you’re perfect just as you are, right?”

“No. I’m not. I have stretch marks, a fat arse, and boobs that are far too big.”

“You tryin’ to make me want you more?”

She inhales sharply. “I’m not ... I ...”

“You’re not anything but perfect. You got that?”

She nods and climbs out of bed. I head for the door, but she stops and turns around to face me. “Thank you. For everything. This apartment, my job, for being here. You’ve given me so much.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, Jetthro. It’s everything.”

I reach out and take her chin between my thumb and forefinger, tilting her face up to mine. “You’re everything to me, Raine.”

---