Page 142 of A Little Crush
Keeping this in mind, I say, “To be clear, I am the luckiest guy in the world. I know you think that because we took things slow and kept our relationship private that you’re afraid I’m not willing to stick around if and when things gettough. Because they will,” I clarify, “It’s part of life. I know I have a shit-ton of baggage, more than anyone, let alone your daughter, should have to help carry. I know Rory deserves the world and more. I also know I love her. Have loved her for as long as I can remember. I mean it. And that platonic love—andonlyplatonic love—” I emphasize, “shifted into something more when we reconnected at Maverick’s wedding. It turned into something deeper. And I know it’s scary. Trusting someone to look after someone they care about. Trust me. I’ve thought about what I would do if Poppy showed up with an asshole like me. But I promise you,” I turn to Rory, holding her gaze, “I promise you,” I reiterate, “I will always put you first, and the feelings I have won’t go away. I don’t want them to,” I add honestly. “I’ve already lived a life without you in it, and I refuse to do it again. Even if it means giving up my job or moving across the country. Even if it means putting up with a pissed off ex who loves making my life miserable.” I turn back to Henry. “I love your daughter, and one day, I hope you accept it.”
The same intensity I’ve grown accustomed to during Lions meetings glares back at me, making my pulse ratchet as I hold Henry’s stare from across the table, refusing to back down or cave under his scrutiny.
“I love her,” I repeat. “I do.”
“I believe you,” Henry decides. “Only needed to hear you say it.”
“Then it looks like we need champagne,” Mia announces. She orders a bottle from the waitress, and within minutes, glasses with amber liquid are set in front of us.
Raising hers into the air, Mia says, “To Jaxon and Rory. The couple we had pegged long before any of us shipped Finley and Griffin or Maverick and Ophelia.” She grins.
“What?” Rory gasps, lowering her half-raised glass as she registers her mom’s words. “You had us pegged?”
“Of course we did,” Mia laughs. “I mean, it was a little touch and go with the whole Jaxon-decided-to-get-married and all, but after he announced the divorce earlier this year,andwe knew you’d be coming back to town for Mav’s wedding, I had no doubt you two would wind up together.” Her eyes cut to Henry. “By the way, you owe me big because that was a lot longer than sixty-seconds.” Her attention drifts to me. “I’m sorry we had to put you through the wringer. Trust me. It wasn’t fun for us, either, but we needed to be sure.”
“I get it.” My mouth curves up. “And I’m glad I passed.”
“With flying colors,” she promises.
“Hold up,” Rory interjects. “You’re saying you had us pegged before anyone else?”
“Of course we did,” Mia returns. “Baby, a love like this doesn’t go away, and it’s not something you can fight, either. You just needed to be patient until the timing was right.”
“She’s sugarcoating it,” Henry clarifies. “But we know Jax is a good guy, and after watching you grow up and holding onto your feelings for him despite your best effort to let him go, we knew he was the only person who could ever really make you happy.”
Rory’s bottom lip juts out like she’s fighting back tears and she reaches across the table, squeezing both her parents’ hands. “I love you.”
“Love you, too, Squeaks,” Mia returns.
“Love you, Rore.” Henry raises his glass into the air with his free hand. “To Jaxon and Rory.”
“To Jaxon and Rory,” Mia repeats.
Peeking over at me, Rory raises her glass. “To you and me.”
“You and me.” I clink my glass against hers then lean in for a kiss, sealing my promise for everyone around us to witness.
This is it. No more running. No more hiding. I brace myself for an onslaught of trepidation or second guesses. But instead, all I feel is…peace. And damn, if it isn’t the most cathartic feeling ever.
“Love you, Beautiful,” I murmur against her lips.
“Love you.”
49
JAXON
“You sure about this?” Rory asks. “I mean, I know my parents are one thing, but…” She peeks up at the house I once shared with Iris before giving it to her in the divorce. I follow Rory’s gaze, taking in the red brick, trimmed lawn, and black door. If I close my eyes, I can still feel the hot sun beating me down on me as I painted it a few years ago. So many memories, yet I don’t miss it at all. Strange.
Turning off the ignition, I grunt, “Might as well get it over with. I think Iris will take it better if she finds out from us.”
She hesitates and picks at her T-shirt. “That’s probably true.”
“Why don’t you stay in the car, and I’ll take Poppy inside? She might handle it better if it’s only me.”
Not that she’ll handle it well in general, I silently add, but the more I can shield Rory from Iris’s wrath, the better. And maybe, in a week or two, she’ll have calmed down and things won’t be so shitty. Maybe.
“Whatever you think,” Rory offers. “I’m here to support you, so…”
