Page 70 of Can't Let You Go
Jason steps into my space, threading his arms around my waist, bending down so he’s at my level. “I don’t either. I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I’m trying not to overreact, or think too hard, if I’m being honest.”
“Yeah, I get that,” I respond. “Everyone is going to ask, and I don’t know what we’re supposed to say.”
“Say it’s none of their business,” he retorts.
I swat at his chest gently. “Jason, I can’t say that and you know it. I love your family, but everyone is very open and tells each other everything.”
“Then we tell them that right now we are figuring things out together. It will have to be good enough for them. It’s good enough for us, right?”
“Right,” I reply. He leans down, resting his forehead against mine.
“All I know is I’m happy when I’m with you. Things are easier.”
“Same.”
“Then we do what’s best for us.”
I nod, and he presses a soft, sweet kiss to my lips. I lose myself in the kiss for the shortest of moments. When we break apart, I cringe. “I really should get going. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Go. I’ll talk to you later, okay, sunshine?”
I nod my response, and get into my car a few moments later, waving to Jason as I drive away.
31
JASON
String lights are hung across the ceiling of my brewery, and flowers are placed on each table in mason jars. Josie and Fallon really did a beautiful job decorating, and my brewery is almost unrecognizable. We’ve greeted Marley and Beau with a loud cheer of “surprise” as they entered the room, and now they’re being passed around from person to person. They each have a baby carrier on their arm, and I can see the subtle glint of the ring on Marley’s finger.
I’ve barely seen Fallon tonight, she’s been running around making sure everything has been in order since she arrived hours ago. Presley and Lennie are around here somewhere, coloring with Lennie’s stash of crayons and coloring pages she keeps here. I was able to help Fallon get things set up, and hoped I’d be able to talk with her more, but so far, no luck. I want to check in and spend some time with her.
I swing by the bar and have Laila pour me two glasses of Marley’s favorite ale before I head over to my brother and his new fiancé. I greet them with hugs and congratulations,and then say hi to my niece and nephew. Their little brown eyes are both wide as they look around the room, taking in all the loud noises and new faces. They seem to be taking it in stride though, and haven’t let out a peep of noise.
Now that they have drinks, I make my way through the crowd. I want to find Fallon, and check in with her. I've been stopped a few times by various people, but not for long. Once I reach a corner booth, I spot Lennie and Presley.
“Hey girls,” I say, sitting down briefly. I kiss Len’s forehead, pulling her in for a quick hug.
“Hi, Daddy,” Lennie says. “Do you like my picture?” She holds up her coloring book so I can see the page. On it, is a princess holding a cat, while sitting on a fancy bench. She’s wearing a poofy dress, and a crown. Lennie is not the best at staying in the lines quite yet, so there’s scribbles all over the page.
“Beautiful, sweetie,” I tell her. “We’ll have to put that one in my office.”
“Look at mine, Jason,” Presley pleads. “It’s a cat playing with a ball of yarn.”
“Wow.” I’d never admit it out loud, and especially not in front of my daughter, but Presley’s really good at coloring. She stays in the lines, and even has some shading going on, giving the cat more dimension and color. “Yours is beautiful, too, Pres.”
“Thank you,” she replies. “Can we hang it in your office next to Lennie’s?”
“Absolutely. Have you seen your mom?”
She shakes her head. “Nope.”
“Okay, thanks. Keep coloring girls, we can hang all your pages in my office if you want.” I stand from the booth and head to one of the back rooms, still searching for Fallon.After a few minutes and no luck, I start to head out into the main room again.
I stop when I see movement in my office. The door is barely cracked, and I can see Fallon’s leg as she bounces it up and down. I open the door, finding her sitting in my chair, her head in her hands as she leans over the desk.
“Hey,” I say softly, hoping I don’t scare her. “What’s wrong?”
She jerks her head up, and her face is void of color and emotion. It’s something I’ve never seen on her before, and it’s freaking me out. Fallon leans back into the chair, trying to wave me off. “I’m fine. Needed a minute.”
