Morgan wraps her arms around me from behind, nestling her lips against my neck.
“Baby, don’t worry. It’s all going to be just fine. I’ve got you. I’ve got you forever.”
I take a deep breath, letting the words sink in. And as I exhale, all the worry floats away.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Chapter 51
JAMIE
Seagulls caw over the bay, cutting across a sky of deep azure. The midsummer sun casts golden rays, soothed by the brisk harbor breeze.
It’s illuminating to watch Morgan work her magic on someone else. She’s got Mom eating out of the palm of her hand on the deck of the super bribery yacht as she puts on a contrite expression and apologizes deeply for the secrecy, emphasizing just how distraught I was to not be able to tell her.
“These things are complicated with a publicly traded company,” Morgan explains. “I apologize again for the secrecy.”
“Oh, it’snoproblem, I’m just sohappyfor you two!” Mom absolutely beams, gripping my hand tight enough to crush my bones as I hand her a tissue for the tears welling in her eyes.
“And I know it seems sudden…” Morgan offers.
“But sometimes you justknow,” Mom says, and she looks at me. And I see in her eyes that she gets it. “I…” She takes a long drink of her champagne. “A long time ago, Ijust knew. And even though things didn’t work out with Jamie’s father… that decision brought Jamie into my life. And I wouldn’t go back and changethat decision, not in a million years.”
“Oh, Mom…” I throw my arms around her, hugging her tight.
“You are the best thing that ever happened to me.” She squeezes back, and when she finally lets go, we both wipe away our tears. “So, trust your instincts. Things may not turn out how you expect, but… they’ll be good. They’ll bereallygood.”
#
MORGAN
That night, we sit on the cheap couch in Jamie’s apartment, his two cats running in excited circles now that they’ve had their dinner. Jamie’s in my lap, and I run my fingers through his copper hair.
I can’t get enough of his scent. Not only the jasmine and vanilla and sandalwood, or the allspice and cloves of his arousal, but also the lingering coconut of his conditioner, the subtle fresh linen of his favorite detergent, the hint of champagne clinging to his breath. Every little molecule is perfect.
“Thanks for being so good with Mom,” he says. “She really likes you. She sent me, like, ten texts about it.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Do I get to meet your parents?”
“Eventually. But I’m afraid that won’t be an enjoyable dinner for anyone. They’ll be much less subtle than your mother about asking for kids.”
Jamie looks surprised. “Did she?”
I raise a brow at him. “The thing about how things will work out.”
“Oh, I guess you could take it that way. But she—we’ve talked about it before. She didn’t mean, like, in any specific way.”
“Do you want kids?” I ask, keeping my tone precisely casual.
Jamie considers for a long moment. “I… I don’t thinkso. I mean, I’m not totally closed to it, but… I saw… I saw how hard it was for my mom. And I know she still feels guilty about… about how much I shouldered then. So I think I’d have to be… a hundred and fifty percent into it. Like, absolutely fully committed. And I’m just… not. Yet. Maybe… ever.” He lets out a sigh. “Look at that, I formed a whole opinion before begging you to tell me whatyouwant.”
“I’m so proud of you,” I tease, ruffling his hair.
“So… do you? Want kids?”
“No,” I say simply.
