With another kiss to my temple, Jasper sighs. “I want to meet them as soon as you’re ready. So you just say the word, baby boy. I’ll be here with bells on. I can’t wait to meet them.”
My stomach flips. “Okay,” I whisper.
I close my eyes, relaxing deeper into Jasper’s embrace, and it’s not long before I’m dozing in his arms while he plays with my hair.
ThesecondMaryannepullsout of the driveway, I call Salem.
He answers on the third ring. “Hey, Arlo.”
“I’m coming to get you and Nora in two days,” I blurt out.
There’s silence for a second, and then, “Really?”
I nod frantically, even though he can’t see me. “Yes, really. I just got the all-clear from Maryanne.”
“What time?” Salem asks, excitement rising in his voice.
“I’ll be driving in tomorrow night and getting a hotel. Maryanne is going to pick Nora up and then you, and I’m meeting you all at her office at noon.”
“Arlo,” Salem says, his voice cracking a little.
“It’s okay, kid,” I whisper, my throat aching. “We’ll all be together again soon, okay?”
It took me far longer than I wanted it to. It was harder than I thought it would be. But it’s worth it. I get the kidsandJasper. I get to have everything.
How fucking lucky am I?
Chapter 10
Jasper
“Whattimeareyouplanning on leaving?”
Arlo stretches out in my bed, arms raised above his head and his beautiful face squinted up as he stretches. “Dunno. Like five, I think. I’m gonna run to the grocery store and stock up on things, then pack a bag and make sure everything is ready to go.”
I open my drawer, pulling out a pair of boxers.
“This is unfair, you know?”
“What is?” I ask, stepping into them.
Arlo waves a hand around. “You.”
“Me?” I ask. “What did I do?”
Sitting up, the blanket pooling around his waist, Arlo drags his eyes from my face and down slowly. “You look like that, and you’re leaving.”
I nod solemnly. “Ah, yes. Dreaded work.”
“You get it.”
Shaking my head with a laugh, I pull on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. “If anything, it’s unfair for me. Not of me.”
Arlo’s nose scrunches. “What do you mean?”
I step closer to the bed, leaning over before pressing my lips to his in a quick kiss. “You’re stretched out naked in my bed, and I have to leave. That’s the unfair thing.”
“Yeah, you might be right.” Arlo throws the blanket off himself, then moves until he’s sitting at the edge of my bed. “Things are about to change in a really big way, huh?”
