He’s wearing a shirt and suit pants that look brand-new and expensive.
I bring my tear-filled eyes back to his face and he gazes at me.
“No more brown, New York City,” he says.
I stroke his temple, searching his shimmering blue eyes. They crease at the corners and his mouth curls into a soft smile.
The sight floors me.
“I always liked the blue best, Cowboy,” I whisper back.
He crushes his lips to mine. “Fuck, Jude. I missed you. I wanted to get to you sooner. I didn’t even know your number. I’m so sorry.”
Tears stream down my cheeks as I kiss him back.
“It’s okay. I’m okay. Are you okay?”
He kisses me harder. “I’m okay.”
I wilt in relief, crying into our kiss.
He brushes the loose strands of hair from my face with a warm hand, the other cradling my ass as I cling to him. His eyes soften as he thumbs away a tear from my cheek.
“Don’t cry, Baby. It’s all going to be okay.”
But the tiny pinch at the corners of his eyes, accompanied by the way his jaw clenches as someone calls his name has me searching his face for answers.
“Slade. What’s?—?”
“It’s okay,” he repeats, setting me down on my feet, before wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into his side.
I turn and take in the room properly.
The man from outside the store who read out the press release is standing talking to Denver and two other men in dark suits. He beckons Slade over, calling out his name again.
“Give them a minute,” a handsome older man says, walking over to us.
His eyes are the same blue as Slade’s, and they’re full of warmth as he smiles at me.
“Jude? My son’s told me about you. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Sterling.”
My hand is enveloped in a large, firm grip as he shakes it. He’s barely let go when I’m swept into a hug.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” the woman hugging me announces. Her belly presses into me and as she pulls back, she rests her hand on it, rubbing it lovingly. “Sorry, I always forget how hard it is to hug with this little one squished in the middle. I’m Halliday,” she adds.
“Hi,” I utter in bewilderment.
Sterling places his hand beneath hers and strokes her bump with his thumb. The move is so natural and quietly protective. I can imagine Slade being the same. The thought comes from nowhere and I glance at him as if he can read my mind.
But he’s too busy looking at his father as Sterling turns and addresses the room.
“Everyone, this is Jude. Slade’s…”
“Girlfriend,” Slade says. “She’s my girlfriend.”
This time when I snap my eyes up, he’s looking back at me with a glint. We’ve never labeled what we are to one another. Until now.
Denver nods in my direction, along with the man from the store. And the two other men they’re with both raise a hand.
