Page 141 of First in Line

“I don’t think making love to your wife counts as such.”

“Oh, but it’s very important. Ihaveto show the mother of my unborn child how much I love her.”

Grazing the side of his face, I bring my lips close to his and whisper, “Oh, she knows.” I almost kiss him, but stop right by his mouth to add, “But she could definitely use a reminder.”

We’re both grinding when our mouths come together in a loving, intense kiss.

Yes, it’s too soon for a baby. We didn’t plan on this. Not for another few years. The reasonable thing would probably be to wait until we’ve gotten used to this new life, to his demanding schedule, and then try again. But there’s nothing we can’t do when we’re together, no challenge we can’t face. By this man’s side, I feel invincible.

And although I didn’t grow up with a good role model, I know I can be a good mom.

I will be agreatmom.

“Another slice?” Jada offers, pointing at her delicious pecan pie.

“God, no. I’m stuffed full. Everything was delicious,” I answer.

I lean back into my chair, and Jax rests a hand on my thigh, over the thin fabric of my dress. We’re at his parents’ house, where we just had an incredible and gargantuan dinner. Jax has an early flight back to Belgium tomorrow, from the Denver airport, so we’re staying the night. In the morning, I’ll drive him to his flight and then go home.

From the moment he told them we were giving our relationship another chance, they’ve been begging us to come visit. That’s why when Jax came back from Silverstone, after winning another race, we arranged this little dinner.

Jada and Mitch have always had a special place in my heart, even now, so many years after I last saw them. Seeing them again earlier brought so many emotions back to the surface thatI silently cried as they both hugged me. Before them, I didn’t have a good example to live by. My father was gone soon after I was born, and my mother was never the most involved parent. But they were.

Their finances didn’t allow them to help much with Jax’s racing ambitions, but they helped in any other way they could. He was the one, actually, who decided not to add the straining cost of his dream to their struggles. That’s why he worked so hard to pay for everything by himself. And I helped as much as I could. But they watched his races, encouraged him to keep going, and supported him in any way they could. Even later on, after we’d moved to Belgium, they were still there for him. For us. Jada even spent several weeks with us when I was pregnant, to keep me company while Jax was off for his second season of Formula 2.

Meeting them was a defining moment for me, especially since they welcomed me into the family like a daughter. Not only were they the kind of parents I wished I’d had but also the kind I wished to become one day.

When no one accepts her offer of more pie, we begin clearing the table. Jada and I end up organizing things in the kitchen while Jax and his dad walk back and forth to the table and bring everything to us.

“I’ll put some of everything aside, so you can take it with you when you leave tomorrow,” she decides.

“Jada, you really don’t have to.”

“I insist. But you’ll have to bring me back my containers next time you’re in Denver.”

Clever woman. She’s ensuring I’ll visit again soon. “I promise I will,” I say, accepting her kind offer.

Because his mom loves cooking so much, Jax made sure to get his parents a house that had a great kitchen. It’s spacious,well-arranged, and definitely a huge upgrade compared to the small one from his childhood home.

Because in the Reyes household, the men are in charge of the dishes, Jax and his dad settle by the sink once they’ve brought back everything. Together, they rinse the plates and load the dishwasher while Jada and I finish handling the leftovers.

With all four of us working on it, the kitchen is spotless in under ten minutes. We look back at our well-done job for a moment, then Mitchell asks, “Who’s up for a game of Clue? Like old times. We just got the Spider-Man edition.”

“Is that a thing?” I amusedly wonder.

“We found it at a yard sale,” Jada explains. “And since it’s Jackson’s favorite superhero…”

“When I was eight,” her son interjects. “Though I stand by my choice.”

“So, who’s up for a round or two?” Mitchell insists.

“Maybe another time,” Jax politely declines. “We have to wake up early tomorrow for my flight.”

“Right. I’ll come to your room with you. To make sure you have everything you need,” Jada offers.

“Wait, I need to show something to Jax.”

“Well, I’ll go with Evie.”