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“I wish I knew, Kall, I really do. But hey, let’s not worry about that. It’s an adventure, at least that’s what I’ve told the girls. They are excited to see Sarah’s family.” What can I say? I just nod my head, and when Braden holds out his hand, I look behind me. Jax stands there with his arms crossed, watching over me like a hawk. He doesn’t know how to deal with me sad; it happens rarely, and I don’t think it’s happened at all since we’ve met.
Jax walks over to Braden and shakes his hand. “You need help with luggage?” Just then, Dawn comes barreling out of the house.
“Aunt Kal, I’m going on an airplane.” She runs at me, and I catch her and squeeze her tight. I cover her in kisses, choking down a sob. “Can you take my picture by the airplane?” I force a smile onto my face and kiss her chubby cheek.
“Of course, I will. You know you’re my favorite model. Now let’s get everything packed up so we can do our shoot.” She runs back into the house, and I stay squatting on the walkway, trying to keep my heart from shattering in a million pieces.
I feel strong arms wrap around me, and his chest against my back. “It’s okay to cry, Kallie. I’ll catch you when you start to fall, I promise you.” I turn my head and smile at Jax.
“I’m fine. Let’s help so they don’t miss their plane.” I pull out of his hold and go inside to help get the rest of the luggage.
“Aunt Kal, take one like this.” Their plane has been delayed by a half hour, and I’ve been snapping a ton of pictures of Dawn by the window with the planes behind her. I asked them all to get together for a shot, but conveniently, Sarah had to go to the bathroom. I took several of just Braden and the girls, loving how they look. After a few more of Dawn, we all sit down. Jax and Braden have been talking, and I’m so happy that they get along. It makes this decision so much easier.
“Oh my God. Jax Burke!” I turn my head, as does everyone, when we hear the squeals. Two women rush over, Jax looks at me, and I grin at him, lifting my shoulders. This is a part of the world we live in. He’s known, recognized, and it’s not something that bothers me. I’ve been on travel shoots where the models are hounded at the airport, not all the time, but when they do, I can’t help but laugh. They are grateful for the fans though and love making them smile with a few pictures. “Jax, can we please get a picture with you?” He gets up and goes to stand with them. They each take a picture with him and rush off giggling. He walks over to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“Why do they want your picture?” We look down at Dawn and I laugh.
“Jax is a model, and ladies like to take pictures with him.” She looks from me to him several times and grabs his hand.
“Can I have a picture now?” Oh, my heart can’t take it, and when he picks her up, it pretty much explodes. I hold up my camera and she looks at Jax. “Say cheese.” He laughs, and they both look at me and say cheese.
“Now boarding flight 251 to Charlotte, North Carolina.” I look over at Braden, and he gives me a tight smile. This is it. I need to say goodbye now. I take Dawn from Jax and squeeze her.
“You call me anytime, baby girl.” When I put her down, she runs off to Sarah. I follow and hug her and Tiffany. “Be good to my brother and nieces.” She lifts her eyebrow and stares at me.
“Why the hell wouldn’t I?” Okay, not going to go there. She’s miserable, and I refuse to argue with her. I simply squeeze her hand and move on to Braden. He hugs me so tight, and I hug him right back. Damn, this is hard.
“I’ll call you.” He kisses my cheek and walks off with this family toward the plane. Watching them walk away makes me realize a piece of me just left with them. They are starting to blur with the tears in my eyes, and that is when Jax wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“You alright?” I nod my head and the first of my tears spill. The longer we stand like this, the harder I start to cry. He finally turns me and holds me close. “Oh, Kallie, I’m so sorry.” He just holds on tight for what feels like hours. When I get myself under control, I lift my head off his chest, and he wipes my tears. “Come on, let me show you something.” Hand in hand, he leads me out of the airport.
“Jax, this is amazing.” He drove around the airport
to the pickup area for freight. It’s dark and there is no one else around. You can see the runway and every plane taking off and landing. It is stunning.
“Where do you think that plane is going?” I think about it for a second and lean back in my seat. We are in Braden’s minivan; it was the only way to get everyone to the airport.
“I think they are going to Hawaii.” He leans back in his seat and links our fingers together.
“Oh, Hawaii, I like that. What about that one?” I laugh and look over at him.
“Oregon.” He laughs and squeezes my hand.
“Creative.” We sit quietly for a long time just watching the planes take off and land. I’ve kicked my feet up onto the dashboard while he still has a hold of my hand.
“Where is the one place in the world you would go, if cost wasn’t an issue?”
“Fuji, it looks so awesome. What about you?” I laugh and watch another plane takeoff.
“I think it’s the typical girl answer, but Paris. I’ve always wanted to go and not just for the romance of it, but there is so much beauty there I would love to photograph.” He leans over and kisses me. I wrap my free hand around his neck and deepen the kiss. He uses his to rub my leg, and I feel my body begging to be touched all over, but all too soon, he breaks away.
“You’d make Paris even more beautiful, and I don’t even just mean with your pictures.” I smile and kiss him.
“Thank you, for everything today. I couldn’t have done it without you, and this, watching the planes, has been amazing.” He winks at me, and I’m so grateful that he knew exactly how to distract me from Braden leaving.
“You ready to get out of here?” I nod my head and he starts the van. “How about a late dinner, then some dessert at my place?” I giggle, but I’m totally down for exactly that. I could even skip dinner and go right for my dessert. I can’t explain all the emotions I’ve felt the last few days, but damn, when it comes to Jax, I don’t want to.
HAVING TO WAKE UP AT five o’clock this morning and leave Kallie sleeping naked in her bed was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I wanted to call Brody and tell him I wasn’t coming in because I had things to take care of, meaning make Kallie come over and over, but I need my job. I had to rush home and change before making it to the job just in time. I grab my tools out of the trunk and go into the house. “Well shit, haven’t seen much of you.” I shake my head at Blake and sit on top of my tool box.
