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“Even if you knew you didn’t mean it? You didn’t actually want it?”
This is a serious point for Zoey. I can tell. She says it forcefully, knowing it has to be true. We can’t exist in a place where her mother is attracted to me.
“I never wanted it,” Mallory says, “but after that, every time I saw him, it reminded me of my mistake. My betrayal. So I asked him to stay away, and, like Jaxson always does, he did the right thing.”
I wonder if that last part is a subtle dig. Is itthe right thingto seduce her daughter? Then I read the message in her eyes, and I know she’s being sincere.
“It would’ve been so simple for you to tell her,” Mallory says, “especially when you started… dating? Is that the right word?”
“Obsessingmight be better,” I mutter. “I never believed in fate or love at first sight until I met Zoey. Well, not met her. Met theadultversion of her.”
Zoey gasps, gaping at me. I realize what I’ve said. Love at first sight. It’s true, and I don’t take it back.
“I never believed in it either,” she murmurs, “but I do now.”
“I can’t pretend to be able to explain this,” I go on. “We haven’t been with each other for a long time, but we don’t need to be.”
“No,” Zoey says firmly. “I know, deep down, how I feel about you, Jax. I know we’re going to be together forever. I know we’ll have a family, a future, a home… unless you ask us to stop, Mom.”
“Could you?” Mallory asks bluntly.
“No,” I say, causing my woman to flinch. I shrug and press on. “I think we’d give it our best shot. Recently, we did just that—a week of no contact. It was the most miserable week of my life.”
“Mine too,” Zoey whispers, “but I’d be miserable if I betrayed you, Mom. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
“Promise me you’ll always put her first,” Mallory says, staring hard at me, suddenly a mother bear.
It fills me with odd pride, almost like I’m borrowing from the future. It’s a preview of what Zoey will look like when we have our family, the same protective mother-bear energy she’ll bring to the role.
“I swear,” I say. “Making her happy is my only goal. Protecting her. Caring for her.”
“And you, Zoey. Do you understand what you’re getting yourself involved with here? I can tell Jaxson is serious. This is forever. You’re so young.”
“I’m not too young to choose the path my life is going to take. I’ve never wanted to date,play the field, or any of that. I never thought I’d find anybody, but with Jax, I belong, Mom. I have a place. We fit together so perfectly, and now that I know nothing happened between you two, nothing is standing in our way.”
“Except me,” Mallory says.
Tension fills the room. It’s thick, the sort people cut with a knife. My editor advises avoiding phrases like that, anything that reeks of a cliché, but in this instance, it’s true.
Finally, Mallory smiles. “I can’t stand in your way. I’d have to be willfully ignorant to ignore the love you two clearly share. Jaxson, as for Luke… I think he would understand. He would approve as long as you keep your word by caring and providing for her and loving her. He often talked about hoping Zoey would find a husband who would treat her right. Who better than this best friend?”
Zoey seems suddenly giddy, her foot tapping as if she’s struggling to sit still.
“Mom, are you saying…”
Mallory’s smile widens. “I’m not going to stand in your way. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy.”
Zoey beams at me, and I smile right back. Finally, we can be together without worrying about everything blowing up.
CHAPTER25
Zoey
I’ve got good news,Jax’s text reads.They arrested Axel on assault and robbery charges. Apparently, after our dustup outside your house last week, he went on a bender and caused a lot of problems for himself. He won’t be bothering you or your mom anytime soon.
I grin as I read his text, feeling Natasha’s eyes on me from the other side of the desk. We’re in our usual spot, but nothing feels usual about life in general. These past six days have been the sweetest of my life, spending so much time at Jax’s place, making love and having wild sex—sometimes we’re slow, sometimes we’re frantic—and talking books together.
We reviewed my notes, and each one was constructive, adding to my writing ability with Jax’s valuable and accurate insights.
