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“I…” I couldn’t think of anything to say, then I sighed. “Did she buy it?”
“I think so,” Jax groaned. “Fuck. I’m so sorry I’ve put you in this position. It’ll be forgotten quickly I promise, I just…” As he fell silent, searching for words, I found myself nodding.
“I understand, in a way. Having bad things in the past shouldn’t define how you move forward, and when someone pops up intent on dragging you back as if you haven’t changed…” The similarities between Marina and Felix cut closer to home than I’d like.
“Yeah… exactly. Plus… if she somehow did find out that we’ve slept together then she absolutely will make sure that ruins my custody attempts.”
“Does that mean we can’t do it again?” I joked softly. “What a short engagement this will be.”
“I didn’t say that,” Jax smiled, and finally some light reignited in his eyes. “I am sorry.”
“I believe you. I guess I should prepare some amazing tale if I ever run into her again.” Which was likely if she was attending the same party. “I’m surprised though. When you told me you were a bad boy, I had pictured a fight here and there. Was it more than that?”
“Nothing I’m proud of,” Jax said softly. “I did some bad things, found peace at the bottom of a bottle. Things like that. I’ve worked my ass off to change my life, to make things right, but all it takes is one wrong thing. I’ve made sure nothing like that will ever be around Bonnie.”
Felix flashed in my mind again, and I set the bottle down, determined. “Alright, well if I’m your fiancée now, we should agree on one thing?”
“What’s that?”
“Who asked who?”
“Oh, I definitely asked you.” Jax approached slowly, his face relaxing. “Have you seen yourself? You look absolutely beautiful in that dress.”
The dress! I’d forgotten all about that. As Jax reached me and slid an arm around my waist, I patted his chest lightly.
“It works then?”
“Oh yes.” Jax leaned in close, and the spice of his aftershave tickled my nose. “If I can’t keep my hands off you, it’ll certainly make things more believable.” His lips brushed my cheek and I laughed, then plucked at his checked shirt.
“You’re going dressed like this?”
“Shit.” Jax pulled away and glanced down. “Maybe not the best idea.”
* * *
After changing,Jax escorted me down to the resort, and we made our way toward one of the ballroom suites. While a few swigs of beer had calmed my initial panic, as I entered the ballroom, my nerves came cascading back. The place was beautiful, larger than I could see at a single glance. The lights were low and crystal chandeliers glittered above like painted stars. The tables dotted around the room were covered in white silk table clothes and adorned with festive ribbons and wreathes, complete with champagne bottles and gold utensils. Each corner had a massive Christmas tree, and glittering streamers danced across the room, moving in the heat.
It was stunning, and at the far end of the crowd, I glimpsed the Helix logo.
“You look amazing!” Theo appeared beside us, and he pressed a warm kiss to my cheek. “I knew you’d pick the red one.”
“Oh, was there a debate?” I chuckled, and Luke pressed a cool glass of champagne into my hand.
“A heated one,” Luke grinned. “Although I hear congratulations are in order?”
My heart sank and Jax groaned. “Oh no.”
“She’s telling everyone,” Theo said softly. “I’m sorry, Jax.”
“It’s fine. It’s my mistake,” Jax sighed. He stroked my lower back and murmured another apology before he stepped away. “I better do some damage control.” With that, he vanished into the crowd, and my heart settled low in my gut.
“So,” Luke grinned, “what does he have that we don’t?”
“Such a fast engagement,” Theo teased, “I’m jealous.”
“Well, it was his maniac ex-wife that really sealed the deal.” I drained my glass in a few seconds. “There’s nothing like it.”
“Well, there goes my chances.” Theo sighed dramatically and began leading the way to our table.
