“You’re an incredible woman, Audrey, and I want everyone to know how insanely lucky I feel to be with you. I want to be there next to you as you accomplish brilliant things. I want to help you accomplish them. Although, I promise only to help when you want me, too. It turns out I have some issues with fixing other people’s problems for them.” He offered me a small smile, which I returned, knowing that while things weren’t going to be perfect—I’d still want to take care of my own problems, and Jackson would still want to solve them for me—we would have each other.
“And I never should have thrown your ex in your face like that. I was hurting, but that’s no excuse.”
My focus narrowed to the caress of his thumb across my knuckles and the quiet emotion in his voice. The light sharpened the shadows of his cheekbones, making him look otherworldly. But beyond how handsome he was, I loved how generous, caring, and thoughtful he was.
“I want you to know what I was scared of. I have been terrified that I couldn’t be the man you need, the man Iwantto be for you.”
My lips pursed in regret, aching to take back the hurtful words I’d carelessly thrown at him when we’d fought.
“I shouldn’t have let you walk out that night, but I’m almost glad you did because it made me realize I never want to let you go again.”
Instinctively at his words, I tightened my grip on his hand. I didn’t plan on letting him go anywhere. “I can’t believe I ever made you question how I feel about you. I love you, Jackson. I should have told you as soon as I knew.”
“I wanted to. At the wedding. I thought it would scare you off.”
“To be honest, it probably would have. But I would have wanted to say it back.”
Jackson leaned in, lifted our hands to his lips. “I’m sorry if I ever pushed you too fast.”
“You didn’t.”
He challenged me with a look, and my cheeks flushed with a familiar heat. The last aches of tension seeped away, knowing we had gotten over the worst of it. He was here; he wasn’t going anywhere; we could work this out.
I couldn’t contain my smile. “Ok, maybe a little. But I wanted you to. I needed the push. I know I’m not that great at opening up, but I promise I want to be honest with you. When I’m with you, I feel more like myself than I ever have before. You’ve let me just be me, and I never thought I would find that.”
Jackson’s focus on me was intense and unwavering. “I still don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
I swallowed against the rise of emotion, blinking in the low light. “You don’t have to do anything. I just want you.”
He opened his mouth to speak, paused, then continued. “I’ve spent a long time believing that I needed to be ready, that I needed to have enough to offer someone else. More than just myself. But I didn’t think about what I wanted in a relationship, and I know now that I don’t want something one-sided. I want a partner.”
“I want that, too.” More than anything.
I opened my hand to cup his cheek, and he turned to kiss my palm. “I want to make this work. But I can’t promise you I know what the hell I’m doing.”
A choked snort escaped me. “I think it’s fairly obvious I’m not an expert either.”
“So we work it out together.”
“I’d like that.”
Our eyes locked, and I felt lighter as I released a heavy breath. God, I was so lucky. I might never stop feeling grateful for this gift. For this man.
I lost track of how long we spent just taking each other in, but eventually, he smirked. “Sarah obviously helped you set this up.”
“If it makes you feel any better about it, she promised to track me down if I hurt you again.”
He laughed, and it was the best sound I’d ever heard. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to hear it again.
“So what now?”
As if on cue, my stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten in hours. I’d been too nervous earlier. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. I’ve been waiting here a while.”
“Nervous?”
“I was either going to pass out or puke.”
Another laugh. “And now?”
