“I know you care about him,” Catherine says finally. “The question is—are you brave enough to do something about it?”
Before Sara can answer, the familiar sound of tires crunching gravel rolls in like thunder. Jaxon’s truck. Jaqueline’s laughter filters through the open window like a song she hasn’t heard in years.
Catherine stands up, brushing the wrinkles out of her jeans. “You don’t have to tell me now. But think about what I said. Because I told him the same thing—be selfish. For once in your life, go after what you want.”
She pauses at the door and glances back over her shoulder.
“You two drive each other crazy. That’ll either ruin you… or it’ll be the kind of love most people only get once. If they’re lucky.”
And with that, she walks inside—leaving Sara on the porch, alone with her thoughts, her silence, and a heart that suddenly feels like it’s burning from the inside out.
The pizza disappears slice by slice. Jaqueline eats three like she hasn’t had a meal in days, leaving behind a trail of half-eaten crusts as evidence.
After dinner, the four head down to the dock. Catherine and Sara slip into conversation while Jaxon is left to watch.
“Damn, did all three of y’all forget about me?” Jaxon asks.
“Not at all,” Sara teases. “We’re just talking.”
“What about you, Jaq?”
“No, Daddy. Just girl stuff,” she says while curled up in Catherine’s lap.
The group erupts in laughter.
Jaxon watches them, his chest heavy and full all at once. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. A family. But as much as he tries to stay present, his mind won’t stop whispering. This isn’t real. Sara isn’t mine. She’ll go back home soon. She’s just the woman raising his daughter. That’s it.
Sara gives him a look—one of those silent, gut-punching looks—like she knows exactly what he’s thinking.
“Jaxon, after all these years, I still can’t believe you have this place,” Catherine says, looking out toward the water.
“I know, sis. I think about it every day. It’s a big change from the high-rise in Charlotte.”
“That never suited you. You were never meant for a big city. You were made to wake up to this.”
Sara looks toward the sound, her heart hitching. Those words cut deep.
She remembers a year ago—thinking about opening another catering location, trying to chase a future somewhere new. Then Claire got sick. And everything stopped.
“Sara?” Jaxon says.
“I’m sorry, I was just thinking. What did I miss?”
“I was asking if Jaxon ever told you about his old apartment?” Catherine teases.
“No, he hasn’tsaid anything.”
“Oh, it was beautiful. Downtown. A few blocks from the stadium. He used to take us to games sometimes.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It was… but the traffic was a nightmare.”
“I bet. I’ve only been to Charlotte a few times for conferences. I enjoyed it, but I’ll say this—I like this better than a high-rise.”
“I like this girl, Jaxon,” Catherine says as she stands up. “Try to keep her around.”
“She’s not subtle about anything.”
