“Yeah. Us.” He turns to face me. “Sloane, I know this is fast. I know we barely know each other. But I also know that I want you in my life. In my home. Building a future together. If that’s what you want, too.”
“It is.” I don’t hesitate. “That’s exactly what I want.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
He kisses me again, and it feels like a promise. Like a beginning.
We’re standing there in the snow, wrapped around each other, when I hear vehicles pulling up the driveway.
“That’ll be my family,” Jax says. “Are you ready for this?”
“No. But let’s do it anyway.”
He grins. “That’s my girl.”
My girl. I like the sound of that.
23
SLOANE
We walk back to the house hand in hand, and I see two trucks pull up. People pile out, voices call out greetings, and then I see Riley’s car behind them.
“You really did invite them.”
“Told you. We’re doing this right.”
Riley and Maggie get out of the car, and Riley immediately wolf-whistles when she sees me and Jax holding hands.
“Look at you two,” she calls. “So cute I might vomit.”
Maggie smacks her arm, but she’s grinning too.
Jax’s family is staring at us with various expressions of curiosity and amusement.
“Everyone,” Jax announces, his arm around my waist. “This is Sloane. My girlfriend.”
Girlfriend.
The word makes my heart soar.
“And these are her people. Her sister Maggie and her best friend Riley.”
“Welcome.” A tiny woman who can only be his grandmother pushes through the crowd. “You must be the girl who’s had my grandson moping around for weeks. Get in here, let me look atyou.” She pulls me into a hug before I can respond, and she smells like cookies and perfume and home.
“She’s perfect,” she announces to everyone. “I approve.”
“You haven’t even talked to her yet, Grams,” one of Jax’s brothers says.
“Don’t need to. I can see it in her eyes. She loves him. That’s all that matters.” She pulls back and looks at me. “You do love him, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. Very much,” I answer.
“Good. Then come inside. All of you. It’s freezing out here, and I didn’t spend all day cooking for you to stand around in the snow.”
And just like that, we’re swept inside. Into warmth and noise and family and chaos. Jax’s mom hugs me and does cry. His dad shakes my hand firmly. Everett immediately goes to Riley, and I see the spark between them. His brothers all tease Jax mercilessly about finally bringing a girl home. Maggie fits right in, talking to Jax’s mom about the business and the town. And through it all, Jax keeps his hand in mine. Keeping me close. Making sure I feel included. Making sure I know I belong.
