‘I know, sweetheart. Believe me, I know.’ He presses a fleeting kiss to my temple. ‘Would it help if I told you I donated over six million dollars to charity this year?’
Thick, dark eyebrows furrow, and he hesitates for a split second like he wants to say something but can’t find the words. Meanwhile, I’m still digesting the six million dollar part. It’s easy to forget Nate’s financial status when he’s so grounded.
‘You know I used to be an addict, right?’ He rolls his lips, eyeing me with a newfound caution, like I’m going to go running for the hills.
I reach for his hand and thread his fingers between mine. ‘It is a matter of public record.’ Is this the point where I admit to obsessively googling him?
‘And it doesn’t bother you?’ Nate’s eyes search mine.
‘What part of “I love you” and “I’ve been obsessed with you for years” did you not pick up on in the weeks we’ve known each other?’ I tease, rocking back on my heels to gaze up at him.
‘The six million went to American Addicts Support Society the charity that helped me. Next year, you can pick. Any charity of your choice.’ His lips hover millimetres from mine. ‘I know you value your independence, but you’re mine, and I will spoil every inch of you because you deserve it. I’m buying you the dress. I don’t want to hear another word about it.’
I didn’t think it was possible to love this man any more.
‘Can I help you?’ A sales assistant approaches from behind, wearing a tailored navy suit and name badge that says, ‘Cindy’.
‘We’ll take this dress, please.’ Nate casually flicks his wrist at the Rebecca Vallance dress. ‘And we’re going to need shoes and lingerie to go with it.’
This man absolutely ruins me.
Let’s just hope he’s not going to be the ruinofme.
As we leave Brown Thomas half an hour later, laden down with elaborately wrapped, boxed, and bagged goods, I scan the store for some sort of inspiration for a Christmas gift for Nate. What can I buy the man who not only has everything, but gives me everything?
Later that night, we’re gathered around Nate’s parents’ rectangular dinner table with two of his sisters, Natalie and Ava, who both landed like a grenade into their parent’s house, in an explosion of noise, laughter, discarded handbags and high-heeled shoes. It really will be bedlam when his other two sisters arrive with their children.
Nate is the middle child. Faith and Stella are both older and married with kids. Natalie and Ava are both younger, and from what I can gather, both single.
The Jackson warmth appears to radiate through the entire family, from what I’ve experienced so far. Each of them greeted me with heartfelt hugs and kisses.
Natalie and Ava are currently arguing over who is hotter, Channing Tatum, or Tom Hardy.
‘Channing has a better body,’ Natalie declares, spearing a piece of steak with her fork before thrusting it into the air to emphasise her point. ‘I mean, did you seeMagic Mikethree?’
Ava shakes her purple-tinged curls aggressively, speaking through a mouthful of buttery potatoes. ‘No. Have to disagree. Tom Hardy is the full package. And that accent? Just dreamy.’ A small hum of appreciation vibrates from her lips.
Nate’s sisters share the same dark glossy hair as him, but where Nate has green eyes like his mother, the girls have their father’s brown eyes.
‘Don’t talk with your mouth full,’ Penny scolds, shooting Ava a look of mocking disapproval.
Ava swallows hard, glances pointedly at her mother and pokes her tongue out.
‘And you wonder why you’re still single?’ Nate teases his sister affectionately.
‘I just haven’t met the right one yet,’ Ava declares, straightening her spine.
‘She met plenty of wrong ones, though.’ Frank reaches for the salt, shaking his head in despair. ‘The last guy she brought home still had a prison tag on his ankle.’
Ava’s nostrils flare. ‘How was I to know? He didn’t mention that on his sign-up form. Besides, it was an open prison. And it wasn’t as if he was a proper criminal. He was a climate activist who’d broken into a Marks and Spencer food court and poured milk all over the floor.’ Ava stabs her meat forcefully.
‘Oh, well, gee, that’s okay then.’ Nate’s sarcastic tone is lost on none of us. ‘You should seriously update your sign-up form.’
‘Sign-up form?’ I havesomany questions.
Nate jerks his head towards me, slipping his hand on my thigh beneath the table. ‘Ava’s latest business venture is a dating agency, HeartSync.’ Those gorgeous, full lips curl up in a smirk. ‘But how she can take people’s money to set them up, when she can’t even find herself a date, is beyond me.’
‘I can get a date.’ Ava scrunches her button nose. ‘I’m just very particular.’
