“Yeah. It’s like he can’t help but comment when you’re talking. When he’s at the farm, I forget he’s even there sometimes, he’s so quiet. But he’s always showing up to help out without Liam even having to ask. Liam has mentioned John was there for him after his mom passed when they were kids, and I don’t think he ever really stopped being there for him. He just shows up in his own quiet way.”
“Huh, that’s cool.” I don’t really know what else to say; there’s just something about John that feels like a challenge. He’s got all these walls up that are begging for me to tear them down. I know he has Liam and, by extension, Blake, but I want to be his friend too. And if he’s already more outgoing around me, that has to be a good sign, right?
This weekend is officially about more than just celebrating Blake and Liam. I’m going to win John over and see the good, kind, caring guy hiding behind his gruff exterior for myself.
John, I hope you’re ready for a new best friend.
3
KIERAN
“Ican’t believe we’re flying first class.” Jace is beaming next to me as the flight attendant hands us champagne. He cradles the glass in his big palms like he’s going to savor it forever. “This is, like, movie rich,” he whispers even though no one is paying attention to us.
I bite back a smile and lean closer. “Hot shot, you’re allowed to enjoy it out loud. They’re not going to drag you back to coach if you act too excited.”
His cheeks flush a little as he grins. “I just… other than for the show, I only flew one time. I walked past the people up here, but I never thought I’d be one of them.”
“You do realize that we have money, and we live by a giant airport, right? You can sit in the big seat and drink the free bubbles whenever you want,” I reassure him with a soft smile.
“Yeah, but that’s your money. I don’t actually need allthis to be happy,” he dismisses, gesturing around at our fancy seats.
Shit. Does he seriously still think of our lives as that separate? We’ve been married for months. I added him to all my accounts, but to be honest, I haven’t looked all that closely at whether he was using them. I just pay off whatever’s due at the end of the month since Jace taking advantage and overspending has never been a concern of mine.
“Babe, we’re married. That’sourmoney. I told you that when I added you to my bank accounts. Have you not been spending any of it?”
He bites the corner of his thumb nail as his cheeks darken. “Well, I do use those cards when I get stuff for the house and groceries. But I still have savings from all the overtime I used to do, and it’s not like I contribute to rent. I don’t like feeling like I’m taking advantage of you by buying things I don’t need.”
I reach up to pull his hand away from his mouth, gently squeezing it and placing it on his thigh between us. “Jace, when I said I wanted to marry you for real, I meant it. All of it. I know you’re not with me because of my money, and I know you’d still want to be with me if I didn’t have it. You’re my partner, equally.”
“So what’s yours is really mine?” he asks lightly, like he’s going for a teasing tone, but there’s a vulnerability in his expression that I haven’t seen in a while.
I arch a brow. “Of course. I love you. I know you don’t need my money, but if there’s something that can make you as happy as you looked when we got on thisplane, I want to be the one giving it to you. Anything you want.”
“I love you too, baby.” He squeezes my hand back, not letting go of that connection as he reaches for his glass with his other hand.
“Also, is this really only the third time you’ve been in a plane?”
Jace takes a small sip of his champagne and nods at me. “Yeah, I worked so much I never really went anywhere. Joey and Patrick took me with them on their vacation once to Mexico, though, so I do have a passport.”
I nod, already thinking of all the places I want to take him. When we get back, I want to start planning the trip of a lifetime, to take Jace anywhere he wants to go, everywhere.
“I still can’t believe they’ll also be in Vegas this weekend,” I comment.
“Right? What are the odds Blake would pick the same time and place as the anniversary trip they already had planned.”
“Small world,” I agree.
“Blake and Chad loved hanging out with them at my birthday thing, so I told them Joey and Patrick would also be in Vegas this weekend, and they begged me to invite them out with us. It sounds like they have a lot planned though, so I’m not sure it’ll work out,” Jace adds.
“I hope it does. You know I love spending time with them.”
“Me too.” Jace smiles warmly at me for a momentbefore looking around. “Do they give you snacks up here?”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Yes, don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll be back soon with some snacks.”
He smiles and leans in for a kiss.
God, I love this man. Sometimes it’s hard to remember how close I was to missing out on all of this when I was so hung up on the past. I’m so glad we made it here eventually. “I was thinking. We never did go on a honeymoon. After the show, we were so wrapped up in moving you in and adjusting to our new life together. Now that you quit your job…” I give his thigh a squeeze. “Let’s fix it.”
