Page 270 of A Song for You

I press my hand to his cheek, and he leans into my touch.

“Then what?”

“I don’t think I can save the merger.” I drop my hand to my lap. “I’ve cost you everything, and I’m drowning trying to balance that with Jolie and our family. And don’t even get me started on my family.” Pressing my lips together, I take in a long breath through my nose to keep my tears at bay. “My brother had a baby, and we haven’t spoken. Hopie is a dream. Thank God I’ve had the chance to meet her. But my brother and I have no relationship. I don’t know how to wrap my head around it all.”

Jay closes his eyes and rubs at his forehead. When he looks at me again, his irises are darker, almost gray, and angry.

“Have I not shown you over the last year and a half that everything I do is for you?” he whispers. “I killed my own father. You think I give a fuck about his company going under? I already handed it over to my brothers. I gave it up long ago. You should too.”

“You what?”

“I refuse to spend the rest of my life fighting with your brothers,” Jay says, as if the explanation is simple.

“But—”

“They’re Chloe’s uncles. They’re your family. I’d do anything to give you the family we never had. Even give up my own,” he says, his voice softer now.

“But they did this to you. To us…”

“And I’m doing this for you. For us. Don’t you get it? Nothing in this world matters more to me than my two girls. Nothing. So give me your stress, wife. Give me your anxiety. Don’t hold it all in and resent me. Don’t stay at work late trying to fix the unfixable. Don’t miss out on this life we’ve battled for because of a meaningless brick building and some alcohol. It’s not worth it. We are worth it.”

“Why are you so perfect?” I whisper as a tear slips down the stony mask I’ve been fighting to keep in place.

Jay gives me a soft smile. “I’m not perfect, baby. But I am perfect for you.”

“You really gave up your interest in the company?”

Jay chuckles. “Don’t worry, we’re not going to be poor or anything.”

“Oh no?” I tease. “Wouldn’t want to lose out on that jet of yours.”

Jay winks and takes my hand. “We’ll still have plenty of trips on the jet. You’re officially looking at the owner of one-half of Bouvier Media.”

My heart stops at his words, and I lock my gaze on him. “What?”

“You heard me. We work so well together, and the magazine is just one facet. You can continue to run it and contribute ideas for other businesses we should acquire or create. Or you can appoint a new editor in chief for Jolie and take on more of a leadership role at Bouvier. Up to you.”

He says it like he hasn’t just stolen my breath like he stole my heart all those years ago.

Scanning his face, I ask, “You named it after my mother?”

One side of Jay’s mouth kicks up. “I named it after the girl who brought me back to life. You still don’t get it, Kitten.” He shakes his head, causing his hair to fall over his eyes. “You were supposed to be my revenge, but you became my salvation. You are my fate. And every day from now until eternity, I’ll thank you for that. This is just one small way. By honoring your mother. Besides, neither of our fathers deserves the honor.”

Throwing my napkin to the table, I clap my hands to my husband’s cheeks and plant my mouth on his. It’s desperate and frantic. Beautiful and possessive. It’s filled with promises and apologies. Years’ worth of trauma. And happiness. So much fucking happiness. Because this man, he gives me the world and then asks what I want for dinner.

“Can we have waffles for dinner tomorrow?” I ask as I hold Jay’s face.

He doesn’t even question me. “We can have whatever makes you happy, wife.”

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

September 21, 2023

Subject: Black Label

Wife,