Chapter 41
“I can’t believe you waited until now to tell me you’re sleeping with him,” Abby said.
“Dad told me you guys were involved, but I thought maybe he got it mixed up. You know how he is. He only gives half the story.” She curled her leg beneath herself and settled into the couch. “How long has this been going on?”
“A couple months.”
“A couple months?” she shouted. “What the hell, Sophie?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy with work, and then Jackson and I—”
“—are doing it, I get it. But you still should’ve told me.” She faux pouted. “I’m happy for you, but I’m so jealous.”
“Why are you jealous? Do you have a thing for Jackson?” The green-eyed monster lurking deep down rose from its slumber.
“For Jackson? No. I mean, the man is unbelievable, but I meant I’m jealous that you have someone and I don’t.”
“You have plenty of time. You’re still young. Don’t rush it.”
“Says the woman who’s involved with a gorgeous specimen of a man.”
“I see your point.” I chuckled. “Oh, and,” I said, leaning closer as if she couldn’t already hear me, “we said ‘I love you,’ and he said he wants kids someday.” Simply saying the words aloud made my heart swell with hope for the future.
I didn’t think her eyes could get any bigger than they were right now. “You hit the jackpot.” She paused a moment before asking, “Does he know about—”
“Yeah, I told him about the miscarriage. I also told him about some of what I dealt with during my marriage.”
“I still can’t believe everything that happened.
Has he tried to contact you since you broke his arm?
” I appreciated that she didn’t say his name and that she detailed the attack by what I did to him and not what he tried to do to me.
“I can’t believe they let him out on bail.
That bastard should rot in jail,” she added before I had a chance to answer her question.
I pointed toward her glass of wine. “Do you want another? Because I do.” I needed liquid courage if I was going to discuss my ex.
“Yes, thank you.”
After refilling our glasses, I settled back into my seat. “He hasn’t contacted me, which is good. I think if he did, Jackson would hunt him down. I’m hoping the restraining order is what’s keeping him away.”
“It’s good that he’s not bothering you.” Her cheeks puffed as she released a heavy breath. “You should’ve seen Dad when he found out what happened. He wanted to kill him. I had to talk him down.”
“Thanks for that. I don’t want him getting involved at all because we’ll end up visiting Dad in jail for murder.
” My cheek muscles contracted to form a smile, but they failed because there wasn’t anything funny about the situation.
There was, however, something amusing I could tell her about what happened later that same night. “Did Dad tell you he met Jackson?”
“No. Damn, I swear that man doesn’t tell me anything. When did this happen?”
“The same night I was attacked. He came here looking for me after it happened, but I was staying next door.” My face scrunched in memory of the story Jackson told me about their first encounter.
“Dad was banging on my door, and Jackson heard it. He thought it was….” I didn’t want to utter my ex’s name, so I didn’t.
“Anyway, he rushed outside, and that’s how they first met. ”
“That’s a boring story. From the look on your face, I thought it would be juicy.”
I held up my pointer finger. “How about this? When they met, Jackson wasn’t wearing anything but his underwear.
Which was why he ended up telling Dad that he and I were involved.
I still don’t think Jackson has recovered from that encounter.
And when I talked to Dad the next day, all he said was that he met my boss.
He didn’t acknowledge much else about Jackson.
I could tell from the sound of his voice that he wasn’t happy, but he didn’t tell me that, so I’m only guessing. ”
“You know how Dad is,” Abby said. “It’s like pulling teeth to get anything out of him. But he has to be relieved that an MMA fighter is protecting his daughter.”
I shrugged because I simply didn’t know how our father felt about Jackson. And since our relationship was so new, I wanted to give it time to grow before I reintroduced the two most important men in my life.
My sister started to say something else, but her face suddenly went slack. I turned to see what had caught her attention and suddenly mirrored her expression.
Jackson stood in the kitchen, dressed in black dress pants and a matching blazer with a maroon button-up underneath.
“Hey, Abby,” he greeted, briefly acknowledging my sister before turning his gaze on me. “We have to leave in twenty.”
“Wh… what?” I barely heard what he said, too entranced with the look of him dressed like that. He was even more gorgeous than usual. I’d only ever seen him dressed in jeans or shorts, with the occasional sweatpants thrown in.
“The press conference. Did you forget?” Jackson looked from me to Abby and back again before he glanced down at himself. “Do I have something on me?” His eyes met mine once more. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
I rose from the couch and walked toward him, entranced by the sight of him. “Because I’ve never seen you dressed like this.”
“You don’t like it?”
“Quite the opposite.” I gave him another visual once-over. “Like I said… illegally hot.”
He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “I’ll have to dress like this more often.”
“Then you’re going to have to fight me off you.”
“Deal.” Jackson kissed me, and Abby audibly sighed, making me laugh. “Now can you get ready?”
“Oh, my lounge pants and T-shirt won’t do?”
“Wear what you want. It’s not a formal thing. This is just how I’ve always dressed for it.”
“I’m kidding. I’m not wearing this.” I tried to step back, but his hold tightened. “I can’t change if you don’t let go of me.”
“Do I have to?” he asked, his sultry gaze making me wish we were alone right now.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, swatting my ass right after he released me. “But hurry up. I want to get this over with as soon as possible.”
Abby stood up and grabbed her purse. “I guess I’ll see you later. Let me know how everything goes.” She stepped closer to Jackson. “Nice suit.”
“Thanks.” He looked at me, then back at my sister. “You’re more than welcome to come with us if you want.”
“Really?” Abby looked in my direction. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all. I would’ve invited you, but I don’t know how these things work. But if he’s okay with it, come with us.” The truth was, I was nervous, so having my sister by my side while Jackson did his thing would help me immensely.
She clasped her hands together and was clearly excited but a moment later her enthusiasm died. “Am I dressed okay?” She wore dark-colored jeans and a sleeveless green top paired with black pointy flats.
“You’re good,” Jackson said. “Like I said, it’s nothing formal.” His attention veered toward me once more. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I’d been so enraptured with our bubble these past months that I prayed it didn’t burst when we were subjected to the rest of the world, his press conference being the first exposure.