35. Jones
35
JONES
“I hear congratulations are in order, Mr. Meadows.”
“Please. Call me John,” he insists, patting me on the shoulder. “After all, you are dating my daughter, correct?”
I nod. “John.” I hold eye contact, making sure he sees how serious I am. “I am. I’m crazy about your daughter, sir.”
John ponders my statement for a moment. I may not know John Meadows very well, but he reminds me so much of Capri. I can tell he’s a gentle soul. “She deserves that,” he says. “Someone who loves her well. That’s all I could ever want for her.”
“Understood,” I agree, feeling honored to be the man who gets to spend my time with her. “I promise to treat her right. With respect and care. You have my word.”
John nods, and I can tell Capri’s divorce has taken a toll on him. He only wants what’s best for his daughter. “Very well,” he murmurs. “I trust Capri, and she must see something pretty great in you for you to be here with her now.”
“Thank you, John.” I grin. “Congrats on retirement, by the way. Capri is very proud of you.”
He waves me off. “Ahh, she’s too much. It was time.”
I chuckle, happy with that conversation, and search the crowded reception hall for my golden girl. We followed the rest of the guests to the reception venue, and it was as if something came over Capri suddenly.
I’m not sure what flipped, but she seems uncomfortable. I don’t want to push her and ask too many questions, especially with her family being close by.
But I’m concerned.
The bride and groom are having their moment on the dance floor while we stand back and watch them celebrate their new marriage.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I say, lifting my drink to John and heading to find Capri. I find her helping herself to another glass of champagne and sidle up next to her. “You know…you still owe me a dance,” I whisper in her ear.
I love the effect I have on her. Especially when she least expects it.
A smile finds her beautiful face, and I use the opportunity to take her glass and set our drinks on the table beside her.
“Dance with me,” I whisper. “Please.”
“Fair warning…I have two left feet.” She giggles, and my chest grows tight.
I’m so crazy about this woman.
She brings me happiness I never thought possible. I’ve spent years alone, sharing life’s wins with myself. Little did I know, she’d be my biggest win of all.
I wrap my arms around her on the dance floor and pull her close. “You have every man in here wishing they were me, sweetheart.”
“I don’t care about them. Let them wish.” Capri nuzzles into my neck and settles into my chest.
I kiss her forehead and let the beat of the music lead us.
“Ends of the Earth” by Ty Myers plays over the venue speakers, and the words resonate between us.
I tuck a loose curl behind her ear and caress her face gently. “Will you choose me if it comes down to it? Will you stay with me?” I whisper, feeling emotional over this incredible woman.
I don’t know why I ask it, but I have to know. Holding her right now makes me fearful of losing her. I’m never fearful. I never worry. But fuck if losing her doesn’t unlock my greatest fear of all.
Life without Capri Meadows.
Tears fill her bright blues. “You’re the only choice, Jones. Just please don’t leave me.”
She’s more precious than rubies and gold, unmeasurable in value. Yet, we share the same fears.
“I never thought it was possible to fall for someone the way I have you. You’ve been a bright spot in my life, Capri. I’m not sure I’d survive losing you.”
“It’s a good thing I’m not going anywhere then.” She smiles up at me.
“Capri.” I still.
A masculine voice I don’t recognize calls from behind me. Capri seems to know who the sound is coming from because she freezes, stopping our dancing as her eyes widen like saucers.
“Drew.”
My stomach drops. If I turn around, I know I’ll come face-to-face with the fucker who deceived my woman for far too long.
Ex-husband is too kind of a title for him.
“Can I talk to you?” he asks her, and thankfully, Capri shakes her head.
“No. Not here, Drew.” Her tone is sharp, like she’s responding as fast as possible, hoping it’ll make him leave sooner.
“Capri, come on. It’ll only take a minute.” He reaches for her arm and my body is not my own.
I fling myself around and get in his face, all while keeping my hands at a distance. “She said no.”
He looks me up and down like I’m some type of scum. “I think she can answer for herself, buddy.”
Buddy?
“Listen, fucker. We wouldn’t want to start something we can’t finish at someone else’s wedding. So how about you walk away and let her be?”
He ticks his jaw, body language indicating we aren’t finished here. “Yeah. Sure,” he says with an untamed smirk. “Talk soon, Cap.”
Cap? I’ll kill him. But I won’t cause a scene and embarrass Capri in the process. He’s not worth it.
“I’m so sorry, Jones. I didn’t know he would be here.”
I pull her to me, needing a moment to steady myself. “Shhh. It’s okay. He was your husband. I guess it would be strange for me not to consider it a possibility. Are you okay?”
She nods. “Yeah. I’m not sure why he wants to talk to me. Probably just to make sure I see he’s here.”
What a prick.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“I have nothing to say to him. We were done for good once those papers were signed.”
I kiss her softly. “Then, we enjoy our night together. Sound good, beautiful?”
“Sounds perfect.”