Now
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Evangeline
“Let’s get married,” Jackson impulsively decides.
“What?”
“Let’s get married.”
I hurriedly swallow my bite of fried chicken with a piece of waffle. “Jackson, what’s going on?”
“Nothing, I just—I might be in Europe next season while you stay in Indiana. I know we said we’d get married in Italy, but I don’t think I want to wait anymore. I want to marry you now, before we go home tomorrow.”
I giggle, shaking my head. “Are you alright?”
“I’ve never felt better. There’s that little chapel by the hotel. We could go there as soon as we’re done eating.”
His enthusiasm, the massive smile splitting his handsome face in half, is contagious. I’m at a loss for words, trying to catch up with his idea.
“You want us to get married?”
“You’ve known that for years, Evie. I don’t even know why we’ve waited this long.
When I’m over there in Europe, when my teammates ask who I’m on the phone with all the time, I want to tell them it’s my wife.
That’s who you’ve always been, princess.
You’ve always been so much more than my girlfriend.
With everything you’ve done, everything you’ve given me …
I just want reality to catch up, and the honor to finally call you my wife. ”
I think about it, but only for a moment. “‘Husband’ has a nice ring to it.”
Somehow, his grin gets even bigger. He leans over the table, grabbing the back of my head to tug me into an elated kiss. When he pulls away, he fully stands up and shouts, “We’re getting married!”
“Jackson!” I scold, tugging at his hoodie to force him to sit back down.
The few people in here with us have turned their attention to our table, and three of them clap. I use my hands to shield myself and glare at him, embarrassed.
“You are something else, Jackson Reyes,” I mutter.
“And you are everything, Evangeline Gillian. Soon to be Reyes.”
Again, he comes over and presses an excited kiss on my lips. “You could have suggested that yesterday, when we were at the Grand Canyon,” I say. “It would have been more scenic than the IHOP.”
“Sorry, I got caught up in the moment. I promise, we’ll have a lush destination ceremony in a couple of years. But I can’t go another day without marrying you, princess.”
I look down at my blue dress and scrunch my nose. “This is all I have to wear, though.”
“And it’s perfect. You look gorgeous, as always.”
After a few seconds to process everything, I ask, “Are we really doing this?”
“I’ve never wanted anything this much in my life, Evie.”
With how hard he’s been working to become an F1 driver, part of me wants to reject that statement. But the way he looks at me, with so much need, longing, and love, I can’t doubt it. He wants this even more than his big dream of becoming the world’s best driver. And I want it just as much.
We’re in a weird, surreal state during the rest of our dinner. We can’t stop grinning and glancing at one another, like we have a secret no one else knows—even though the whole restaurant does.
Once we’re done, after we’ve paid for everything, we head out together, hand in hand. The walk to the chapel is full of stolen kisses and small touches. And with every step, I’m more and more certain that this is the right thing to do.
If everything goes according to plan and he gets into the Altron team, almost all of our first year of marriage will be spent apart.
But I know we can do this. We’ve gone through so much already, and it isn’t a few months apart that will break our bond.
And in a year, I’ll join him in Belgium, we’ll have our own house, and everything will be perfect.
When we arrive in front of the chapel, we pause and stand before it for a moment.
As impulsive as this may be, it’s exactly what we need.
It’s not like a piece of legal paper will change what’s between us.
But this commitment will strengthen our bond, make it even more unbreakable than it already is.
“Are you ready?” he asks, looking down at me.
I twist my face to meet his mismatched gaze, drowning in love for this man. “I’ve been ready for years, Jax.”
“Then let’s do this, princess.”
He lets go of my hand, but only to offer me his arm instead. I gladly hook mine on his, and, after one last kiss, we step into the little chapel.
We’re entering as boyfriend and girlfriend, and we will come out as husband and wife. This isn’t the path we planned, but it’s the right one, regardless.
There is no wrong or right way to travel this journey we’re on. As long as we’re together, nothing else matters.
I’d follow him to the end of the world.
The busy crowd at the airport doesn’t help appease my jittery mood. For the hundredth time since I impulsively took out my luggage to fill it with my things, I wonder what I’m doing.
After receiving the email with the plane ticket, I spent three days questioning whether I should take Jackson up on his offer or not.
Joining him in Europe, watching him race in Monaco from the sidelines, sounds absolutely insane.
And the implications of this holiday together are just wrong, given my intention to keep my distance from him.
Yet, here I am, dragging my suitcase behind me as I make my way to the arrivals area of the Milan airport.
No matter how hard I try to justify myself and soothe my conscience, the impulsive decision still has me questioning my sanity.
I woke up this morning, telling myself I definitely couldn’t go for so many reasons.
Two hours later, I was throwing whatever I could think of into my suitcase, rushing so I wouldn’t miss the next flight to Chicago and get a better layover time.
This man has an uncanny ability to mess with my head. And that’s dangerous. Dangerous enough to know I should stay away before things derail. But maybe they already have. It certainly feels that way.
I’m only staying for this one race. One little weekend and then I’m going home. Cynthia’s surprise birthday is coming up anyway, so it’s not like I could stay much longer, regardless.
Still not at peace with my decision to come, I step into the arrivals area.
Jackson told me someone would be here to pick me up, so I look for a chauffeur with a sign that has my name on it.
Before I can find one, though, my gaze falls on a tall and broad silhouette that’s all too familiar.
That cap and those sunglasses might be enough to fool others, but I could recognize him in any disguise.
Surprised that he came himself, I hurriedly make my way to him. He smiles at me the whole time, hands shoved into his pockets as he chews on his gum, the muscles in his jaw working with every bite down.
“What are you doing here?” I wonder in a low voice.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s media day. Practice starts tomorrow. I’m sure you have much better things to do than pick me up at the airport.”
He looks down at me with something soft in his warm expression. “No. Not even a little bit.”
When he lowers to greet me with a kiss, I can’t stop myself from recoiling. “Jax, there are people around.”
“No one’s paying attention to us. Come on, princess. Haven’t you missed me?”
After a quick scan of our surroundings, I allow myself this little treat and rise to grant him a quick peck. Of course, he takes more than that, and the vertiginous touch of his tongue tricks me into parting my lips for him. The kiss doesn’t last long, but enough to weaken my knees.
He looks like the cat that got the cream as he straightens up.
“What’s that taste?” I wonder, licking my lips. “Strawberry?”
His grin widens. “Is it still your favorite?”
I nod, unsure what to make of the fact that not only does he remember, he’s been chewing on this gum in anticipation of this kiss. He knows me too well, even after all this time, and it’s a little scary.
Without another word, he takes my suitcase from my distracted grip, and his free hand comes around my back to lead me outside.
Among the line of taxis and cars dropping off or picking up friends and family, I notice a particularly extravagant one—a collectible from the sixties if I had to guess.
Sure enough, Jax’s assertive steps bring us to it.
“Discretion isn’t really your forte, is it?” I ask with amusement as he opens the trunk.
“The 1966 E-type is a classic,” he dismissively explains.
As he handles my suitcase, I admire the elegant, sleek shape of the car. The deep green bodywork is all elegant curves, stretching forward like an animal about to jump. It’s the embodiment of its logo, a leaping jaguar.
Jax returns to open the door for me, as always, and I get seated in the soft, golden-brown leather.
He quickly joins me and gets rid of his gum, using the wrapper he kept in his pocket.
I don’t have time to see it coming when he reaches over the space between us to pull me into him, gracing my lips with a famished kiss.
We’re a little more sheltered than earlier in the airport, so I allow myself to melt into his embrace.
Anyone out there could see us if they tried, but I decide they’re likely all busy, focused on catching their flight or securing their ride to wherever they’re going.
By the time he releases me, I’m a needy, trembling mess, and I’m more aware than ever that coming here was a mistake. A few days in paradise with him? I’ll never want to leave.
“I’m glad you decided to come,” he murmurs, his gorgeous face still inches from mine while his hand cradles the side of my face.
“I’m glad I came, too,” I respond truthfully.
Yes, this is a mistake. But one I’ll get to enjoy a lot. I’ll deal with the consequences of it later.
He gives me one last, adamant peck and gets us on the road. “How was your flight?” he wonders.
“Great. First class definitely ruined coach for me. I don’t know how I’ll ever go back to my peasant life.”
“Was it your first time?”
“Yes. I don’t travel much.”
“Well, I’m glad I was part of this first experience for you.”
“You were a part of many of my first experiences, Jax.”