58. Jace
JACE
As I tug Rory along to the bus, I can admit I’m nervous. I really want to make her happy, and I’m hoping this is a good start.
After we board, she waves to Ozzie, but I keep moving to the back because I can’t wait to show her.
I don’t think she’s paying attention until I open the door to the master bedroom, and her eyes go wide.
“You got our bus back!” she shouts with a huge grin.
“It’s not the same, but we’ll have our own room and a spot for Layla.” I point to the crib I set up this morning. “It’s one of the reasons I came back early. I know how hard you work and how tough it is to take care of Layla on a bus, so I wanted to get you more space and a little privacy.”
“Jace, this is great.”
The room is bigger than on our old bus, so there’s more room for my wife’s books and daughter’s toys.
Rory puts her cowboy hat on the nightstand, and we sit on the bed. Nervous again, I take her hand in mine. “I’ve been thinking a lot about our situation and what we both want, and I want to offer a proposal to make it happen.”
“What do you mean?”
I rub my temple. “It’s not a perfect plan, but I hope it’s enough to get you to stay through the end of the tour. I know you applied for that job, and for the record, I haven’t agreed to any additional shows.”
“Jace.”
I hold up a hand. “Please let me finish. I know you want to be a librarian, but what if I could offer you something better?”
She cups my face. “I already have something better. And while I’ll miss being a librarian, I’d be a fool to quit this tour.”
I need her to hear me out before she makes any decisions.
“You’ve made a lot of concessions to be with me, to take care of Layla.
To do my social media and help us promote.
And I’m really fucking grateful. None of this would’ve been possible if you hadn’t given me a shot, which is why I want to propose that if you stay on the rest of the tour with me through the fall for those additional dates, I’ll get you that bookstore. We could do it in the new year.”
“What?” Her cute little nose wrinkles.
I rush to explain. “I was thinking I could lease a storefront for your bookstore. That way you wouldn’t have some asshole city council or mayor who could fire you at whim. You could run it how you wanted to, with Saturday story hour and coffee and couches and all of your favorite books.”
“What about the next time you go on tour? Because there will likely be a next time. Wouldn’t you want me to come again?”
“Of course. But I want to make your dreams come true too, not just mine.” I rub the back of my neck as I try to think of ways to balance everything. “What if we hired some part-time people, and maybe one of them could step up to full-time? You could always have virtual meetings with your staff.”
She kisses me. “I already turned down the interview for that librarian position. I couldn’t stomach the idea of leaving my family.
” Her eyes go shiny, and she sniffles. “And while I love the idea of a bookstore, I want to live in the moment more and enjoy this great opportunity you’re getting.
Maybe we could see more of the cities we’re visiting.
Don’t get me wrong, I adore the idea of a bookstore, but tonight was really fun.
And I’m starting to think I’m really good at this social media thing.
Maybe I just do what I’m doing, and we make the most of this tour and see where that takes us? ”
I grab her slender shoulders and stare into her gorgeous hazel eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She gives me a shy smile. “I haven’t had the best attitude about your tour. This really is a chance of a lifetime, and I want to be here to help make this happen.”
This woman is too good to be true. “What brought on this change?”
“Almost dying twice.”
“God, those were the worst moments of my life.” I hug her and breathe in her warm vanilla scent.
I’m still having a hard time knowing Susan was behind all that bullshit.
Edmond was new, someone I met on this tour, but Susan was like family.
And I’m pissed Frank let her manipulate him.
But mostly, I’m conflicted because I know he’s a good man, and Susan fucked up his life too.
Rory nestles closer. “It made me realize I’ve been looking at everything all wrong.
I’m tired of living quietly. Not that there’s anything wrong with a quiet life, but I did that because I was hurt and hiding.
When I thought Susan might actually lock me in a trunk and toss me in a lake, I had a moment where my life flashed before my eyes, and I didn’t like where things were headed. ”
“Baby…” I kiss her forehead.
“In a way, I’m grateful. It was the wake-up call I needed. I’m tired of living on the sidelines, afraid of worst-case scenarios.” Leaning back, she smiles at me. “Let’s live life out loud, kick ass and take names.”
“I’m on board with this plan.” But then I remember the most important thing, something I’ve been meaning to get off my chest. “When we started this whole thing, I told you we’d divorce at the end of the summer, but I love having you as my wife. So I need to renege on that offer, if you don’t mind.”
Grinning, she grazes her lips against mine. “I love you, Jace, and I’d be honored to be your wife.”
“Love you too, baby. So fucking much.” I lean down to kiss her. “You know what this means, right? We gotta put our wedding rings back on the right finger.”
Her eyes go shiny again. “I’d love that, but won’t it mess up things with Niles? Or your promo with Marlowe?”
“Don’t give a shit.” I am so tired of living by everyone else’s expectations. “I’m married and I love my wife. I should be able to wear my wedding ring.”
Her eyes go soft. “I love you too. So much. But how about we wait just a few months until things quiet down? There’s no need to do anything to rock the boat, especially while you’re negotiating that contract.”
My wife has a point. I blow out a breath. “And you’d be okay waiting?”
“The good things are always worth the wait.”
I literally couldn’t have found a better wife if I tried. “Thank you for being so patient. I need you, Aurora. You ground me.” Before this summer, I didn’t know I needed grounding. “You’re my North Star. Do you know that?”
Like the compass on my band’s logo, the one that sits right in the middle. That’s my wife. Steady. Focused. Patient. Always keeping me on the right track.
She chuckles. “It’s funny, but I’m bad with directions sometimes.” Her expression turns serious, and she grabs my hand. “Do you need me to sign a postnup? Because I will. I never want you to think I’m with you for the wrong reasons.”
“Nope. ’Cause I’m not planning to do anything that will make you wanna go anywhere. You’re my compass. Where you go, I go.”
“If you’re sure.”
Lacing our fingers together, I kiss the back of her hand. “Never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“Since we’re discussing our marriage, can I make one suggestion?”
“Of course.”
“Since I’m officially your wife now, I’m thinking maybe you should stop paying me to take care of Layla.”
I frown. “That doesn’t feel fair. You bust your ass around here.”
“I love Layla like she’s my own baby, and I don’t feel right getting paid to look after her. So maybe you pay me to do your social media instead? From here on out, I’m just her mom, and I have this cool side gig recording videos to promote the band.”
Fuck, she’s amazing. “I love that idea.” I kiss her, and we fall back on the bed. I come up over her and waggle my brows. “I’m kinda sweaty. How about a shower?”
With a flirty smile, she unties one of the straps on her dress. “I do have one or two places you could scrub for me.”
I leap off the bed and whip off my t-shirt. “Say no more. I’m your man.”
Her eyes slowly wander down my body. “Yes, you are.”