Allie
There’s nothing quite like starting your day with the overwhelming urge to fight anyone who so much as breathes in your direction. Especially when the universe decides that, no matter how hard you try, absolutely nothing is going to go right.
And I really mean nothing.
It all started this morning when everyone overslept—including my mother, who was supposed to watch the girls so I could make it to mediation on time and convince a complete stranger that I’m a competent, loving mom.
That little hiccup put me behind schedule, and of course Trevor practically glowed as he stood up to inform the mediator that my being three minutes late was undeniable proof I’m unfit to raise my children.
Apparently, we’re all just supposed to forget the times he was over two hours late picking up the girls because he “accidentally fell asleep.” Must be nice to have selective memory that only works when it benefits you.
And as if that weren’t enough, I somehow managed to spill the entire contents of my scalding hot coffee all over our poor mediator. I honestly thought by noon I’d perish from all the embarrassment that was today.
Now I’m standing in the kitchen, making my version of dinosaur-shaped grilled cheese—fully aware the girls won’t even eat them because Jax didn’t make them. All while trying not to scream into the skillet while mentally replaying every single disaster from the day on a constant loop.
It has to be a full moon. Which is honestly just perfect timing because—
Before I can finish that thought, arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back against a solid chest.
At first, I jump—but the moment that familiar mix of sandalwood and lavender hits my nose, my shoulders drop. Just like that, Trevor’s smug face and the image of our poor mediator leaping up from possible second-degree burns vanish from my mind like smoke.
I laugh under my breath. “Wow, Ana. I didn’t know you felt this way about me,” I tease, leaning back into his warmth.
He chuckles, the sound rumbling against my back. “Mmm, but does Ana make your toes curl the way I do?”
My mouth falls open, but no words come out. I turn in his arms, and swat his chest playfully before resting my head against it, and take in the deepest breath I think I’ve taken all day.
Behind me, I feel him reach out—probably turning off the burner I totally didn’t forget was still on.
I pull back a little, looking up at him. “Wait—how’d you even get in here without me hearing you?”
He grins. “Your mum let me in.”
“Of course she did,” I say through a smile.
Our eyes meet, and for a few quiet seconds, we just stand there—lost in each other. It’s like we’ve been transported right back to that wine aisle in Boston.
To feel this much love, you’d think it might be terrifying. Maybe even a little suffocating. But now? I can’t imagine my life without it. Without him. He doesn’t even have to say it anymore. I just know.
Jaxon Owens loves me. And he shows me, in a million quiet ways, every single day. Just like I always deserved.
The corners of his mouth twitch, and my insides melt as he extends a hand toward me.
“Dance with me,” he murmurs, wearing that crooked grin I can never resist.
I laugh softly, shaking my head. “But there’s no music.”
He clutches his chest dramatically. “You wound me, Allison. Did you forget who I am?” He raises a brow. “Again?”
I laugh as he takes my hands, guiding them to his shoulders.
Right there, in the middle of my tiny kitchen, he starts to sway us back and forth.
I rest my head against his chest, eyes drifting closed as I get swept into this moment. A moment of pure love. No stress. No noise. Just… us.
He starts to hum, and I feel the gentle vibrations against the top of my head. We sway for who knows how long. Definitely long enough for the grilled cheese to go cold. Although, it’s not like it matters. The girls won’t touch them anyway, and Jax is here now to make his “special” ones.
His humming continues, and I listen, getting lost in the familiar sound of his—
Wait. This sounds too familiar.
I pull back a little and squint up at him. “Are you Rickrolling me right now? Through a hum?”
He bursts out laughing. “How the hell did you pick up on that? I’ve had the song stuck in my head all day.”
I shake my head, still laughing, and lean back into him.
“Oh, I wish I had my camera,” my mom says from the doorway, making us both jump.
I turn to see her standing there, hands over her heart, eyes glistening.
“At this point, I’m just going to tie it around your neck,” I joke, resuming my sway with Jax. “You always say you need it and never have it.”
Before she can fire back, both girls come barreling into the kitchen.
“I wanna dance too!” Charlotte shouts, bouncing on her toes.
Jax throws me a look, then drops his arm from around me. “Sorry, love,” he says, winking as he steps away. “You get your turn tomorrow at the release party.”
Then he scoops her up like she weighs nothing and starts swaying with her.
Lydia waddles in next—bunny tucked under her arm, hair a wild mess from her nap. I scoop her up and fall into step beside Jax, matching his pace. And just like that, the disaster of this morning fades into barely a memory, replaced by something softer.
Something that feels a lot like home—exactly where the four of us are meant to be.