Page 119 of Fierce-Jax

Dillion moved over, wrapped her arm around his waist, and pulled him in for a kiss. They rarely showed this much affection in front of Gianna. Only light hugs.

“We can do it together, but I doubt you could fail in her eyes.”

What a sweet thing to say.

“I don’t think you’ll ever fail in hers,” he said.

She snorted. “You weren’t a teenage girl. Every thirteen-year-old girl fights with their mother.”

“Roni didn’t do that too much,” he said.

“That you saw or she told you,” she said, laughing. “My father saw little also.”

“I want a kiss,” Gianna said.

Jax leaned down to see Gianna with her arms stretched up to be lifted.

He didn’t want this to be awkward, but he hadn’t done that yet.

He lifted her and kissed her on the cheek.

“There you go,” he said.

“Right here,” Gianna said, touching her lips.

He had a panic moment. Not everyone thought that was acceptable, least of all when it wasn’t their kid.

He did everything in his life to avoid ever being in an awkward position where someone could blame or judge him.

He had too many eyes on him in his job and in the community.

“Why don’t you give a kiss to Jax,” Dillion said. “He might be shy.”

Gianna moved closer and put her tiny lips on his and he smiled. “Avery kisses her daddy every day when he drops her off,” Gianna said, putting her head on his shoulder.

He was helpless with these two and knew he’d do anything to never lose them.

Dillion ran her hand over her daughter’s head. “That’s nice of Avery’s father to do that.”

“I don’t have a daddy, but I’ve got Grandpa and I’ve got Jax,” Gianna said happily. “My daddy is in heaven.”

“He is,” Dillion said softly.

And because Gianna said it so matter-of-factly, it let him know that Dillion was making the right decision when it concerned her daughter.

“Why don’t I start dinner?” he asked.

It had been an emotional day for him and he could tell one for Dillion too.

“Gianna,” she said, “why don’t you go get one of your puzzles and you can put it together at the table? Dinner won’t take long. Jax and I will make it together.”

“Cuz it’ll be faster?” Gianna asked. “I’m hangry.”

He laughed. “Yes, it will be faster,” he said. “Did I create a monster giving her that word?”

“You did. She says that all the time so now I have no idea how hungry she really is. It’s just her word.”

“Dillion,” he said and pulled her close. “She is such a happy child. I had no right to say what I had. Everything you’re doing, it’s for her, and it’s right. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. Including me.”