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I glanced down at my partner for that one, my chest expanding with that cozy warmth I learned to associate with her.

“She is, she’s bringing dinner with her,” Jacqueline squeezed her hand in mine, and I squeezed hers back. I decided it wasn’t enough, so I released our hands so I could tuck her against my side, my arm around her shoulders.

Because it was habit at this point, Jacqueline wrapped her arm around my waist, squeezing the two of us together as we entered the lift. I raised my other arm when Mummy snuggled on my other side, and I felt two parts of my world finally fitting together.

Falling in love with Jacqueline Williams was unexpected. I didn’t think I was a man who desired the love of one single person. But I was perfectly happy being wrong about that. I never stood a chance against a woman like her, who was willing to risk exposing the most intimate parts of herself to me. Her insecurities, her frustrations, her concerns. But also her desires.

Her love.

A love that was so raw, so vulnerable, that I couldn’t help but fall into it headfirst.

As Jacqueline chatted with my mums, asking how their flights were and what they had planned for their visit, I planted a kiss on the crown of her head.

Jacqueline glanced up at me, a grin on her face as she gave me a playful look with her eyes. Biting back a groan of disappointment, because Jacqueline and I would have to wait for another time to play like I wanted to, I rested my cheek against her head.

My mums eyeballed our casual intimacy with a soft expression on their faces, before taking each other’s hands and having a silent conversation with their eyes.

I had a feeling I knew what they were saying to one another.

He’s okay.

He’s not alone.

No, I wasn’t.

And I would continue to do everything in my power to keep Jacqueline right where she belonged.

Right here, with me.

THE END