Page 95 of Faking It With My Pucking Protector

Greg. My parents.

They don’t know yet, and Greg especially… I’m not sure how he’ll take it.

“You’ve been through hell. And now you’ve got someone who looks at you like you hung the damn stars.”

I shake my head, laughing softly. “It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”

She squeezes my hand again, her grin softening. “Life can surprise you sometimes.”

She takes a sip of her coffee. “So... are you happy?”

The question lands deeper than I expect. I glance down at my mug, thumb brushing the rim. Then I look back at her.

“I am,” I say quietly. “More than I thought I could be.”

Jenna’s smile turns knowing, her eyes twinkling. “Good. Just promise me you’ll let yourself enjoy it. You deserve that much.”

We sit there a while longer, catching up about the gala, life, everything in between.

But as I walk out of the coffee shop, one thought won’t leave me.

Three weeks ago, I ran from a life I thought I wanted.

Now I’m building one I never saw coming.

By the time I get back to the house, Jackson’s truck is in the driveway. My pulse kicks up.

Inside, the house is quieter than I expect. Miss Taylor probably took the boys to the park.

I set my bag on the kitchen island and turn to find Jackson leaning in the doorway, freshly showered, hair still damp, a water bottle in hand.

He grins, causing my heartbeat to quicken even more. “Hey. How’d your meeting go?”

I cross to him without thinking, wrapping my arms lightly around his waist. He doesn’t hesitate. He just pulls me in, solid and warm.

He smells clean and warm, with that musky undertone I’ve come to associate with comfort.

“Good,” I say into his chest. “Really good.”

His hand brushes up and down my back once, easy. “Knew it would.”

I smile, but my mind’s already drifting. Back to the list of sponsors. The blacked-out logo. The blank space waiting to be filled.

Jackson draws back slightly, just enough to meet my eyes. “You’re in your head.”

“Little bit,” I admit, exhaling.

"You’re allowed to breathe, you know," he whispers softly, his hand rubbing my back. He presses a kiss to the top of my head, and it makes something twist in my chest. I pull back enough to look up at him.

“You ready for the game tonight?”

“Yes. It’s a big one. Game 1 of Round 2 against the Boston Outlaws.” He raises a brow. “You coming?”

I hesitate. “I want to, but…” I glance toward my laptop still open on the counter. “I’m so behind. The new sponsor leads, the edits for the silent auction page... I think I need to watch from home tonight.”

He nods, no hesitation. “Okay.”

“Really?”