Page 113 of Middle Ground

“Meyer?”

“Yeah?” I whisper.

When he smiles, the sight nearly takes my breath away. “I love you, too,” he says.

“You promise?”

The weight of the day is heavy, but having Jackson here to lessen the load makes even the bleakest moments feel surmountable.

He nods. “Cross my heart. Now let’s go home, baby.”

I take his hand. “Alright, Hotshot, let’s go home.”

CHAPTER 39

MEYER

“Meyer,I promise everything is going to be great.”

I smooth a hand over my outfit again, inspecting it in the mirror. I debated wearing a dress today, mainly because I like the way Jackson looks at me when I do, but I knew I would feel more confident in pants. And I need all the confidence I can get right now.

Today, the mayor’s daughter is getting married. I wonder if she’s half as nervous as I am, because I am on the verge of freaking out.

Those fears of disappointing my mom and ruining the inn have faded over the last couple months, but it would be a lie to say that they’ve completely gone away. I’m not sure if they ever will, truthfully. But I’ve learned to take that scary next step anyway, even if I’m convinced I will fail. Because chances are, things will work out just fine.

My eyes flit from my clothing to Jackson, who stands over my shoulder. “You’re right,” I say. “And if it’s not, I’ll place the blame on you.”

He steps closer, his chest pressed to my back, and snakes his arms around my waist. He grins as he places a kiss on top of my head. “Ah, so that’s why you’ve been keeping me around. Insurance in case things go wrong.”

I tip my head back, looking up at him. “Precisely. I’m glad you know where you stand.”

I turn in his arms, and then I reach for his face, turning it to the side. The bruising on his head from that day in the flower shop has faded considerably, but the faint traces still make anger coat my veins.

Felix was arrested, but I can’t help feeling like that wasn’t enough. Like there isn’t a punishment fit enough for hurting Jackson. Is this what it means to love someone like this? Because it kind of sucks, this constant worry over his health and happiness. I wouldn’t change it for the world, though.

“Hey,” Jackson says, drawing me out of my thoughts, “not today. Don’t let him ruin today.”

I nod. “You’re right.”

Dramatically, he places a hand on his chest. “Twice in the span of one conversation? Who are you and what have you done with my Meyer?”

I roll my eyes, but a smile stretches my lips. “YourMeyer has gone soft. Something about being in love or whatever. Gross.”

Jackson traces my cheekbone with his thumb, hands caressing my face. “No, you’ve been like that all along. You just allow me the privilege of seeing it now. Seeing you. And that is the greatest gift you could ever give me.”

Letting Jackson in wasn’t a conscious decision, but it was the best I’ve ever made. Not only is the inn thriving, but I feelmore like myself than I ever have before. That eighteen-year-old girl who felt like her world was being torn apart had no idea what was in store for her.

I swallow my emotions. “Stop being sweet, you’ll make me ruin my makeup.”

He leans down and kisses me, and I’m tempted to stay like this forever.

“I love you,” I say when we part.

His irises almost sparkle. “I love you, too,” he replies. “Now let’s go to a wedding.”

The green space off the side of the inn has been transformed in a matter of hours. Chairs and tables have been set up beneath the large tent to shade everyone from the sun, and flowers from Ilsa’s shop have been placed all around.

“Meyer!”