Page 42

AURORA

I catch Jackson staring off at nothing, his bright-green eyes dark and empty. He’s also gone through a bag of Jolly Ranchers on this flight. I want to ask what he’s thinking—because I know he has a plan in that mind of his—but I don’t want to ruin this moment.

This is our moment. Despite our public lives, we deserve something that’s purely ours. Everyone deserves something special, and I can give that to Jax, even if we are young and dumb.

Who knows? This might all blow up in my face.

I glance down at the ring on my finger. It’s not your typical engagement ring. It’s a sizable heart-shaped diamond with swirls of gray and black—a smoky diamond. The top is brilliant, flawless. A dark storm encompasses the middle, and the lower portion is entirely black.

It’s beautiful and unique and reminds me of him and, oddly, Ethan.

I lay my head on Jax’s shoulder. “The ring is gorgeous. Thank you.”

It’s late, the tiny lights above just bright enough to see each other, giving a sense of whispering secrets in the dark.

His gaze meets mine, shimmering with affection. “It’s meant to symbolize my heart wrapped around your finger.”

I can’t help but smile at his sweet words. “Ah, good one, Romeo.”

He gives me that crooked grin. “I thought so.”

“Honestly, I love it. Thank you.” I hug him tighter, thankful there’s no divider between our seats.

“You deserve nothing less.” He leans down and plants a tender kiss on my forehead. “Plus, it had to be large enough to attract everyone’s attention.”

I burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the plane. It’s such a typical Jackson response.

“There it is,” I say, my voice laced with amusement.

“What?”

“Your ego. I thought you’d misplaced it for a moment there.”

“Haha. Funny,” he deadpans, his face devoid of emotion, making it even more hilarious.

Unfortunately, I have to break the spell. “I guess that means you want everyone to know?”

“That was the plan.” He scowls, suspicion creeping into his voice. “Why?”

I sit up, my attention focused on him, and attempt to explain the whirlwind of my thoughts. “I hate everyone being in our business. The publicity. The paparazzi. I wish we could do something just you and me.”

He takes a minute to consider. “You’re way ahead of me. I didn’t think you’d say yes, let alone start— Are you talking about the actual event? I’ll do whatever you want. We can turn this plane around and go to Vegas tonight.”

I narrow my eyes, shooting daggers at the thought of getting married where he relapsed. I hear the disapproving whispers, see the judgmental glances.

And if the media got hold of the pictures?

No fucking way I’m enduring that ridicule a second time.

He backtracks. “Shit. Never mind. Terrible idea. Never going to Vegas again.”

My following words are hesitant and irrational, but fuck it. “We could elope in New York. No one would know, save for me and you.”

His face lights up, and his eyes widen comically. “Are you serious?”

“People will find out. I’m not ashamed of anything, but I’d rather start our life without listening to everyone’s opinion on our engagement. Does that bother you?”

He stares at me, his chest heaving slightly. “Nope, not at all. I’ve already cleared it with Ethan.”

I recoil, my brows shooting skyward. “Ah, what?”

He flattens his lips. “Oh no, you have that gleam in your eye, the one you get when you’re about to tear my balls off.” He raises his palms in a gesture of surrender. “You know, Ethan refuses to be married again. He sees marriage as a death sentence.”

“Wow,” I drag out. “I guess we’d better give him what he wants then.”

“Nope.” Jax shakes his head. “ Ethan is the rebound guy, not me. Don’t rebound me.”

“I’m not rebounding you.” I chuckle at his antics. “We’re all in this together here.”

I think Ethan secretly enjoys being the other guy, enjoys the taboo aspect of our relationship. It makes him feral.

If I marry Jax, Ethan will get to eat endlessly from his forbidden cake, and Jax will be over the moon. And I’ll…get to do whatever I want.

This is a win-win situation—or incredibly idiotic.

Jackson’s smile is devilish, his eyes full of mischief. “We’re definitely in this together. Coach better take time off for an extended honeymoon.”

“Does your dick-brain ever shut off?”

He glances down at said member. “Nope. Not with you.”