“No, you don’t.”
“I’m happy about the baby now,” she says. “It took some getting used to the idea, but I’m starting to get excited.”
“Don’t worry about the business,” I say. “We’ll figure something out.”
“I hope so,” Maci says, squeezing my hand. “I don’t want to give it up.”
“I’ll move back here,” I say, holding her eyes. “That should make things easier. Plus, I’ll be close to my mom.”
“And Jax,” she says.
I don’t respond to that, unless you count the sick feeling in my stomach and the ache in the middle of my chest. “This will be good for us. Heck, maybe we can get into natural bath products for babies.”
Her entire face changes from worried to excited in two seconds flat. “That’s a great idea,” Maci says, grabbing her phone to make notes, her mind already kicking into gear. “And fun soaps for kids. The twins love to use that stuff in the bath, but it always seems to leave marks on the tub or glitter gets everywhere, and you have to clean when they’re done. It’s a pain.”
Our minds spin with scents, textures, and packaging as we brainstorm ideas. What Maci thought was going to be the end of her career is maybe just turning out to be the beginning of something great. That’s the best kind of ending. The kind that leads you to a new beginning.
Is life doing the same thing for me?
Part of my life with Luke ends, and life is leading me to a new beginning with Jax?
“Oh, I can’t wait to tell Malcolm about our new plan,” she says.
My heart tugs, wishing I had someone to tell. That’s one of the best parts about being in a relationship, you have someone to share all your happiness with.
“I’m going to text him,” she says.
“Isn’t he just downstairs?” I ask.
She laughs and shrugs, “Yeah, he hates it when I text him from the house.”
A few seconds later we hear the sound of his footsteps coming up the stairs, a soft knock, then he sticks his head in and asks, “What’s the big news?”
“Come see,” Maci says, waving him in. She starts talking at a speed that only Maci can. I can tell that Malcolm is trying to follow her stream of consciousness rant, nodding his head. She goes on for what seems like forever without even pausing for a breath. Before she turns blue, Malcolm places a hand down on his wife’s shoulder, smiling. “I know we thought I’d probably need to stop working or cut way back, but . . .”
“Go for it,” he says, bending down and kissing her on the forehead. “I’ll support you whatever you want to do.”
She leaps into his arms. God, they look happy, both smiling, wrapped in each other’s arms. Maci does a little wiggle, and I can’t help but smile. She plants a small kiss on Malcolm’s cheek, saying, “Think I’ll sleep in here with Skylar tonight.”
“You don’t need to do that,” I say. “I’m fine.” They both give me a look. “Okay, I’m not fine, but I’m going to polish off the rest of the cookies and ice cream then go to bed.”
“You sure?” Maci asks.
I nod, and she heads toward the door, but Malcolm doesn’t follow her. “Be there in a minute,” he says to her.
She gives him a curious look before leaving. “Malcolm, you don’t need to worry about me,” I say.
His head shakes. “There’s a gift for you under the tree downstairs.”
“What gift?”
“When you’re ready,” he says then walks out the door. “Downstairs.”
“Malcolm?” I whisper-shout, but he either doesn’t hear me or ignores me.
My heart sinks, knowing Luke really wanted me to have that ring. He must have given it to Malcolm to give to me. I’m not anxious to face that, so I clear off the bed and go to brush my teeth. I’ll face that in the morning. Toothbrush in hand, I walk to the bedroom door, peeking in the hallway. No, I’ll never sleep if I see that ring again. So I walk back into the bathroom to finish up, the brush moving faster and faster against my teeth. My hairbrush moves with the same force, but I’m sure that whatever is down there can wait until the morning, until I’ve had some sleep.
Turning off the light, I crawl into bed. Two seconds later, I sit up.
I won’t be able to sleep until I know for sure what’s down there. If it is the ring, I’m not sure how I’ll handle it. I won’t keep it. I hate to make Malcolm or anyone else return it to Luke. God, I really hope I’m wrong about what’s waiting for me.
Taking a deep breath, I tiptoe down the stairs, careful not to wake anyone. From the staircase, I can see the Christmas lights are still on, the white light drawing me into the den.
From the bottom of the stairs, I can see the back of the sofa, the fireplace, but not the tree. My legs stop moving. Today has been the worst, and I’m not sure my emotions can take much more. I turn, my hand on the banister to head back upstairs, but my curiosity gets the better of me.
Taking a deep breath, I walk to the opening that leads into the den, expecting to find a little box for a diamond ring. What I find is much bigger than a diamond, and way more valuable. It’s not from Luke, but from Jax.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
JAX
From my chair in the corner of the room, I watch Skylar standing in front of the tree. She has no idea I’m here. When I convinced Malcolm to let me leave Skylar’s gift for her, I had to stay. I told Malcolm I’d be taking up residence until I win Skylar back. Plus, I had to see this moment. The moment she got her gift from me. It’s been a long time coming.
She doesn’t touch it. The only wrapping is a bow, so she doesn’t have to open it to know what I got her. Her hand flies over her mouth, and she makes a noise that sounds like something between a cry and a laugh.
Sitting in front of the tree is a pink cruiser bike with a white wicker basket, a bigger version of the one she wanted when we were kids.
I’ve had it hidden behind some boxes in my garage since Skylar and I went shopping a few days ago. The night Skylar was mad at me, I attached the basket, making sure the tires were filled and it looked perfect. I watch her run her fingers across the seat, the handlebars, still not realizing that I’m here. “Skylar,” I whisper, getting up from my chair.
She jumps slightly then turns to me, her hand over her chest. “What are you doing here?” she asks.
“You told me to give you your gift after the party,” I say, smiling at her.
She bursts into tears. There’s no other way to describe it. Okay, so not exactly the reaction I was hoping for, but I rush to her just the same. Her hands cling to my shirt as her head buries in my chest.
“I didn’t want to cry anymore tonight,” she sobs.
Holding her face in my hands, I use my thumbs to wipe away her tears. “It’s always been you, Skylar. It always will be. I’m not leaving here until you come with me.”
“Jax,” she whispers. “This is . . . Thank you.” She glances back at her gift. “Did you get yourself a neon green one?”
Grinning, I say, “They didn’t have that color. I had to settle for blue.” I take her hand. “Together. That’s what you wanted, remember?”
She nods, and I take a breath. I’ve given a lot of speeches in my life, but this one needs to outdo all of them combined. This one determines the rest of my life. I need to make her understand how much I love her. I need her to let go of her guilt about Luke. I need to convince her that I’m the man for her.
I’m a smooth talker. Always have been. I can usually talk my way out of any situation, but it seems now all my charms have left me. All the bullshit, all the rules, all I am right now is a man in love with a woman.
She rescues me, placing her hands on my cheeks. That’s what the right woman does for a man. She rescues you from your bullshit, your bachelor life, your past—whatever it is that holds you back.
“I love you, too, Jax,” she says, smiling. “I didn’t leave tonight because I don’t love you, or didn’t want to be with you. I left because I love you. And I�
��m not sure I’m ready for it.”
The only plan I’ve got here is to make it impossible for her to leave, and the only way I know to do that is brute strength, and I’m not referring to physical strength, but strength of heart. “You have to be,” I say. “I won’t have it any other way.”
She laughs a little, shaking her head at me. “You’re either the love of my life or my biggest mistake.”
“Probably both,” I tease her.
“Jax,” she says, playfully pushing my shoulder, but I take her in my arms.
“You are my biggest mistake,” I say softly. “Not telling you how I felt all those years ago. Letting some stupid rule get in the way. I won’t make the same mistake twice. You are the love of my life, and nothing is going to get in the way of that, not even you.”
When that one dimple of hers pops out, I know I have her.
Gentleman’s Rule—When you find the right woman, never let go.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SIX MONTHS LATER
JAX
“It’s a girl!”
Tears running down her face, I place a hard kiss on Skylar’s lips. “A girl,” she whispers.
I wipe her cheeks, wondering what her reaction will be when it’s her own child being born, if she’s this overjoyed at Malcolm and Maci’s third.
“How’s Maci?” Skylar asks.
Malcolm fills everyone in on the delivery, which was much easier than with the twins. The waiting room is filled with Malcolm and Maci’s parents, other relatives, and friends—me, Skylar, and Luke included. He just happened to be in town when Maci went into labor.
Skylar and I hadn’t seen him since Christmas Day. We were shocked to see him here today. It’s been six months. Other than the polite smile they exchanged when he walked in, there’s been no other contact. I know she hates that our relationship started off at Luke’s expense, and I know she hates the awkward silence between them.
I shake Malcolm’s hand, and Skylar gives him a huge hug. “When can we see Maci and . . ?”
“No name yet,” he says. “Maci can’t make up her mind. Grandparents first.”
Another round of congratulations and the parade of visitors starts. Unfortunately, that removes some of the buffer between Luke and us. Skylar gives my hand a squeeze. “It’s such a happy occasion,” Skylar says. “Maybe . . .”
I’m not about to let her face that alone, so I stand by her side as we cross the room toward Luke, even though I know there’s nothing that can really bridge the distance between us. I think Skylar knows that, too, but that doesn’t stop her from trying.
“Luke,” I say, stretching out my hand.
He stares down at it for a second. I feel the same way. It’s weird to be in the same room after all this time, but I know this is important to Skylar.
He leaves me hanging, instead choosing to give me a nod. “Jax.” Then his eyes land on Skylar. It’s obvious she and I are still together, and the pain of that still resonates in his eyes. “I saw your new baby products in a store in Paris,” he says softly.
Apparently even an ocean can’t keep Skylar out of his life. She smiles, telling him about how well things are going for her and Maci and their business. I’m damn proud of her, and I can tell Luke is, too. At least we have that in common.
He still has a soft spot for Skylar. Maybe he always will. I, on the other hand, have become the one he blames, which is fine with me. As long as he’s kind to Skylar in these awkward moments, then he can blame me all he wants.
“How’s Paris?” Skylar asks.
It’s the exact kind of inane, bullshit conversation I hate having, and it’s sad that I’m doing it with one of my oldest friends. Still, I would do it all again to be where I am with Skylar. Career-wise, we are both doing well. The house finally got totally furnished, and Skylar moved back to Waterscape.
Crazy woman thought she was going to rent an apartment when she moved back. I asked her to move in with me, but she said no. So she stayed with me while she searched for a place. Six months later, she’s still there. Her clothes are beside mine in the closet, her car is parked next to mine in the garage, and best of all, I wake up beside her in bed every morning. She’s not going anywhere.
“Who’s next?” Malcolm asks, coming into the waiting room, eyeing the three of us. I’m sure he’s hoping that we don’t come to blows celebrating his daughter’s birth.
“Go ahead,” Skylar says, motioning to Luke.
“Thanks,” he says, reaching out toward Skylar, but he pulls himself back. Some habits are hard to break. Another nod in my direction, and Luke disappears down the hospital corridor.
Malcolm turns to follow him, as Skylar calls out, “Malcolm, does Maci really not have a name?”
He exhales, stepping toward us. “She does.”
“Is it something weird?” I ask.
He glances at Skylar, and I’m not sure why. Do they want to name the baby after her? “Maci wants to use your baby name?”
“What baby name?” I ask, my eyes flying to her stomach.
Skylar just shrugs her shoulders. “I’m not sure what she’s talking about.”
Malcolm wrings his hands together. He looks completely exhausted, and he’s not the one who gave birth. “Sailor,” he says. “Maci said that was always your name for your daughter one day.”
Skylar’s face blossoms into a huge smile. “When we were in preschool and played with dolls!”
“So you don’t care if we name her Sailor?” Malcolm asks.
“No,” Skylar says. “Of course not.”
Relief floods Malcolm’s face. “Maci loves the name but wouldn’t use it because of you.”
“She’s a good friend,” Skylar says with a smile. “It’s fine. Go name your daughter.”
He rushes out the door. Skylar shakes her head, and I wrap my arms around her waist. “Skylar and Sailor?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“It was cute when I was six!” she laughs.
“When we have a baby, we aren’t naming him or her any of that weird shit. Nothing after a fruit or something you need a dictionary to pronounce,” I say. Skylar’s face has the strangest look. Her dimple is out, so I think she’s happy, but her eyes look like I’m in trouble. “What?”
“When we have a baby,” she says, repeating what I didn’t realize I said.
Skylar pregnant with my baby? That’s not a bad thought. Not at all. “I guess we should do the traditional thing and get married first,” I tease.
“Probably so,” she says with a laugh.
The Gentleman’s Rules for getting engaged have changed over the years. I’ve recommended everything from well-thought-out proposals to spur-of-the-moment ones. I know that Skylar thought a lot about getting engaged in the past, so I have to top all of that. I have to do something that she won’t expect. The truth is, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to ask her. Hell, I’ve been thinking about it since last Christmas. But there are only two words that I need to say.
“Marry me?” I ask, falling to one knee.
EPILOGUE
JAX
Gentleman’s Rule for a wedding—Stay the hell out of the way!
“Five minutes,” Malcolm says, slapping my shoulder. Maci has threatened him within an inch of his life if I’m late to my own wedding. She informed her husband that she was holding him personally responsible, so the poor guy is a nervous wreck.
Skylar is not the bridezilla in our wedding. It’s Maci, who even with a newborn has taken it upon herself to handle most of the planning. Well, that’s not entirely fair. She’s taken it upon herself to make Skylar’s wedding day everything Skylar wants it to be. Since Skylar’s mom can’t do a lot physically, Maci has been the go-between, making sure that everyone’s vision is carried out.
I’ve got the honeymoon covered! Once Maci let it slip that she and Malcolm didn’t have sex on their wedding night because they were too exhausted, I devised a plan. Wedding early in the day, so as not to interfere with the wedding nig
ht.
Maci informed me several times that six months was not long enough to plan a wedding, but there was no way we were going to postpone. Christmas is just a couple days away, and we’ll be spending it on our honeymoon. Where exactly, only I know. I wanted to surprise Skylar. We’re getting married on the anniversary of the day that I picked her up at the airport. Let’s hope she doesn’t throw up today like she did then.
“Ready?” Malcolm asks.
I nod, heading out to take my place at the altar. In just a few short minutes, I’ll have a ring on my left hand. To some guys that symbolizes a life sentence, but I can’t wait. I’m so fucking proud that’s she’s going to be my wife, there are no words.
We’re getting married in a little chapel in Waterscape that overlooks the water. The church is covered in white irises. White petals are scattered on the floor. It almost looks like snow. The chapel is small, which is perfect for us. Malcolm is my best man, Maci is her matron of honor, and that’s the entire wedding party except for Harper, Parker, and Sailor, who are serving as the flower girls and ring bearer.
I see Maci in the back of the chapel, encouraging Harper and Parker, who are pulling a little white wagon with their baby sister in it. Every person in the church collectively sighs, they’re so damn cute. My mom winks at me from the front row, and I know she’s thinking that I’m next for kids. All in good time!
The kids safely make it to the front, then Maci starts down the aisle. I look over at Malcolm next to me, a big smile on his face. I’m sure he’s remembering when the roles were reversed, and I stood by his side when he married the love of his life. They were barely twenty-two at the time.
Of course, back then Luke was standing with us.
I’m sure he’s aware that Skylar and I are getting married, but we haven’t seen or heard from him since Sailor was born. I know he stays in touch with Malcolm.
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