As Jax shoved some of his groceries away—he didn’t want anything to go bad in case he got distracted—Ari looked around the apartment. Jax bit his lip against defending his choice. Ari knew how expensive Boston was, and he could probably guess how short-term Jax’s needs were.
Jax put the milk and eggs in the fridge and shut it. The last of the groceries. He took a deep breath and stepped closer to Ari.
“So—”
“I’m sorry,” Ari blurted. He flushed slightly and looked away. “There is a lot I wanted to tell you, but that was at the top of the list. I’m sorry. You were right, I was useless at dinner with my parents. I shouldn’t have just sat there.”
Jax sighed and rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, well. I was also an ass. I should have believed you about how intense it would be. Also, being an ass just to prove a point wasn’t very productive. I forgot my pill that morning.”
Ari’s expression of dawning realization made him feel worse. “You know I would have understood if you’d wanted to cancel.”
“I know.” Jax huffed out a shaky breath. “Only I didn’t want your parents to think I was a flake. Ironic, I know.”
“A little,” Ari admitted. “Though somehow you’ve won over my mother. Not that I care, because I don’t need her permission to date anyone, but she’s decided she likes you.”
What on earth could Jax say to that? His mouth dropped open and he stared at Ari, flabbergasted. “What?”
“Did you really call her a dick?”
“Oh my God, shetold you that?” He was going to die of mortification.
“Yes. She apparently respects you for it.”
Who knew giving zero fucks could convince Nasreen Darvish to give him a second chance?
Ari waited for him to say something else. Jax licked his lips. “So did you come all the way here to apologize?”
“No.” Ari shook his head and took a step closer. When Jax didn’t back away, Ari took his hands. “I came here to tell you that I love you.”
Jax’s breath hitched. After all this time, had he really not gotten it so wrong after all? Was he really getting a second chance?
Ari wasn’t finished speaking. “And I want to be with you, and if you’re willing to try, I—”
“Yes,” Jax rasped before Ari got any further into what Jax was recognizing as anxious babble. “I mean, we totally have to talk stuff out and figure out how to avoid something like that dinner ever happening again.” That meant no sparks from Ari and no gasoline from Jax. Ari nodded. “But I’ve missed you.”
Ari stepped closer. Jax inched forward too.
“How much?” Ari asked.
“Huh?”
“How much did you miss me?”
“Enough to Instagram stalk you.”
Ari was closer still. “Yeah?”
“Enough to sing stupid breakup songs.”
“Angry ones at the bar?” Ari’s face was within touching distance now.
Jax nodded. “Enough to leave London a few days earlier than planned.”
“I tried calling you the day you left. I wanted to see you. To tell you how much I love you.”
Jax launched himself into Ari’s arms.
His mouth was as warm and giving as always, as Ari eased Jax’s lips apart and slid their tongues together. Every press, slide, and lick seemed to sayI’m sorry, andforgive me, andlet’s try again. Jax whimpered and tried to replyme tooandme tooandyesandyesandyes.
