“That’s the last thing I want. I don’t want to deal with them, and I have no desire for you to meet them because I’m not proud of them. And frankly, I’m worried they’ll be unkind to you. The last thing I ever want to do is put you in a situation to be hurt by anyone.”
My heart aches at his words, but for the first time, I understand what he’s getting out of this. He might not be able to put it into words, but this is what he’s been searching for. What he’s wanted. Support. A family. A home.
I’ll happily give him all of that.
“You’re not alone,” I whisper. “You have a beautiful friend group. They love you like a family should. But you also have me. I’m your family now too. And so is my dad. If you want that type of relationship with him, he’ll give it to you without a second thought.”
He tucks some hair behind my ear, looking at me reverently. “You have a beautiful heart, and you’re way too good for me.”
I stare up at him. “And I’ve spent the last week thinking you’re giving me more than I’m giving you. We’ve both been wrong.”
His eyes meet mine for another beat, then he softly nods, running his fingers up and down my arm.
I snuggle close and hand him the remote. “It’sMandaloriantime. I need to know what happens next, and you need to impress me with more random details.”
Some of the sadness washes away. “I’d be happy to.”
When our showsare done for the night, Justin turns off the TV and reaches for the pillows, to start making our bed, but I grab his hand.
“Actually, I was thinking I’d like to sleep in my room tonight.”
His brows go up, then a touch of sadness ghosts his eyes.
I clear my throat and force myself to be a little vulnerable. He was so open with me earlier. If he says no, I’m strong enough to handle it.
“Um, would you sleep in there with me?”
His eyes lock on mine.
“Just in case I need… anything,” I whisper.
And just like that, the sadness is gone, and his eyes are bright again.
“If that’s where you want me, darlin’, that’s where I’ll be.”
I let out a shaky breath. “Okay. Good.”
While I get ready in the bathroom, Justin heads to my room, and when I walk in, I find the bed all set up with pillows to rest my arm on.
“I know you said your stuff is in the other bedside table, but I figured it was better to have your arm on the outside of the bed rather than the inside.”
“That’s fine. Thank you.”
He goes to get ready while I get settled in bed, and when he returns, he crawls into bed carefully, leaving space between us that feels cold and wrong.
Reaching over, I run my hand down his arm.
“You don’t have to be all stiff or keep space between us. No nuns are going to jump out of my closet and hit you with a ruler. We’ve been cuddled up on the couch all week. I can handle a little more.” I mash my lips together. “If you want.”
He gazes at me for a moment, then smiles softly and wraps an arm around me.
He doesn’t say anything, but I know what he’s thinking because it’s running through my mind too.
I could get used to this.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
JADE
