So I pull back and look Jax in the eye as I confess, "Sometimes I worry that this much happiness isn't sustainable. That we're in the honeymoon phase right now but that it's not always going to feel like this, that you won't always look at me like you want to devour me, and… I don't know, I'm just worried it's too good to be true."
Jax doesn't brush off my concern. He nods, as if he completely understands, and tightens his arms around me.
"I know why you're worried, but do you ever think that itissustainable? That maybe the honeymoon phase is for couples that aren't 100% right for each other the way that we are?" He pauses to actually let me think about it. "Because if I think about it, I can't picture a day where I love you even an ounce less than I do right now. And Idefinitelylove you more today than I did yesterday. Or six months ago. Don't you?"
I nod my head immediately—of course I feel the same way. Every day, I think I can't love him more, and every day, I fall more in love with him. Of course I can't picture a day where I love him any less.
He tightens his hug again. "This isn't a honeymoon phase, baby girl. This is our new normal. It's okay to get used to it."
I nod again, this time in agreement. Though my days of worry are few and far between, he always knows exactly what to say to make me feel better—knows exactly how to put my mind at ease.
He presses a kiss to my hair. "Trust me enough to love you just as much today as I did yesterday."
Any remaining worry leaves my body in a whoosh. Then I'm weaving my arms behind Jax's neck and pushing up on my toes so I can better kiss him with all the love I can muster in a kiss.
"I love you," I whisper against his lips, my kiss becoming urgent. Urgently trying to express just how big my feelings for him are. "Today, tomorrow, and every day after that."
His mouth curves against mine in a smile. His arms tighten around my waist, and I know he loves these moments when I'm overwhelmed with affection for him. "I love you too, baby girl," he murmurs against my eager lips. "Always. Forever."
When I finally pull back, it's just in time, because another call comes for us from downstairs. I untangle my arms from around Jax and step back, though he only lets me go so far since he keeps a hold of my hand. "We should go before she sends Grandma Birdie to come looking for us," I say with a chuckle.
Jax smiles, and with that one smile, I wonder how I ever thought my love for this man could fade. He squeezes my hand and checks in with me one last time. "Good?" he murmurs.
I smile and nod. "I'm good," I whisper.
* * *
Mrs. Turner is pulling a casserole out of the oven when we finally walk into the kitchen.
"Oh, there you two are," she says with a big smile. "Did you have fun looking through high school yearbooks? He and Remy were a terror during those years. But I could've sworn there were a few with Hailey in them too. Did you find them?"
Jax's lips twitch as he fights a smile. "Yeah, we had fun looking through the yearbooks." He ignores my pinch to his side. "Do you need help with anything, Mom?"
She gives him a grateful smile. "If you could set the table, that would be great."
Jax nods and makes his way toward the cabinets. But as he walks by her, he pauses to give her a peck on the cheek. She smiles at him in return.
"So, Hailey, how are you?" she asks me as she pulls off her oven mitts and gives me her full attention. "What's new in your life? Are you still living with Remy?"
I shake my head. "No, I found my own place a few months ago. I'm still in South Philly, but I live on my own now."
Mrs. Turner twists to look at Jax where he's counting out utensils. "That reminds me, are you and Tristan going to renew your lease? It's up soon, isn't it?"
Jax and I exchange a look, a smile tugging at his lips. "We're not going to renew. I'm sick of living with men."
I look down with a smile, feeling my face flame with warmth. Even the thought of living with Jax makes me deliriously happy.
Mrs. Turner nods solemnly. "I can appreciate that concern."
"Oh, please," sounds Mr. Turner as he walks into the kitchen. "If it wasn't for me, you would have overgrown grass, spiders would be running rampant in the house, and you'd have no one to make fun of those horrible reality TV shows with that you refuse to admit you like." I practically melt when he kisses his blushing wife and chuckles.
She swats at his chest, a smile creeping onto her face. "They'renothorrible," she murmurs.
Jax claps his dad on the shoulder as he passes him to grab glassware. "Ask Hailey how work's been going, Mom."
Mrs. Turner turns her attention back to me. "How's work? Are you still at that lovely little café?"
I nod. "I am. I'm actually in the process of buying it."