Jesse The backyard looked like something out of a ghost story, all dead grass, overgrown hedges, and a fence that leaned so much, it might fall over if someone just looked at it too hard. At some point in the last fifty years, I was pretty sure there would’ve been a swing-set in this yard, but there sure wasn’t anymore. Not right now, anyway. I tossed a ball for Hubert, watching him sprint after it across the would- be lawn like it was a football field. At least he didn’t seem to mind the state of it. In fact, it looked like he loved his new home. Jacque and I had closed on this place last week, a stately, but severely neglected Victorian mansion in Riverside that we were going to turn into our dream home. Apparently. That was what Jacque had said, anyway. That it had good bones. Family bones. At the back of my mind, I was just wondering if that meant I’d have to trade in one of my sports cars for a minivan in the near future, but instead of being terrified about that prospect, I was excited. It was so weird what meeting that woman had done to me. Hubert brought the tennis ball back, his tail wagging like crazy. He watched me scoop it up again. I drew my arm back and launched the ball across the yard once more, and this time, it disappeared briefly into a patch of weeds. Hubert tore after it like his life d epended on retrieval and I chuckled as the late November air bit through my clothes. The house might currently be one strong breeze away from being declared a historical hazard, but at least the ghosts had probably been included in the purchase price. Besides, it had been a few weeks since our impromptu wedding and I was ready to lay down roots together. Anywhere. Even here. As long as it meant we would be doing it together, I was in. A huff of laughter came from behind me and I turned, already grinning. “There he is.” Will st epped out onto the back deck, his gaze swe eping over the yard like he was mentally cataloging every structural issue—and there were many. “You know there’s no insulation anywhere in the house, right?” he said by way of greeting. I pressed a hand to my chest, feigning offense. “Wow. Not even a hello?” “That was hello,” he shot back, chuckling. “Also, seriously, there’s none. I’m pretty sure the walls are just vibes too instead of being solid structures.”
“That’s great. I love an open-conc ept thermal experience.” Will snorted, st epping down off the deck and walking closer, his shoes crunching over gravel that should’ve been lawn. “I’m not joking, Jesse. It’s going to be freezing.” I shrugged, watching Hubert return triumphantly with the ball. “That’s pretty rich coming from a guy who lives in a black hole of maintenance otherwise known as an English castle.” He snorted. “Exactly. That’s why I know how construction works and that you’re going to need a lot of it.” I grinned, taking the ball from Hubert and tossing it again, a little farther this time. “Look, worst case scenario, fixing this place up bankrupts me.” Will glanced at me with one eyebrow arching. “Is that really the worst case? Because you and I both know this place won’t bankrupt you even if you knock it down and rebuild it from the ground up. It’s going to be a mess, but it won’t make a dent in your accounts.” “Okay, fine. That’s the second worst case anyway. The actual worst case is Jacque realizes she married an idiot and leaves me alone with it.” “Yeah, that’s unlikely. I’m rather sure she knew you were an idiot and married you anyway.” “One can hope.” I glanced back at the house, at the peeling paint, sagging gutters, and windows that definitely needed r eplacing. “I know it’s a lot, but we’ll get it done. I’ve already hired a crew to get started after Thanksgiving.” “You’re really good with that? Living in a house like this instead of an overly modernized penthouse with a spa and a gym in the building.” I huffed out a laugh. “No idea. Ask me again when I’m crying over contractor quotes.” “That seems fair. I’m happy for you, though. You’re going to have so much space, assuming the yard doesn’t eat you first.” He went quiet for a second. “Have you talked to Zach?” I shook my head. “No, not really.” “Not really?” “I mean, there’s been the stuff on the group chat. The logistics around you guys coming back home for Thanksgiving and whatnot, but that’s it.” I glanced at him. “You?” “Same.” After the gala, everyone had gone back to their own lives, their routines, and in Will’s case, another country. I hadn’t exactly been making the rounds either, focusing instead on lying low until the initial fervor had died down and then settling into life as a married man—and moving Jacque and Hubert into my condo for the time being.
“Do we need to be worried?” I asked, ke eping my tone casual. “With the Morris situation and the divorce. Do you think they’re going to come down on him? I was hoping that had all blown over.” Will exhaled through his nose as he considered it. “I’m not sure. They’ll push where they can, but you already did them a favor. Indirectly, but still. You bought them a few months away from being the main focus of the press. That should make them think twice about coming after Zach.” “Are you sure?” He met my gaze. “Yeah. I’m sure. At least, that’s my opinion.” “Alright,” I said. “Good.” He rocked back on his heels. “I think it’s mostly everyone tiptoeing around Zach now. He’s been acting like he’s completely fine, but I don’t think that’s true.” “Agreed,” I said immediately. “I think it’s just an act.” Hubert came charging back toward us again and I took the ball, but my focus wasn’t really on him anymore. “How about I check in on him more regularly from now on?” Will glanced at me. “Yeah?” “Yeah. I don’t buy this whole unaffected act, but it’s not just that. None of us have been there for each other like we should after Mom. I know I’ve been worse than everyone else, but still.” “True,” he said slowly. “I’ll try to be better too. Why don’t we start by me walking you through your house and pointing out all the stuff I think the contractors should pay special attention to?” “Because you’re such an expert?” He smirked. “No, because I live in a money pit too and I’ve learned a thing or two about what ends up costing more if you don’t get it done right the first time.” By the time I got back to the condo that night, the cold had settled de ep into my bones, but the second I st epped inside, I was flooded by warmth. Hubert barreled toward Jacque like we’d been gone for a year, making a beeline for where she was curled up on the couch. She laughed when he climbed half onto her, her hand sliding into his fur even as she lifted her gaze to meet mine. “Hey, you. How’d it go with Will?” “Hey.” I dropped down beside her without ceremony and pulled her into me like it was the most natural thing in the world, but at this point, it kind of was. “It went as well as it could, I guess. He’s not sure we’re not going to regret it, but neither am I.” She smiled up at me, her head resting lightly against my shoulder. “Neither am I, but I’m hopeful. It’s going to be an incredible home for our kids to grow up in and the yard is any dog’s dream.”
“Sure, but in the meantime, what are we going to do to ke ep ourselves busy?” I asked. “Other than work, I mean. I need a break.” Her lips curved into an amused smile. “Already?” “Yeah. We got married, bought a haunted mansion, and survived your dog’s judgment for not being invited to the ceremony, so what’s next?” She hummed thoughtfully, tilting her head. “Well, we could always go hunting for those chinchillas.” I snorted. “Ah, yes. A classic honeymoon activity.” “Very romantic,” she agreed. “I won’t lie. It’s tempting, but I feel like we should aim higher.” “Higher than chinchillas?” “Y ep.” She laughed, bringing her hand up to my chest and stroking these absent little circles that threatened to make me forget what we were talking about. “Okay, so if not chinchillas, what do you have in mind?” I shifted, turning fully toward her and bracing one hand against the back of the couch to cage her in. “Before I tell you, I have a question.” “Mm?” “How much do you trust our health insurance?” She blinked a few too many times. “That sounds dangerous.” “It can be, but I was thinking I could take you on our yacht.” I leaned closer, my voice dropping as I brought my mouth to her ear. “We could go on our honeymoon for a few weeks.” Her eyebrows lifted. “Our yacht?” “Our yacht,” I r epeated. “For a few weeks of sailing and exploring. Maybe even go on a few of those adventures we talked about. With Hubert, of course. He’s my st epson now. It would be weird not to include him.” She laughed and shook her head. “You sure do know the way to a girl’s heart, don’t you?” I grinned, dragging my lips from her ear to her mouth. “So, what do you think?” She smiled into the kiss. “I’ll go, but I have one condition.” “Anything you want. Just name it.” “I get to pick some of the stops.” “Done.” “Make that two conditions,” she said. “The other is that there won’t be any jumping off the yacht.” I pulled back to look at her. “That seems restrictive.” “You’re turning thirty-five. Don’t you think it’s time you start acting like it?” “I think I still need to make at least one more questionable decision.” She raised an eyebrow at me, humor twinkling in her eyes. “You’ve made several. I’d rather not lose you to one only weeks after marrying you.”
When she lifted a hand to my hair and stroked her fingers through it, I groaned and relented immediately. “Fine. No jumping.” “Good husband,” she teased. “No more concussions for you.” I leaned over to kiss her. For a second, I let myself think about all the choices I’d made, those that had gone sideways, those had had burned bridges or built them, and every decision I’d ever made that had led me here. And honestly, as reckless and irresponsible as some of them had been, I didn’t regret a single thing. Not if it meant I’d ended up on this couch, with my wife, with a house to renovate and a future to plan. Together.
Epilogue Jacqueline Jesse Westwood loved my office. He didn’t tolerate it or humor me by being here. He actually, truly loved it. He would spend the whole day here if he could with me. He’d just lounge in the sun streaming in through the windows, probably stretched out on the couch in my office while I worked, offering unhelpful commentary and stealing my snacks. But alas, he had an actual job. W&S would probably notice if their COO spent all his time at her law firm. Which meant that he had to settle for the occasional drop-in. Today was special, though. In two hours, we’d be gone for six whole weeks. The second he came through the doors, I knew he was here, judging by the compliments flowing in through my open door. “I like your shirt,” Bethany, the rec eptionist, said only seconds after the elevator had dinged. “It’s very festive and joyful. So you.” “Someone’s feeling bold today,” one of the associates teased. Jesse laughed. “This? This is art.” “It’s a cry for help,” someone else joked. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you,” he r eplied easily. I stood up, curious about what he could possibly be wearing to have elicited this kind of response. Heading over to my door, I leaned against the frame for a moment, taking a break from sending my last emails to peek out at him. The shirt truly was festive. Hawaiian and bright, it was completely ridiculous against the backdrop outside of a gray Chicago sky in winter, but if I had to be honest, he wore it like he was modeling a top designer’s newest line. Chuckling, I shook my head and went back to my laptop, knowing he’d probably been given hell for that shirt at his own office. But if anyone could pull off that look, it was my husband. He took his time chatting with my paralegal and my assistant, knowing I still had a few things to wrap up. I couldn’t wait to spend the next six weeks with him, just us and the ocean, but I still had so many last-minute things left to do. Refocusing on my screen, I finished off the last of my emails, my attention split between the conversation I’d just finished and the one I was about to start. “Alright,” I said, settling into my chair as the call I’d been expecting connected. “Let’s make this quick, gentlemen. I have a flight to catch.” Four men in suits blinked back at me from the screen, their faces all varying degrees of serious. We got through the first few minutes well, clarifying terms and confirming a few
final conditions, until the door to my office opened without so much as a knock. Jesse walked in with Hubert trotting hot on his heels, both of them immediately making themselves at home on my couch. I held up one finger without looking at them, continuing seamlessly with the meeting. “No, that clause doesn’t protect your client the way you think it does. It protects mine. If you want to renegotiate, we can, but it’ll cost you.” I suddenly heard movement and the faint clink of something being picked up. When I turned my head just slightly, I caught a glance of Jesse inspecting one of the small decorative pieces on my shelf. He raised his eyebrows when he caught me looking and I narrowed my eyes in warning, but he just smiled wider. He really is impatient today. “Mrs. Westwood,” one of the men on the screen started. “Yes?” I prompted when he didn’t continue, turning my attention back to them like nothing at all was happening in my office that was out of the ordinary. There was a pause on the screen, though. Every man’s eyes had flicked away from mine and I didn’t need to look to know why. Jesse had wandered closer and had wound up in the frame. I glanced briefly over my shoulder just to confirm, but y ep. He was standing just behind me with his hands in his pockets, looking extremely pleased with myself while four grown, powerful men suddenly seemed to forget how to breathe comfortably. I k ept my expression perfectly neutral. “Is there a problem?” “No,” the man said quickly. “No, of course not.” “Then let’s continue.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jesse lean down a little, peering at the screen like he was genuinely curious about the discussion. He even gave them a small wave and I kicked him lightly under the desk, but he didn’t move and I fought the urge to smile. The truth was that no one messed with Jesse Westwood’s wife. Part of that was because of him. His name and his presence, but the other part was something he’d recently taken upon himself to point out to me. R epeatedly. A lot of people wouldn’t mess with me simply because I was good at what I did. While I was honestly still trying to actually get myself to believe that, he sure made it easier to hold my chin up high. When the final points had been wrapped, I nodded. “Send the revised draft within the hour. If it’s acc eptable, we’ll execute before end of day. If not, we’ll revisit after I’m back.” “When will that be?” one of them asked. “Six weeks.” There was a flicker of surprise on their faces, but I just sent them a serene smile. “Do try not to miss me too much. We’ll talk
soon, gentlemen.” The call ended and I turned to look up at my gorgeous, impatient husband. “Did you really have to do all that?” Jesse grinned. “It got the job done, didn’t it? No one wasted our time by arguing about anything.” “Do you think you’re funny?” I asked. “They might not have argued, but I’d rather have had them argue now than try to find a way to weasel out of those clauses later.” “I am funny,” he said without skipping a beat. “Shamelessly so. It’s why you married me.” “You waved at them.” He shrugged a shoulder and pumped his eyebrows at me. “What? I know all of those guys. I’ve seen two of them naked in the locker room at the country club. And they looked tense.” I scoffed, grabbing my phone. “Never make me picture those old bull frogs naked.” “My apologies,” he said with a chuckle. I shot him a look, but he just grinned in response, as impossible as ever and yet, fortunately, entirely mine. I stood and smoothed my blazer, mentally already starting to run through my checklist. My bag was already packed, my desk cleared, and my out-of-office scheduled. “The jet is ready,” he said like he could read my mind. “We’re wheels up in an hour.” “Right.” I inhaled a de ep breath. We were heading away for our honeymoon on a private jet and yacht. It was all still extremely surreal, especially since everything had been moving so fast. Getting away with Jesse for six weeks would give us a chance to slow down and focus on each other. We were on our way to Miami first. Jesse was going to show me his old stomping grounds for a day or two before we took off for island-hopping and open water. We were finally going on our grand adventure. Excitement wound through me so tight, my heart skipped a few times. I glanced at my phone, cringed, then looked back up at him. “I just have one more call and then—” “No, you don’t.” I frowned. “Yes, I do.” He st epped in closer, bracing his hands on either side of my chair and effectively boxing me in until I sat back down. “No, you don’t. You’re all mine for the next six weeks.” My pulse stuttered. “That’s not how this works.” “It is now.” “One more meeting.” I tilted my head as I looked up at him. “That’s it. Just one and it’ll be quick.”
“No.” “You’re trying to kidnap me from my job.” “If that’s what it takes.” I laughed. “I have responsibilities.” “You’ve handled them,” he countered. “Exc eptionally, might I add. You deserve a break, Jacque.” “And we’re going to take one.” I held his eyes for a second longer. “It’s a ten-minute call.” He leaned in closer. “No.” I opened my mouth to argue, but Jesse was already lowering his lips to mine, presumably to cut me off, until Hubert wedged himself between us. There was no grace to it, just a clumsy shove as he forced his way into the space. I burst out laughing and Jesse groaned. “He has terrible timing.” “It serves you right for trying to cancel my last call.” I smiled and reached for the collar of his shirt, pulling him back down despite the massive dog between us. “I’ll make it quick. I promise. I just won’t be able to relax until I’ve checked that client off my list.” He sighed like he was making a great personal sacrifice, but then brushed a kiss to my lips and nodded. “Five minutes.” “Ten.” “Seven.” “Deal.” He pushed away from me and called Hubert over to the couch with him, scrolling through his phone before whisking me away precisely seven minutes and two seconds later. Stretched out on the upper deck of the yacht, I watched the sky above slowly transform from bright and cloudless into shades of gold and pink. Impossibly blue water stretched around us as far as the eye could see, so gorgeous that it was difficult to believe it was real. Jesse sat beside me, one hand loosely wrapped around mine and his thumb brushing absent patterns over my fingers. I turned my head to watch him instead of the sunset, my heart skipping at the softness of his features out here. There had been a time when I never thought I’d get to see him so completely relaxed and at ease, his lids half-shut and his face tipped toward the last warm rays of sunshine. His dark hair was still half damp from our swim earlier, his shirt hanging open where he lounged beside me. “I love you,” I said quietly. His gaze flicked to mine and he smiled. Just a small, almost disbelieving curve of his lips. “Yeah. I love you too.” He said it softly, but like it was the most certain thing in the world. He lifted our joined hands and brushed his lips across the back of mine. “Do you want to watch me jump off the yacht?” “No.” I frowned, sighing when his lips broke into a full, unashamed grin. “We had a deal.”
“Sure, but it’s a great view and that was before I saw how perfect the conditions are.” “So we’re going full reckless, no remorse today, huh?” I sighed and pushed myself up on one elbow, facing him. “Some might argue that there are no perfect conditions for something like that.” He laughed. “Come on. Live a little.” “I married you,” I pointed out. “I think that counts.” He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “At least think about it.” I shook my head, but I was also smiling. No matter how crazy his ideas, this was still exactly where I wanted to be, with exactly the person I wanted to be with, and if it came with the occasional side of reckless, then I guessed I would have to take a few leaps of faith with the man I loved. Things were looking up for us now. Even Mom had come around on the sudden marriage once I’d taken the time to explain to her how much Jesse and I cared about each other. She had made me promise to come see her and Jessica after the honeymoon. “Fine,” I told Jesse. “But if you break a leg, I’m only visiting you in hospital twice.” He groaned. “No, you won’t. You’ll probably move into the room with me.” I stroked my fingers into his hair and pulled his face to mine, speaking against his lips before I kissed him. “Probably, but that doesn’t mean I’ll enjoy it.” “Exc ept you will,” he murmured into the kiss. “Because I’ll be there.” Well, I wasn’t going to argue with that. The fact of the matter was that he had me there, and I would never again even try to deny it. *** Want more of Jesse and Jacquelines story? Download this Extended Epilogue today!! Get your copy HERE!!