Page 125 of The Quit List
I hope that he’s not nervous about taking me on whatever hiking route he’s chosen today. He loves helping me push my limits, and is always showing me what I can achieve when I put my mind to it. It’s one of the things I love most about him—for so long, I believed the man was saving me, but ultimately, while he still catches me whenever I fall (both figuratively and literally), he’s done so much more than save me.
He’s helped empower me so I can save myself.
He’s my biggest cheerleader, and I’m his.
Now his gray eyes crinkle at the corners and his expression softens as he looks at me, all signs of potential nervousness melting away. “Hi, beautiful. And it’s a surprise.”
“I like surprises,” I tell him as I place my hand in his and stand on tiptoe to kiss him. I’m expecting a peck, but he threads his hand through my hair, sliding to the nape of my neck and anchoring there as he kisses me until my head is spinning and I can’t catch my breath.
After six months together, the sparks and fireworks and romance aren’t just present, they’re bigger and better than ever.
“What was that for?” I gasp when he finally releases me.
He grins that irresistible grin of his—the one that’s sweet and overconfident and sexy and brave and bashful and teasing and genuine, all at once. “Because I love you.”
I never knew I could be this happy, this content… without any kind of plan.
We’re both working on our businesses every day, enjoying the satisfaction they’re bringing us, but choosing to put each other first. We make sure we are prioritizing our relationship, while still working on ourselves and our dreams.
And let me tell you—it works.
I spend my time between the cabin and Atlanta, going back to the city every time I need to meet a client. Or if I miss Mindy, Aubrey, my niece and nephew. Or if I’m simply craving a McDonald’s milkshake.
Jax comes with me when he can, and on those trips, we go see Maddie and Seb too.
He, in turn, spends his time between the cabin and taking guests on multi-night hikes. Sometimes I join him, sometimes I go back to the city when he’s out on an excursion.
We miss each other when we’re apart, but we know that the distance will make it all the sweeter when we’re reunited.
Our relationship isn’t perfect—because, as Jax says, perfect in itself doesn’t exist—but it’s perfect for us, because we’re perfect for each other. And that’s what matters.
“What’re you thinking about?” Jax asks me with a half-smile as we make our way down the trail, hand in hand. Rick trots in front of us as the afternoon sun warms our shoulders. “You seem so lost in thought right now.”
“Just thinking about how happy I am,” I tell him, and he squeezes my hand.
“I’m happy, too. The happiest I’ve ever been.”
I squeeze back. “Do you feel like going back to Atlanta with me tomorrow? Maddie was asking if we’d visit her and Seb soon. She must be just about ready to pop.”
“Three more weeks,” Jax says with a look of mild concern. “Then, I will officially be a godfather.”
“You’ll crush it. You were so good with Sage and Sawyer when they came out here.”
Jax snorts. “If you count Sawyer falling in the creek six times as me being good with kids, then sure.”
I wave a hand. “He was wearing his life jacket, and it was only, like, three inches of water. Not your fault he has no balance.”
“Toddlers can drown in just three inches of water, you know,” Jax says gravely. I don’t have a clue how he knows this, but it’s adorable that he does.
“Good thing you were there to fish him out every time he face-planted.”
He laughs, then murmurs, “Showing up when it matters.”
“Exactly.”
We continue the rest of our hike in the same manner, slogging slowly upwards as we talk and laugh and the sun dips lower in the sky on another beautiful day together.
A half hour later, the trail snakes around a corner, the trees part, and we pop out at the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. This viewpoint puts us high above the surrounding forest, and we can see for miles around. The sun is setting over the distant horizon, casting shades of pink and orange and purple across the sky like it’s been painted.