Page 242 of The Last Good Man

The door cracks open, and Jax fills the entryway, holding a bottle of wine.

“A housewarming gift,” he says as Ibreathe out asigh of relief.

He swaggers to me, smiling.

“I hope I didn’t scare you,” he says, setting the bottle on the island and splaying his fingers over my cheek before kissing my lips.

“You actually did. I thoughttheywere showing the place to someone else.”

He shoots an eyebrow up.

“You know… As a backup plan,” I say.

“There is no backup plan,” he mutters, tearing his hand away from me. “This sale will happen. I’m confident about it,” he asserts, moving toward the terrace.

“So you did have something to do with it.”

I pull up next to him and webothglance out.

“Life is easier when you have connections and people willing to help,” he says, not looking at me.

“And they usually do that when they’re afraid or need something from you.”

He cracks a smile.

“Or both,” I say, studying his profile.

“Yes, you have to be able to offer them something in exchange,” he murmurs absently, taking in the view.

Lights flicker in the distance while the city hums quietly.

“Have you imagined a life like this?” I ask, moving my eyes to him again.

“This?”

He peers at me.

“You mean Manhattan? Or having you with me?”

I laugh, flattered.

“I was talking about Manhattan.”

He moves his gaze back.

“As fascinating as it is, Manhattan has never been an unattainable dream for me. It was the city. Too expensive to live in. Too loud. Crazy at times. Exciting if you’re an adrenaline junkie. It’s the epitome of contrasts. You, on the other hand…” he says, smiling while evading my eyes. “I had no clue you’d come in this package. If someone had told me you’d be some hotshot executive, I would’ve laughedmy ass off.”

“This is only a side of me.”

“It’s you.”

“I’m not so sure.”

Our eyes connect.

“I was convinced this was all me,” I say. “Tall lattes, designer shoes, going for the kill in the industry, big bonuses in my bank account. It was all good. When you know what you’re doing, it’s also easy. But it’s not all there is. And when you came along, life threw a wrench into my plans for the future.”

“You’re trying to make me feel important,” he says with self-deprecating humor.

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