Page 72 of Protecting Jess

Finn, aware Aunt Poppy was watching, pulled his mom close. “Mine, too. Thank you for loving me.”

“Always.”

He then turned to his aunt and hauled her close. By the end of the night, she would not only be his aunt, but also his future mother-in-law—provided Jess said yes—which he didn’t doubt she would. “Thank you for making the hardest decision in your life and thinking of me. I love you, Aunt Poppy.”

“Finn, I love you, too, and life worked out the way it was supposed to be. She’s going to say yes. She’s been waiting for months for you to ask.”

Finn laughed; he had waited a long time. Maybe too long. But he wanted Jess to not have any doubts.

They’d only just reconnected when he’d first talked about marriage. He had no doubts in his mind, and he didn’t believe Jess did, either, but he’d just wanted to wait.

“I know. But everything is settled now. She’s back to doing what she loves, and I’m doing what I love with a new team.”

“I know. We’ll meet you at the restaurant, okay?” his aunt said, with one last smile.

“Sounds good.” He gave his aunt another kiss and took a deep breath as everyone walked out. Then he made his way backstage and to his love.

Jess was riding high. Her first performance back was amazing. She’d nailed every part of her choreography. The company was celebrating together, but she wasn’t joining them. She was going to spend the night with the love of her life and her family.

Finn had been amazing. He’d stood by her side during the whole Daiken and Benita saga and her recovery. If not in person, then via constant phone calls and texts. The hardest had been when he’d had to go away on a couple of missions, but on his return, he’d flown over to see her.

His transfer to Virginia had finally come through and they were a lot closer now, not only in distance, but in their relationship, as well.

This time, she hadn’t had to go to court to testify against Daiken as he was declared unfit for a trial. He’d had a mental breakdown, and his family was getting him the help he needed.

Even with everything he’d done, she was glad his family hadn’t turned their back on him. Benita had been fired from Baxter Dance Company. Madame Baxter hadn’t liked what’d happened, or that Benita’s jealousy had almost caused the death of one of her dancers.

Jess felt a smidgeon of sympathy for her fellow dancer, but she’d been nothing but nice to Benita, whereas Benita had always been a bitch to her and most of the other female dancers. It hadn’t been Jess’s fault that she’d taken Benita’s place.

“You were magnificent, Jessica. I’m very glad you are back and are showing no signs of your injury.” Madame Baxter came up to Jess while she packed her things, ready to go to meet her family.

“Thank you. And, again, thank you for giving me the chance to recover and prove that you weren’t wrong in giving me the lead dancer role.”

“I never had any doubt. Make sure you rest. There is a lot of dancing ahead of you.”

“I will.”

Madame Baxter nodded and drifted away.

Jess zipped her bag up and slipped it over her shoulder. Her arm ached a little, but nothing ice wouldn’t fix.

She couldn’t wait to get outside to see her family. Most of all, she couldn’t wait to see Finn. Feel his arms around her.

Would tonight be the night?

She’d waited patiently for a proposal. They’d talked about it, and both knew that was where the relationship was headed, but there was a lot to get through.

So much had happened after they’d reconnected, so taking time to get to know the adult versions of themselves, not to mention the distance between them and her injury, made sense.

Jess was getting impatient now. Finn was on a new team in Virginia and thriving. Her career was back on track.

She walked out the door and met the gaze of her man, leaning against the wall, arms crossed casually over his chest. A closed-off position to some, but to her, she loved it when he posed like this. He looked sexy, remote, and mysterious—and he was all hers.

A second later, she was wrapped up in those arms she’d admired, and their lips were fused together.

This was how she always wanted to be greeted after a show. Although it wouldn’t happen because of Finn’s career. He couldn’t follow her everywhere, but she knew every chance he could, he would get to a show.

“You were amazing, popsicle. I’m in awe of you and your talent.”

---