Page 72 of Forever Home

“Oh my gosh!” My mother coos as she places her hand upon Jaxson’s at the dinner table. “You’re amazing… but I wish you would have let me help prepare everything.”

“It’s the least I could do. You have been so kind to allow me to film in the bakery, and with all the time spent with Madi… cooking Thanksgiving dinner for you both is an honor.”

Hearing how well he and my mom get along is remarkable. Though my mother gets along with everyone, there’s something special about the connection she has with him. Her hand resting upon his cheek as they smile at each other. “You’re such a good boy, Jaxson. You always have been.”

I know how hard the holidays have been with his parents. Just yesterday, the two of us went to visit his mom. He’d been so excited to offer to cook dinner for her and his family, even though there was hesitation considering he knew how she felt about people in her kitchen—he had hope.

However, the moment the offer came out she looked at him in shock and turned her nose up at the idea. Jaxson refused to admit that it bothered him, but I saw it. I saw the look of defeat in his eyes at how his mother had acted, and it broke my heart. Even if he knew what she would do.

I mean, the woman even admitted to not counting on him for Thanksgiving dinner.Who the hell does that?

However, no matter how hard that was, my mother was quick to jump at the opportunity in telling him that he could cook Thanksgiving dinner for us at her house.

“Madi, this peach cobbler is amazing!” My mother states, both hers and Jaxson's eyes upon me. “Did you change the recipe?”

A small smirk crosses my lips as I nod. “I did… can either of you guess what I added this year?”

Jaxson finishes plating his and takes a bite while my mother takes another bite of her own. Both of them quiet as they savor the flavors. “You added cinnamon…” My mother comments, causing me to smile.

“Yes… and what else?”

She takes another moment before finally shrugging. “I don’t know…” Her eyes turn towards Jaxson. “Do you have an idea?”

“I do,” he replies, taking another bite. “She used heavy cream to give the crust a richer taste and a dash of orange extract to enhance the peach flavor.”

My eyes widen as does my smile. I hadn’t thought that he’d be able to guess it, but he did.

“Well now,” I mutter, lifting the hot cup of tea I’d made earlier to my lips. “You have been learning with all the cooking we’ve been doing.”

“I’d hope he is,” my mother chimes in. “How did the last session go Tuesday? You guys are finished now, right?”

A glance passes between Jaxson and me. The last filming session happened two days ago. The grand finale, a four-course Thanksgiving special that ended with Jaxson and me fucking in the bakery after the crew left, while in the middle of cleaning. A small tidbit I’ll never share with my mother because I can only imagine what the hell she would say about it.

“Yep, we did. All done.”

Soft laughter comes from Jaxson that causes my mother to crease her brows slightly before seemingly giving up on trying to guess the internal amusement flowing between him and me. For which I’m grateful. She knew that Jaxson and I were seeing each other, something I told her after the first night we’d slept together.

I thought she would have been shocked, but of course—she wasn’t.

Finishing off my tea, I stand to my feet and begin the process of cleaning. I collect the dishes and plates while my mother and Jaxson discuss her participation in the process. To which she, of course, loses and is forced to go sit within the living room with her feet up.

She isn’t even his mother, and yet, Jaxson treats her like she is. Part of me will never understand why his own mother can’t see how amazingly wonderful her son is. The lengths that he goes to for the people he loves…

“Everything okay?” Jaxson’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts as I stare out the kitchen window while washing the white porcelain dishes. Slowly, my gaze shifts to him as I nod.

No… you’re literally leaving in a few days.

“Yeah, why?” I lie, trying to shake the realization that our relationship is coming to a slow end. Every bit of me wants to break down crying, begging him not to leave. But then, I went into this knowing that it wasn’t going to be more than it is. So why let myself feel that way?

“You’re upset. I can see it.”

Staring at him, I let out a heavy breath. “It’s nothing, Jaxson. I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

Reaching out, he takes the tea towel from the counter and grasps my hands. Drying them off before pulling me towards him. His lips pressing against the top of my head as my face rests against his chest. The intimate and touching moment, making my emotions roll through me like an angry tidal wave demanding to break through the sea’s barrier walls.

“Please tell me what’s bothering you?” he asks, causing me to sigh. I want to tell him, but at the same time I don’t. I’m not the kind of person to share a burden of secrets like that only to have them feel guilty about what they're doing afterward. I mean, Jaxson has a life in New York. Who am I, to try and stop him from going back?

Pulling back, I stare up at him shaking my head. “It honestly isn’t important.”

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