Page 108 of Say You Remember Me
My gaze dropped to the ring on my finger, and I swallowed hard. As strange as it was, I’d gotten used to wearing the huge thing. But I’d need to give it back to Ian when I got to Eden Falls.
After saying goodbye to Lexi and Noah, I stepped outside to where Jaxon and Grant were waiting in the truck. Grant waved eagerly from the backseat, his grin wide and infectious.
“Ready, Mom?” he called out.
“Ready,” I said, climbing into the passenger seat and buckling up. As Jaxon pulled out of the driveway, I glanced in the side mirror, watching my dad’s house grow smaller and smaller behind us.
Eden Falls was waiting. And so was Ian.
“Now I see why you were fine pretending to be this guy’s fiancée so soon after meeting him.” Jaxon let out a low whistle, his gaze sweeping over Ian’s sprawling property as his truck came to a stop in the circular driveway. “He’s loaded.”
“You know, not everything I do is about money, Jaxon,” I said, unable to keep the edge entirely out of my voice. “But yes, Ian has a very nice house.”
“Just saying, it’s quite the upgrade from Ridgewater.” Jaxon raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, it’s been a good move for me,” I said, trying my best to keep my tone steady. “But since we’re currently staying at Sloan’s house, and it’s just my Subaru that’s been staying at this property, my boss’s living situation doesn’t really affect me that much.”
And while I wanted to say a lot more, I left it at that. Jaxon had been nice enough to drive Grant and me all the way here. It wasn’t worth getting into an argument when we’d been on pleasant terms most of the drive.
Still, his assumption that I was after my boss’s money did sting a little—a reminder of how easily people could misinterpret my choices.
I’d told Jaxon the truth of my “fake engagement” after his friend sent him the gossip article the day after the story broke. He’d called me, asking if the headlines were true. Since we shared a son—and I didn’t want Grant hearing half-truths—I’d laid it all out for him. The fake engagement, the way it had spiraled out of control…everything.
Apparently, though, even with the truth, Jaxon still thought there was more to it. That maybe I’d seen an opportunity and taken it.
But before Jaxon could say anything else, the front door to Ian’s house opened, and Ian stepped outside. His presence shifted my mood instantly, the weight of irritation lifting as I took him in. Dressed casually but still exuding that effortless confidence, he made me feel lighter. Happier.
I climbed out of the truck, giving Ian a smile.
“Hey,” he said, returning my smile with a warm one of his own as he strode toward us. “Do you need help carrying your things to your car?”
“Sure.” I motioned toward the back of Jaxon’s truck. “They’re just in the back.”
I stood by, watching as Ian lifted our bags with ease. Grant ran over to his dad, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug.
“I love you, Dad,” Grant said, his voice muffled against Jaxon’s chest. “I’ll miss you.”
“I love you, too, bud,” Jaxon said, his hand resting lightly on Grant’s back. “You be good for your mom, okay?”
“I will.” Grant pulled back, and a pang of guilt hit me, watching them say goodbye. It wasn’t easy living an hour away from Jaxon and having Grant split his time between us.
But since Jaxon had been the first to move away from Ridgewater, and his new place was actually closer to Eden Falls than it was to Ridgewater, my move here had at least made it slightly better. Still, I knew the distance was hard on Grant sometimes.
“Thanks for driving us,” I said to Jaxon, giving him a small smile. “I appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” he said, his tone even. “Take care of yourself, Maddie.”
“You too,” I said, taking Grant’s hand and walking toward my car. Ian was waiting near the trunk, a sheepish expression on his face.
“I guess I need the keys to actually put these inside,” he said, holding up the bags.
“That might help.” I chuckled, fishing my keys out of my pocket and unlocking the trunk.
Ian loaded the bags inside, then closed the trunk with a soft click. “Before we head out, do you guys want to meet my cat? Satan’s been waiting for you.”
“Yes!” Grant’s face lit up with excitement, and I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.
We followed Ian inside, walking down a wide hallway toward the living room. The house was every bit as grand as I’d remembered, but it somehow felt even warmer this time.
