Page 110 of Just Friends
I stifled a laugh. “Oh, yeah,that’swhat the people want to hear.”
“Maybe not,” he scoffed, “but it’s what theyshouldhear. I mean, hell, I wasn’t expecting this at all. But I guess no one ever said falling in love is supposed to be easy, eh?”
I shot a look at him, wondering if he realized what he’d just said. He was waiting for me. He nodded, letting me know it was no accident.
“I mean it,” he said softly. I’d never seen his eyes so clear, so serene. “My love for you has grown over the years. It started as a love for a friend, yeah, but it’s grown deeper and more meaningful than that. I didn’t realize it until that kiss woke me up, but …” he trailed off. “I’ve fallen for you, Pipes. I need you by my side.”
I couldn’t believe he’d said that—and yet I knewexactlyhow he felt. Maybe we were both completely nuts, but I didn’t care as long as we were completely nutstogether. But did he really want us to be together?
I gushed, heart throbbing. “What’re you saying, Jax?”
“I’m not saying, Pipes, I’m asking. And I’m asking you in front of everybody, so the whole world will know”—he smiled eagerly—“will you be my girlfriend?”
My elated heart jumped into my throat and with a joyous laugh, I shouted, “Yes, Jax!”
I pounced into him, my arms around his neck, my body weightless in his strong arms. Cradling my head, Jax pulled me in and his luscious lips grazed mine. His taste was electric, and a jolt jumped from his mouth to mine. Just like the first time he kissed me on the couch, he melted me with his sensuous, fiery kisses—onlythistime, the last thing I’d do was freak out and make him stop … until it dawned on me that we were still streaming, anyway.
As hard as it was to do, I broke off our kiss and whispered in his ear. “The stream, Jax.”
“Huh?” he murmured, his eyes on my mouth, and I knew he wanted more.
“We’re still live, big guy,” I said, slithering out of his arms.
Jax chuckled, glancing at the phone that was still clutched in his hand. “Oops. Oh yeah. Almost forgot about you guys. Guess they didn’t miss the big moment that time, eh.”
“No, I think everyone saw that,” I said.
He held the phone at arm’s length, aiming it at us again. He put his other arm around my shoulders. Smiling, I pulled myself close to my man—myboyfriend, though calling him that didn’t feel real just yet.
“So there you go, everybody,” he said, clearing his throat. “I told you I’d give you an update from the big date and here it is. First official Soulmate date, and first official Soulmate couple.”
“Actually, there’s at least one couple out there that beat us to the punch, apparently,” I said. “Shout-out to Ainsley’s friend back in Kansas.”
Jax tilted his head. “Huh. Really?”
“Yup. I guess some people gave Soulmate a shot after all.”
Jax shrugged at the camera. “Hear that, folks? It’s not just me and Piper; other people are finding love on Soulmate, too. So don’t be an ass. Give it a shot. Download it and give it a try.” He turned to me. “Anything you want to add, Pipes?”
“Hmm—oh, yeah! Guys, if you try it out and you end up liking it, it’d be super awesome if you left a rating in the app store.”
“Yeah, you guys gotta help us make up for all those assholes who one-star bombed us.” He gave a salute to the camera. “Alright. Later, people.”
I waved, too. “Bye.”
Jax ended the stream and pocketed his phone.
Now that the camera was off, I neared and ran my hands up and down his thick forearms. Even with me in heels, Jax stood a head taller than me.
“That was really cute,” I said, grinning up at him.
He let out a breath of relief. “Man, am I glad to hear you say that. I thought that stunt could’veeasilygone south and made you hate me even more.”
“I don’t think I’m capable of hating you, but yeah, that was risky. That stunt could’ve goneextremelysouth.” I laughed out loud. “So what made you decide to do that?”
“Well, first of all, I wanted to help you out with Soulmate. But more importantly”—he wrapped his arms around my back and pulled, squishing me tight against his muscular chest—“I knew I had to do something to show you that I mean it. I’m serious about you, Pipes. And I’m ready for a relationship.”
“You’re ready for a relationship even though you’ve never won a Stanley Cup?” I teased.
