Page 56 of Challenged By You
“And what a lovely way to end an evening.” Beaming, we exchange goodbyes before I close and lock the door behind her and just lean against it with my eyes closed.
I feel him, sense him, before I open my eyes. Looping my arms around his neck, I say, “All my life I put stock in what she said.”
“Well, it’s time to stop letting your mother—a woman who leaves a foul aftertaste on my palate—make you think any of you are less than what you are.”
I hesitate a heartbeat before asking, “What’s that?”
“I could give you a thousand flowery words, but the reality is you’ve created a loving family. And she doesn’t get to be the morality police, dismiss someone you engaged to spend the night with your children, and judge you, Trina. That’s not right.” Jonas tips his head back and swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the motion.
“I always hoped…”
“What, that you’d change her mind?” Jonas leans forward and captures my hands before continuing. “Trina, you’re beautiful, successful, a fantastic mother, and well respected. In other words, you’re everything she’s hungered her whole life to be.” He falls quiet while I absorb his words.
Finally it dawns on me what he’s saying. “You think she’s jealous of me?” I ask, incredulous.
“I don’t just think it. I think she’s done her damnedest to provoke you because then your life is no better than hers is. God forbid if you manage to succeed where she hasn’t.”
“But, why?”
“Because you refused to settle for second best.” Jonas scoffs. “I’m in your arms because you demand more from not just me, but everyone around you. You’re not selfish, anything but. And when your back is against the wall, you rise to every challenge you’re faced with. You constantly intrigue me—more so now. On top of which, you’rewafflycute.”
Jonas’s words warm me from the inside out. His arms are squeezing me so tightly, I have no option but to lean forward to impress my point on him. “I don’t want you to think I’m using you,” I confess.
“Using me? I’m looking for all the ways I can ingrain myself in your life. I’m worried the clock is ticking and when our time’s up, all that’s going to be left is you dashing off and I’ll be left behind.” His forehead touches mine.
I rear back. “That would be—”
“What?” His voice is cautious.
“Improbable. Ridiculous. You’re the man with the words. What one would you select?” I tease him.
“Relieving,” he counters immediately. “It’s nice to know you’ll accept help.”
“Help, yes, a handout…it’s not in me, Jonas.”
“And that’s one of the many things I admire about you.”
A smile twitches. “Want to name a few others?”
A gleam enters his eyes. “Just like a woman—give her one compliment and she wants more.”
I jerk my fists from behind his back and whack him. He wrenches my hands up above my head and tugs me toward him. He leans against my body, aligning us as if we were still in his bed. Both of our breath whooshes out as he does. “I’m scrambled over your eggs,” he informs me with complete seriousness.
To prevent the tears threatening from falling, I flippantly remark, “And here I thought you were going to admire the fact I managed to not have as many stretch marks as I feared.”
Somber as a judge, he tells me, “I hate to break it to you, but…”
“You fiend!” I laugh.
Banding an arm around my waist, he whispers, “I hope you look back on today as the perfect beginning it was supposed to be.” Passing his hand over my jaw, his eyes roam my face.
“I used to be so ashamed of where I came from. I wanted nothing but to escape, to stop the cycle for Annie and Chris.” My confession brings about a change in Jonas’s face. His eyes crinkle in the corners, and his lips part.
“Maybe you’re not the only one who’s been trying to figure out where they belonged.” Flipping me around so his back is against the door, Jonas presses his lips to mine gently before lifting his head.
“I need to go,” he says softly. Pain lances through me. I’m not sure what shows on my face, but before I can speak, he gets back in my space.
I put a hand against his chest and say quickly, “Thank you for today—” but he cuts me off.
