Page 42 of What Happens In Vegas: Jessa & Jaxon
“I don’t understand.”
“Her being my date, this last-minute birthday party, even her stumble was all Antonio’s idea.” Jaxon looks both guilty and amused. “He was convinced you needed a push to admit your feelings.”
I glance across the room where Antonio stands watching us, champagne glass raised in victory.
“So you’ve been playing me this entire night?” I ask, trying to sound stern despite my laughter.
“Not playing you,” Jaxon corrects. “Creating an environment where you might reconsider your position on our marriage.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
“You’re not mad?” Jaxon looks relieved.
“Are you kidding? It worked, didn’t it?” I shake my head. “Antonio must be insufferable right now, thinking his plan was genius.”
“Oh, he definitely is. He’ll be bringing this up at every dinner party for the next decade.”
“Worth it,” I say, stretching up to kiss him. “But remind me to never tell him when we’re actually fighting. He might hire an entire theater company next time.”
Jaxon laughs against my lips. “Deal.”
“I finally figured it out.”
“What?”
“My nickname. You’ve been calling me Jessa Jamison for years.”
A slow smile spreads across his face, reaching his eyes and making them crinkle at the corners. “If you want something as badly as I wanted you, you put it out there in the universe, Mrs. Jamison.”
I pull back. “I got the job!”
“Congrats, my love.” Pride radiated from him as his hands tightened on my waist. “I knew you could do it.”
“I love you, Mr. Jamison.” The words feel right, perfect, as though I’d been meant to say them all along.
“I love you more, baby.”
His mouth slants over mine, setting fire to my senses, and the crowd erupts in applause. But Jaxon wasn’t done. He reachedinto his jacket pocket, pulled out a small velvet box, and, never breaking our gaze, lowered himself to one knee.
The room collectively gasped. My hand flies to my mouth.
“I know we’re already married,” he says, voice rough with emotion, “but I never got the chance to ask you properly.” His fingers tighten around mine. “JJ, that week with you wasn’t just the best of my life. It was the first time I’ve ever felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.”
I bite my lip, my vision blurring with tears.
“Jessa Jamison. My wife. Will you let me love you for the rest of our lives?”
Joy explodes inside me. “Yes! I’ll go on dates with you, move in with you, and have five babies with you!” I exclaim, unable to contain the happiness spilling over.
“Not all at once, I hope!” my brother says, earning laughter from the crowd.
Jaxon stands, sliding the ring onto my finger where it belongs. The weight of it felt significant, a tangible promise. He is mine, and I am his, for better or worse, in sickness and health, till death do us part. My heart swells with happiness so profound it borders on pain.
He lifts me off my feet, twirls me in a circle, then steals my breath with a kiss. Everything beyond the circle of his arms fades away and nothing exists but us and the beautiful, unexpected future stretching out before us.
Epilogue
The Maldivian sun kissesJJ’s skin, turning it a shade of honey-gold that makes my mouth water. I watch her from behind my sunglasses as she laughs at something the waiter says. She’s stretched out on a lounger, a white bikini against her brown skin.
