Page 120 of First in Line

“If those otherfourtimes today didn’t count, I’m a little scared to know what you have in mind.”

“Oh, don’t worry, princess. You’ll love every minute of it. Or I should probably say every hour.”

Her protest turns into a giggle when I lean in to reclaim her lips as I adjust her underneath me.

She’s giving us another chance to make it work. A real one, not just a two-week trip. I have six months to prove to her that we can be together again, that past mistakes won’t be repeated, and that she’ll always come first. I will do all that and more. Noway I’ll risk it again. Not when spending the rest of my life with this incredible woman is on the line.

That might be my greatest win in life. More than any trophy, prize, or title I’ve ever won.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-TWO

Evangeline

“And this is a third bedroom. Again, January is the worst month over here, but look at the light coming in,” the realtor explains with a strong French accent. “Of course, this is listed as a bedroom, but if children aren’t in the picture for now, it would make a great home office.”

“We’ll likely move out by the time we have kids,” Jackson says, before turning to me. “Right, princess?”

“Uh … yes.”

I’m a little distracted, dazzled by this house and how big it is. We’re both still jet-lagged, having only arrived a few days ago.

We sold most of our things back in Indiana, but a few boxes of our belongings will arrive in Belgium in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, we have four huge suitcases full of stuff with us, which should be enough until then.

“Do you like it?” Jax asks, taking a couple of steps toward me.

I can’t quite contain the doubt in my voice as I answer, “Yes, it’s—it’s beautiful.”

Sensing my reluctance, he turns to the realtor and asks, “Would you mind giving us a moment?”

“Of course. I’ll be downstairs when you need me.”

As soon as we’re alone, he grabs my shoulders, forcing me to stop looking around and face him instead.

“What is it, princess? Talk to me.”

“Nothing, I—I really like it.”

“But …?”

“It’s huge, Jax. Are you sure we can afford the rent?”

He chuckles, amused by my concerns. This place could easily fit a family of six. Renting it just for the two of us seems not only pointless but also financially irresponsible.

“I’m in Formula 2 now, princess,” Jax gently reminds me with an indulgent smile. “Of course we can afford it. We’ll go slow with furnishing it, but the rent really won’t be a problem.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. You’ve seen the contracts. Sponsor money will pour in as soon as the season starts. And the prize money is far better in Formula 2, so if it all goes well, I’ll be earning a lot there.”

Still hesitant, I glance around. “Maybe we should downsize at first, and once we’re absolutely certain we’ll be fine, look for a bigger place.”

“Don’t you like this one?”

“I do. It’s gorgeous. But it’s too much, isn’t it?”

After a couple of seconds, he takes my hand and says, “Let’s go see the main bedroom again.”