Mine Would Be You (44)

I don’t think I’ll ever deserve this sunshiny, selfless boy, but selfishly, I want him all to myself.

“Then a date you will get.”

Jackson’s face lights up, eyes sparkling with excitement, and the dimples pop immediately. The sight makes my stomach dip excitedly.

“Dreams do come true,” he murmurs as he moves closer to me, close enough to touch, and I’m unable to help the small laugh that escapes me. I stand, pushing myself off the desk.

“Happy to be of service.” Hesitantly, I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist. He tenses a bit, in surprise I think, before he returns the hug, and it’s like being enveloped by the sun. “Thank you for this weekend, Jackson.”

“Anytime, Scott,” he says softly as his warmth curls around me. He squeezes me tighter before his arms loosen. “I better get Rome home before he falls asleep again. Punk.”

I hit his chest lightly. “Be nice.”

“I am always nice.”

I roll my eyes and step back from him, but before I escape completely, he grips my wrist just a little tighter and leans forward. My breath hitches in my throat at the proximity, but he simply leans down and places a soft kiss on my cheek, pulling back with a smug smile.

“See you next Sunday. I’ll text you with the details.” He steps back, and I nod, my cheeks thoroughly warm. “Goodnight, Nina, and Jenko, of course.”

Jenko gives a quiet meow in return, and I shake my head, following him out. I make sure to lock the door behind him and Roman, who gives me a quick hug before he leaves. I turn to see Sloan curled up on the couch under a blanket, asleep again. I go over to her and shake her.

“Hey, do you wanna come sleep in my room tonight?”

Her curls move when she turns over. “Did you say yes to a date yet?” She yawns, and I laugh, unsure of how this is her first thought.

“Yes.”

She shoots up, wide awake. “You did?” I nod. She pulls me down into a hug, knocking the air out of me as we both land on the couch. “Nina, I’m so happy for you.”

Harper appears with a frown. “Hey, where’s my invite to the party?” She beelines for us and collapses next to us until we’re squished.

“It’s just a date,” I mumble, but inside as much as I’m nervous, I’m also excited. So excited.

“Yeah, but you deserve it. So much.” Harper pulls me into a hug this time, tightly.

Curled up with my best friends for life and the warmth of Jackson still lingering on my skin, I’ve never felt more welcome in my life. The drama sucked, but it also feels like a clean slate in a way. I’m walking away from Myles and whatever shitty things he wants to spit my way and into a different place with someone new.

Despite fear, I know I can’t let it stop me forever. It seems like if I stumble or fall, Jackson will be there to try and set me back on my feet.





“Hi, Mamá.”

I have to bite my lip to stop my groan from coming out as I step onto the subway and a flurry of Spanish comes out through my phone speakers.

“¿Porque no me hablaste de este chico? ¿Cómo dijo Harper que se llamaba? Jackson?” Why didn’t you tell me about this boy? What did Harper say his name was? Jackson?

I am going to slap Harper when I get home. It seems she may or may not have let some information slip about my new dating life.

This is the downside of Harper practically being their second daughter. My parents talk to her just as often as—if not more than—they talk to me. Most of the time it doesn’t bother me because Harper spent most of her life at my house and away from her deadbeat dad. Constant sleepovers, her own dresser, her own counter space in my bathroom. It’s usually only when she spills my personal information that I feel any semblance of annoyance. But she is practically my sister, so I guess it comes with the territory.

I take a deep breath. “Because I’m still figuring things out, Mamá. I barely even know what’s going on, but we have a date tomorrow.”

“¿Una cita?” She practically shouts through the phone, and I have to hold it away from my hear, praying that the other people around me can’t hear it. “¿Es guapo? ¿Estas emocionada?” A date? He’s handsome? Are you excited?

“Yes and yes. Just don’t tell dad, please. I’ll tell him.” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “But I did invite him to the Labor Day party.”

As I expected, she ignores my request to not tell Dad immediately. “Mi vida! Guess what?” she yells away from the phone, and I can just picture her dancing around the house until she finds my dad. “This is so exciting, mi amor. Although, you better bring him by before Labor Day. I want to meet him.”

“Mamá, I need you to breathe. Can I get through the date first?”

“Sure, sure. But if I have to hear from my sweet Harper, who actually loves me, again, I’ll never forget it.”

“Yes, Mamá. I’ve gotta go, I’m about to be home. Te amo,” I sigh into the phone and wait for her response before hanging up.

This week has been ridiculous. Work was insane; everyone is editing and writing and preparing for the September issue. The cover feature keeps being postponed, which is causing an unnecessary amount of stress on every single person in the office. And now, my wonderful mom—and dad—know that Jackson exists.