by Sophie Blue
“You ungrateful prick! I made you millions. I was an asset to your company! And you’re going to let the word of this whore…”
Before he can finish, Jackson lunges forward and punches him. I feel like I’m watching the scene play out in slow motion. One minute Paul is there spewing hate, the next he’s knocked out on the conservatory floor. Blinking in surprise, I look up at Jackson.
“Are you ok, sweetheart?” he asks and I break. I start sobbing uncontrollably and fling myself into his arms. He wraps his arms around me, soothing me and telling me it’s all ok. I relish the smell of him, the feel of his arms around me and the soothing sound of his voice.
“I missed you so much,” I cry into his shirt, clinging on to him like he may disappear at any minute.
“I missed you too, sweetheart. You should have told me what was going on.”
“I was scared you wouldn’t believe me. You’ve known Paul a long time, he said you’d never take my word over his.” Wiping at my eyes, I try to stop the flow of tears with little success.
“He was wrong. I will always believe you, Mia. You can always come to me.” He tilts my face up to look into his eyes and I see the sincerity shining in his baby blues. Leaning up on my tiptoes, I crash my lips to his and kiss him like it is the last chance I’ll get.
Chapter 31
Jackson
This afternoon didn’t quite go to plan. After speaking to Malcolm and finding out where I could find Mia, my plan was to show up and talk to her. Reassure her that Paul was no longer a part of our lives and tell her that I am head over heels in love with her. First, I had to pull Paul into the office and confront him. He denied it, of course, but I suspended him pending further investigation into the allegations that had been made against him. As one of them was from a former employee, we needed to look into it.
Once that was done, I headed to get my girl back. It was meant to be a romantic reunion. Instead, when I arrived at the house and saw the front door ajar and the small window to the left of it broken, my heart sunk. Hearing raised voices, I rushed inside to find Mia.
When I saw Paul in the conservatory backing her into the corner, I was livid. Hearing him spewing all sorts of rubbish to her, I wanted to tear him limb from limb. The ungrateful prick.
Once the police had arrived and we gave our statements, I took Mia home. Back to our penthouse. I smile to myself as I pour us both some coffee. Mia is curled up on the corner sofa and it feels like home again.
Walking over to the sofa, I hand her a mug and sit down beside her, sipping my own.
“You doing ok?” I ask her, reaching over and resting my hand on her thigh. She takes a sip of her coffee and nods at me.
“Yes, thank you. I’m so glad you got there when you did. I had no idea what I was going to do,” she says, tears welling up in her eyes again and it breaks my heart.
“It’s over now, Mia. Paul will no longer be in our lives. He has been fired from the company, the police have issued a restraining order. He’s gone, ok? You don’t need to worry about him anymore.” I reach over and stroke her cheek, loving how she leans into my touch like she craves it.
“Why did you come to Malcolm and Evelyn’s?” she asks, looking up at me with her gorgeous pools of chocolate.
“I came to find you and tell you that I knew what Paul had done. I knew how he had blackmailed you. When Malcolm told me, I was livid. I didn’t understand why you hadn’t come to me. But Paul’s a manipulative prick, and I know that he got in your head. But I promise you, Mia. If you had come to me, I would have believed you without a shadow of a doubt.”
“Because you knew about Paul?”
“No. Because I know you. I know you wouldn’t make that up. I trust you, Mia. With my house, my car, and my heart. I am crazy about you and I came over today to make sure you knew that. This place isn’t a home without you in it. I missed you more than anything.”
“I missed you too,” she admits, smiling up at me. “I was so scared, Jackson. I didn’t want you to throw me out and call me a liar, I didn’t want to sleep with Paul, and I didn’t want to lose you or hurt your business. I panicked. I didn’t know what to do so I ran.”
“I understand, I truly do. Just promise me next time that you’re unsure about something, you’ll run to me, not away from me. We can work through anything together, Mia. We’re a team.”
“I promise,” she agrees, looking up at me and smiling. Putting both of our mugs down, I draw her to me and kiss her like my life depends on it. And at this moment, I really think it does.
Pulling back when both of us are panting, I say, “I almost forgot, I got you something.”
“What’s that?” The breathlessness in her voice makes me chuckle and my chest swell with pride. I love how much I affect her. The feeling is definitely mutual.
Walking to the kitchen, I grab the white box on the counter and take it to her. She looks up at me in anticipation and I take the lid off.
“Chocolate cake?” The smile that lights up her face warms me to my very core.
“A wise woman once told me that the best apology a man can give should be delivered with a slice of chocolate cake.”
“You had nothing to apologise for. I’m the one who ran, I should be apologising.”
“No. You shouldn’t. If neither of us needs to apologise, how about we just enjoy the cake?” I suggest, wiggling my eyebrows at her. She never turns down cake.
Giggling she leans forward and sticks a finger in the icing. Licking it off of her digit, she looks me in the eye and says, “Delicious. And I know just where I want to spread it.”
Epilogue
Mia
The past six months have been like a dream. Jackson and I haven’t spent a night apart since he brought me back from Malcolm and Evelyn’s. Once we were ‘official’, I told Jackson I quit. I didn’t want to work for my boyfriend. He agreed and although I still do the cooking and cleaning, I do it because it’s my home and I like looking after my man, not because I’m being paid to.
Jackson insisted that I didn’t need to get another job, he said he wanted to take care of me. As sweet as it was, I don’t want to depend on anyone, so I still started the job at the bakery that Evelyn found for me. Combining my love of cake and my people skills is my dream job. Not to mention the staff discount!
Letting myself into the penthouse, I set down my bag and keys on the kitchen counter and take off my black heels.
“Jackson?” I call out, making my way further into the room and looking for him.
I notice the white box on the table and make my way over to it. Seeing the note lying on top of it, I pick it up.
Mia,
Six months ago, I told you I loved you.
Every day that has passed has only made me love you more.
I bought you a present.
J x
Smiling at his words, I set the note down and lift the lid off the white box. Inside is a marble cake. I hear his footsteps behind me and turn towards him.
“A wise woman once told me that a marble cake is good for engagements, it symbolises the joining of two people. The perfect blend of two flavours, just like a marriage is.” He takes my hand in his and drops to one knee. Gasping, my free hand flies to my mouth in shock.
“Mia, before you my life was simple. Dull. I lived and breathed my work. But you crashed into my life with your cake obsession and your culinary genius and filled my life with flavour. With purpose. There is no doubt in my mind that I was born to love you. And if you let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life doing just that. Mia, will you make me the luckiest man alive and marry me?” With his free hand he pulls a black ring box out of his pocket and opens it to reveal a gorgeous ring.
Tears are streaming down my face at his words and I wipe them away with the hand he isn’t clutching.
“Yes!” I sob, as he flashes a brilliant smile and takes the stunning diamond ring out of its box, before slipping it onto my finger. I don’t have long to admire it befor
e he is pulling me into his arms and devouring my mouth.
“I love you,” he says, as he pulls back and smiles at me.
“I love you too.” Looking at the ring on my finger, I gasp as I take in the beauty of it. “This is stunning.”
“The saleswoman said the bigger ring, the less likely the woman is to say no.” He laughs, tracing his thumb over my bottom lip.
“Pfft. Let’s be honest. It wasn’t the ring that influenced my decision,” I say, looking up at him. “It was the cake.”
He throws his head back and laughs and it is truly the best sound in the world. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with this man. He may have come into my life and blindsided me, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
Acknowledgments
To my husband. Thank you for everything. You mean the world to me.
To my parents. I’m forever grateful for everything you have done and continue to do for me. I love you.
To Sam at Sammi Bee Designs. I adore working with you and watching you create such beautiful covers and graphics. Your talent is inspiring. Thank you for all that you do.
To Sybil, Sarah, Dana, Becca, Amz, Sophie and Willow. Thank you again for helping me, supporting me and being wonderful friends. I’m so lucky to have you all in my life.
To Brooke. Thanks for being my number one cheerleader, answering my random questions and always encouraging me to follow my dreams.
To my little monster. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars that I have you in my life. I love you more than coffee.
And to you, thank you so much for reading my words. I hope you enjoyed getting lost in another world for a little while. Books are the best.
Books by Sophie Blue
What Are You Weighting For? Series
Weighting On Love
Fighting For Love
Running From Love
The Carrington Brothers Series
Blindsided By The Billionaire
Coffee Shop Confessions – coming soon
Nanny Negotiations – coming soon
Standalones
Meet Me In The Sunflowers
Too Hard To Swallow – coming soon
About the Author
Sophie Blue is a hopeless romantic and avid reader. She fell in love with reading at a young age and can always be found with her nose in a book. She started writing after having her baby and published her debut book, Weighting On Love, in May 2020.
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