“Not even for you,” I told him smugly. He laughed and winked at me. “Now, do y’all just chat now, or am I going to get to judge my first contestant?” I laughed.
“Welcome to the big leagues, kid,” Claudia told me as her makeup assistant applied the final touches to her flawless appearance. “Where we just sit around trying to look pretty until we change someone’s life forever.”
The idea that I could change someone’s life freaked me out a little bit. I took another sip of the glass of water the crew provided and tried to appear calm.
When Jax walked through the doors holding his favorite acoustic guitar, my brows furrowed. He was wearing the outfit he wore as a judge during my season that he’d avoided wearing since, leather pants and a loose white T-shirt.
“Hey, I’m Jax Bone, and I would like to audition for the role of Billie Bishop’s future husband.”
My eyes widened. I immediately looked at Zach, and his big smile told me he knew what was going on.
“What—”
“Sweetie, we don’t interrupt the audition until the end,” Russell Conway informed me tongue in cheek.
Jax started singing John Legend’s “All of Me,” and my eyes filled with unshed tears. I could barely see. Jax usually refused to sing anyone’s music but his own.
When he stopped singing and the entire room was standing and applauding, I struggled to get to my feet.
Jax came up close to me and whispered, “I never thought I was a dreamer. Not like you were when you entered this competition. I got unlucky in life and then lucky in the music industry. And then you walked in through those doors and my life changed. I started to have some wild dreams. Not just about singing sold-out concerts with you or being there to kiss you as you accepted your first music award. I dreamed about a future that is constantly beyond my imagination. And now I’m auditioning and going after all my wild dreams. So, what do you think? Want to make them all come true?”
He smiled at me and my shock disappeared, replaced with this feeling of warmth and certainty.
“I think you should sing something upbeat,” I teased. “Just to show your full capabilities as my future husband.”
The crew, along with Zach, Russell, and Claudia, chuckled in the background.
“Okay, then.” Jax winked at me and turned to go back to his spot in the audition room before I giggled and grabbed his hand.
“I was kidding,” I told him solemnly. “No more audition rounds needed. You’ve won my heart, Jax Bone.” I kept hold of his hand, rounding the table until I could wrap both my arms around his shoulders. I looked up at the man who kept changing my life in unbelievable ways and smiled.
“If it’s official and I’ve got the job, could I bring in my cheer squad?” Jax asked, rolling his eyes.
“A cheer squad?” I repeated, confused.
Zach opened the door and Bambi, Cora, and my momma stormed in the room holding glittering signs that said JAX & BILLIE 4 EVA, SUPERLOVEDOM, and SAY YES THIS TIME!
I burst out laughing. Jax just sighed.
“The signs were Bambi’s idea,” my momma whispered in my ear as she hugged me. “She wouldn’t be convinced otherwise.”
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I choked out, trying to keep the tears away.
“I might have been a fool a few years ago, but not any longer. I’m not missing any more life-changing moments,” Momma replied softly.
“I hope you don’t mind me tagging along,” Cora stated nervously. “You’re like my own daughter, and Michelle said she thought you’d want me here.”
“She was right. I love that you all came,” I replied, looking at each of them.
Bambi kissed me on the cheek and then turned to her son. “So, did she make you sing at least two songs? Or were the leather pants enough?”
The entire room burst out laughing.
“You surprise me, Jax Bone,” I informed my fiancé later that evening as we cuddled under the blankets. “I never would have thought with how much our lives are in front of the camera that you would have wanted your proposal aired to the world.”
“The footage won’t be used in the show,” he confessed as he ran his hands over my body. “The only people who will get to see me audition are our families and future kids. The show agreed to the deal.”
“What did it cost you?” I laughed as he kissed my collarbone. He kept moving south with every kiss, and my breath quickly turned into pants.
“You’re a celebrity judge this season, and next season Jax Bone returns to the celebrity judge couch with you.” He groaned.
“You must really love me,” I murmured, pausing running my hand over his chest to stare at the one carat rectangular diamond sitting on my left hand. Jax chuckled at my need to look at it constantly, even if it meant interrupting our celebratory activities. It was understated, romantic, and nothing like the attention-grabbing ring that was bought before for media purposes. It reflected us perfectly.
“I love you more than anything,” he whispered as he kissed the side of my breast. “I wasn’t lying earlier today. You are the dream I never knew I had that I have no plan on letting go of.”
I sighed, moved Jax’s face back to mine so I could kiss him seriously, and then helped guide him inside of me. I never knew what was more beautiful, singing one of Jax’s songs or feeling him move inside me. It took me years to be confident with him in the bedroom, always afraid I might not compete with the celebrity girls he’d been with before. However, he constantly let me know that our lovemaking was just like our duets everyone demanded we perform.
Incomparable.
Later that night, I fell asleep curled in Jax’s arms, amazed how a childish dream had provided me with a magical life.
I am forever grateful for the women and men in my life that help support me and my writing.
Chantal Fernando, this book is dedicated to you, but those words still don’t express the full extent of how much I appreciate your guidance, our speed writing sessions and your inspiring words.
Claire Hielscher, there is no one like you and I am so very grateful for our friendship and your help.
Amy English, thank you for always offering your time and advice. Your love for this genre and passion for authors is unparalleled.
Ari at Cover It! Designs, thank you for my wonderful cover and your enthusiasm in making it beautiful.
The fabulous team at Hot Tree Editing! I always sleep a little easier knowing such clever women are examining my words.
Love Affair with Fiction and Wildfire Marketing Solutions! Thank you for everything you have done to promote my work!
Rose Tawil, your belief in my writing has made a huge difference in my confidence and perseverance. I cannot thank you enough.
And Jake, you continually show me that your dreams are all about helping mine come true. I love you so much.
Childish Dreams Page 23
