“Well, I need to work a little harder then ’cause you should feel like the most important person in the world every moment of the day.”

After I run my thumb along his bottom lip, my eyes lock with his. The words are there and I know I should say them, but how can I risk a love like this for something that isn’t going to be a big deal in a month’s time? Instead, I ask, “You’ll support me no matter what I do, right?”

His brows come together. “What do you mean?”

“Like whatever job I want.”

He smiles. “You don’t want to be a dancer anymore?”

“No, I do, but what if I can’t find a job?”

“That’s crazy. We both know you will, but yes, no matter what, I’ll support you. You wanna work at Wendy’s? I’m down, babe, as long as you are mine. I know that you’ll always support me, so you have my support.”

Letting out a long breath, I lean my head against his and whisper, “You’re right. I will.”

“Good,” he says, and then his eyes meet mine. “Why? What’s going on?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. I’m just thinking about the future.”

He smiles. “The future is me and you, babe. The world is at our fingertips.”

Or me alone.

I smile, not wanting to think that way. I lean into him, brushing my lips slowly along his before whispering, “You’re right.”

“I know, and I also know I love you, Claire.”

Closing my eyes, I say, “I love you more.”

“If you say so, baby.”

As his lips meet mine, I don’t know why his words and actions aren’t making me feel better.

Because they should, shouldn’t they?

I’m running late.

So fucking late that I’m embarrassed, but surely Mrs. Sinclair and Jude will understand that Reese’s “ten minute” wedding rehearsal ran over. I swear! How hard is it? Erik and Phillip walk down, then the billions of Assassins kids go, then me, and then Reese and her dad. It isn’t that hard! Jeez! Instead, Phillip and Erik are making jokes and chasing the kids down the aisle, Reese is throwing up because she’s so damn nervous, and I’m standing there, yelling at everyone because I have a lunch date with Jude and his mom.

It was your typical Assassins wedding rehearsal.

I should have known better.

Pulling into the parking lot of Moss, a southern-cooking place, I shut the car off and pull down the visor to reapply my makeup and then do something with my mass of hair that looks stringy and icky. I had a late night, didn’t get to shower, and then having Dimitri and Journey pull and yank on my hair didn’t make it look any better. To top that all off, I drove with the windows down, so it’s safe to say my hair is a freaking mess. I really should have planned this better. I am hopeless.

I’m reapplying my lipstick when I hear, “You’re gorgeous.”

I pause mid-swipe and look over to find my boyfriend watching me. He looks delectable in a pair of fading blue jeans and a gray shirt that reads “We are all freaks.” On his head is a black beanie, and while I’m starting to develop an unhealthy obsession with beanies, I can’t help but be completely turned on by the scruff on his face. My man grows the best beard.

Smiling, my shoulders fall and I say, “I’m a mess, I’m late, and I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. My mom likes you a lot and understands. Come on, let’s not keep her waiting,” he says and opens my car door. I look in the mirror, finishing another swipe before tucking the lipstick in my purse and taking his hand to get out. Pulling me to his chest, he presses his lips to mine, and I smile against his lips as we kiss. I’ve missed him. I didn’t even get to see him yesterday; he had practice twice and I had work, dance team, and then the club at night. We’re both so busy, but being pressed against his body like this, his lips on mine, makes the time apart bearable.

Lacing his fingers with mine, he pulls away and kisses my nose. “Come on.”

I agree and we head inside as he wipes his mouth free of my lipstick. I see Mrs. Sinclair sitting in a booth, and a grin spreads across my face as she stands to hug me tightly. I don’t know what it is about this woman, but I’ve liked her from the moment I met her. It’s probably because Jude is so much like her.

Pulling back, she smiles at me and says, “I have to admit, I didn’t expect to ever see you again.”

I laugh as I nod. “Yeah, apparently no one did! Jayden bet Jude that he wouldn’t last two weeks with me.”

She tsks as she sets Jude with a look. He shrugs his shoulders. “It was an easy hundred bucks, Mom. I knew she was a keeper,” he says, hugging me tightly before kissing my temple.

I smile, warmth spreading throughout me and then sit down, scooting over so he has room too. Sitting down beside me, he takes my hand in his and rests them against his thigh. I love how he has to touch me when he’s near me. I know that his need for me is just as strong as my need is for him. It’s very reassuring, not that I need reassurance. I know he loves me. More than he loves himself and that makes me giddy with happiness. Especially since I love him just as much, maybe even more.

“Sorry I’m late,” I start, but she holds up her hand.

“Jude told me you had a wedding rehearsal. It’s completely fine.”

I let out a breath, my cheeks warming. “Yeah, tomorrow is my uncle and aunt’s wedding. We’re pretty excited, but it’s a circus since Reese thinks she can do it all and be in the wedding. I think my uncle is going to hire a girl for tomorrow ’cause today was hell.”

She laughs and Jude chuckles beside me. “So you’ll be busy for the next couple days?” she asks and I nod.

“Yeah, I plan on sleeping all day Sunday.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Jude says and we share a grin. I hope he knows that I very much want him to nap with me, and by the look in his eyes, I think he does.

“Jude, are you going with her tomorrow?”

Jude’s eyes leave mine to meet his mom’s. “Yeah. I’m her date.”

“That’s nice. Are they coming to the game tonight? To watch you dance?”

“Yup, and to watch Jude play,” I say with a grin.

“Well, hopefully I’ll run into them. I’d love to meet them.”