“Melanie, I told you once before that this was a symbol of my love for you,” he says, opening the box to reveal the silver pendant that never left my neck from the moment he gave it to me until the night he broke my heart. The night I betrayed his trust. “I also promised you that night that I would do everything I could to never hurt you. I failed you then, which is why I know it’s going to be that much harder to earn your trust this time around. Melanie Elaine Erickson, you mean the world to me. You always have, even when I was too weak to fight for you. I love you.”
I throw my arms around Xavier’s neck, bawling into the collar of his crisp, gray dress shirt. “I love you too, Xavier. Both of you. I’m sorry seems inadequate for everything that happened years ago. We both did things we can’t take back, but I promise I will do everything I can to never make you question my trust or loyalty again.”
We’re probably causing a scene in the middle of one of Madison’s premier restaurants, but neither of us care about anyone who isn’t currently seated at our table. I start crying harder when I feel the cold metal brush against my skin. As Xavier closes the clasp behind my neck, my hand floats to the pendant. It so close to perfect, but not quite.
“Xavier, I can’t wear this right now.” I feel Xavier’s body stiffen as soon as the words leave my mouth.
His shoulders drop as he backs away from me, cupping my face in his hands. “Melanie, it’s yours. I’m not asking you to promise me forever right this minute. It’s a necklace, plain and simple.” His voice is frantic as he pleads with me. “Baby, I need you to know how much you mean to me. Just you and me and Jacob.”
I bite on the corner of my lip to keep from cracking a smile. It’s almost cute to see him so close to falling apart. But I can’t let him continue when he’s freaking out about nothing. I brush his scruffy cheek with the back of my hand. “Xavier, calm down. I meant I can’t wear it because this is a symbol of what we used to be. I love that you gave it back to me, but this isn’t what we have now.”
Xavier’s eyes grow wider and I swear I can see tears welling along the lower lids. “If you want something new, that’s fine. I don’t want you to take this one if it has too many bad memories.”
It’s time to put the poor man out of his misery. “Xavier, it’s almost perfect. I don’t want a different necklace, I just want you to fix this one so it represents what we are now.”
He cocks his head to the side, confused by what I’m saying. I turn to my left and hold out my hands, pulling Jacob into my lap. “We need to add a ruby to this necklace. Right at the point of the heart.”
Xavier wraps his arms around us, finally understanding what I’m trying to tell him. Our relationship isn’t about two people, there are three hearts at stake this time. “I love you so much, Melanie.”
Tears dampen my cheek and I’m not sure whether they’re mine, his, or a combination of both. All I know is that I have a piece of my heart and soul back.
“Okay, why don’t I get the little man out of here so the two of you can celebrate properly?” I laugh into Xavier’s shoulder because I had completely forgotten that his brother was sitting at the table with us. “And Mel, I seriously owe you one. You had him about ready to piss himself, it was great!”
“Bad language, Unca Braydon!” Jacob kisses me on the cheek, not easing the grip he has around my neck. “Melly, do I have to go now?”
“Didn’t you say your uncle promised you ice cream?” I don’t want to send him away right after making this huge production about how all three of us are equally important, but I need a little more time with Xavier before we start settling into whatever our life is going to be from here on out. “I bet you could get him to take you to the go-carts, too.”
Braydon gives me a look of mock disgust. “That’s how you’re calling in your favor? Go-carts for the kid?”
“Not even close, Braydon, but we have plenty of time to tally up all the favors you owe me.” I kiss his cheek when he leans over to say goodbye. “Jacob, I promise your daddy and I will be home before bedtime, okay?”
“Melly, are you going to live with us now?” Jacob asks. I don’t want to answer him because Xavier and I technically need to talk about that, but I take a chance because I’m more confident in my answer now than I would have been twenty-four hours ago.
“Do you want me to move in with you?” I ask, genuinely interested in his response.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes!” He’s jumping up and down in the middle of the dining room, earning us more dirty looks. At this rate, we’re going to be kicked out before we can order and that’s fine by me. I would be just as happy going to pick up burgers with my boys as having an amazing steak.
“I think we might be able to make that happen.” I wink at him, sinking back into Xavier’s arms. I turn my head, feathering kisses along his firm lips. “What do you think?”
“Definitely doable,” he agrees, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist. “Now, go with your uncle so we can eat and get home.”
Chapter 24