Chapter 17

Chrysti never cuddles. She’s not the type. She likes her space, always has, but right now she was wrapped up in Jalen, and she didn’t want to move. Jalen’s arm was draped over her waist, his body warm against her back. His slow, steady breathing tickled the nape of her neck. And the worst part was that it felt ... good. Comforting. Safe. The sex had been epic, which wasn’t a surprise. She knew it’d be hot, intense, and overwhelming, but this feeling she was having now was unexpected.

She shifted slightly, and Jalen’s grip on her tightened, his large hand pulling her even closer. “Mmm ... where you goin’?” His voice was rough, thick with sleep.

Chrysti froze. She hadn’t meant to wake him up. “Relax, I was just stretching, big guy.”

Jalen made a low sound in the back of his throat, a deep, satisfied hum, before pressing his face into her hair. “You feel good.”

Chrysti felt her stomach tighten. She swallowed, keeping her tone light. “That’s ‘cause you just rearranged my insides for six hours.”

Jalen chuckled, a deep, lazy sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Damn right.”

She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched into a smile. “Cocky as hell.”

Jalen nuzzled her neck, his lips brushing her bare shoulder. “I got a reason to be.”

Chrysti felt her cheeks warm. “Damn him. Damn him and that cocky-ass voice.” She thought. She should get up. Take a shower. Create some distance. But instead, she stayed right where she was. Letting herself enjoy it. Just for a little while.

Jalen’s fingers traced lazy circles on her stomach, his touch gentle this time. “How you feel?” he murmured.

Chrysti blinked. That was a loaded question. Physically? Sore as hell. Emotionally? Confused as fuck. But she just shrugged. “I’m good. You?”

Jalen shifted, propping himself up on one elbow. His dark brown eyes locked onto hers, searching her face. “I mean for real, Chrysti.”

She hesitated. Jalen wasn’t just talking about the sex. He wanted to know if she was okay with everything, and the truth was she wasn’t sure how to answer that. She exhaled, running a hand through her messy brown waves. “I don’t do this.”

Jalen raised an eyebrow. “Do what?”

She gestured between them. “This. The ... morning-after shit.”

Jalen smirked, amused. “You mean cuddling? Damn, I must’ve done a number on you.”

Chrysti groaned, shoving his arm. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Jalen laughed. Then, his face grew serious again. He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You wanna talk about it?”

Chrysti hesitated. Because that was the thing about Jalen. He wasn’t just hot. He wasn’t just good in bed. He was attentive. He paid attention. And that was dangerous because it made her want to trust him, and she didn’t trust men.

She sighed, flopping onto her back, staring at the ceiling. “You ever get so used to people letting you down that you just stop expecting anything else?”

Jalen watched her carefully. Then, after a beat, he nodded. “Yeah.”

His voice was low. Understanding. And somehow, that made Chrysti’s chest tighten even more.

She licked her lips. “Every guy I’ve ever let in has burned me. Either they cheat, they lie, or they just ... walk away.”

She turned her head, meeting Jalen’s gaze. “So yeah. Maybe I don’t do this because I don’t see the point.”

Jalen didn’t say anything right away. He just studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, he slowly reached for her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. It was such a simple gesture. But damn if it didn’t make her heart race.

“I’m not them.” He said softly.

Chrysti swallowed. “I know.”

Because that was the problem. Jalen was different, and that scared the hell out of her.

Jalen lifted their joined hands and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to her knuckles. “You don’t gotta figure it all out today. But don’t run from it either.”

Chrysti let out a shaky breath. “No promises.”

Jalen smirked. “I’ll take that. For now.”

He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a soft, lingering kiss. Chrysti melted into it before she even realized what she was doing. When they pulled apart, Jalen grinned.

“Now, let’s get a shower and then let’s get some food. You gotta refuel after last night.” He said.

Chrysti rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. They got up and walked to the bathroom and Chrysti turned on the shower. She looked over and saw Jalen was still smiling.

“What are you smiling for?” Chrysti asked curiously.

“Because I get to have you soap me up.” He says grinning.

Chrysti gives him a look but struggles to hide her own smile. “We’ll see.” She said.

A minute later, Chrysti stood under the hot spray of the shower, her body still aching in the best way from the night before. She had never let a man stay the night, and she damn sure had never taken a shower with one the morning after. At least not since her ex-boyfriend left her. Yet here she was with Jalen.

Jalen stepped in behind her, his large frame towering over her, his body still radiating heat from the night before. His hands immediately found her waist, pulling her back against his chest.

“You sure you’re cool with this?” Jalen murmured, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

Chrysti smirked, tilting her head to the side, inviting him in. “A little late to be asking that, don’t you think?”

Jalen chuckled, that deep, knowing sound that sent a shiver down her spine. His hands slid down her stomach, fingers teasing over her skin, tracing the curves of her hips. The water poured over them, hot and soothing, steam curling around them as Jalen’s lips skated over the side of her neck. Chrysti let out a slow, shaky breath. He had already wrecked her body last night, but somehow, she still wanted more. Jalen reached for the shea butter body wash, pouring it into his hands before gliding them over her shoulders and down her back. His touch was slow, methodical, intimate.

“You’re sore, aren’t you?” He asked amusingly.

Chrysti rolled her eyes. “I’ll live.”

Jalen smirked, massaging the lather into her skin. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

His fingers worked her muscles, easing the tightness in her shoulders, her lower back. Chrysti hummed, eyes slipping shut. Damn. She hated to admit it, but this felt good as hell. Jalen’s hands drifted lower, kneading the flesh of her hips before sliding down to her thighs.

“You good?” he murmured against her skin, his lips grazing the spot just below her ear.

Chrysti bit her lip. Yeah, she was good. She was better than good. She turned in his arms, facing him, pressing her body against his. The water ran down his chest, over the ridges of muscle, dripping from his shoulders. Chrysti dragged her acrylic nails down his chest, biting her lip as she looked up at him.

Jalen’s dark eyes locked onto hers, his expression hungry. “If you keep looking at me like that, we’re never leaving this shower.”

Chrysti smirked. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Jalen groaned, gripping her hips as he pressed her back against the cool tile. And just like that, she was his again.

Ninety minutes later, Jalen slid into the booth across from Chrysti, grumbling under his breath. “This is bullshit.”

Chrysti smirked, stirring her coffee. “You’ll live.”

Jalen folded his arms, leaning back in his seat. “You really couldn’t just let me have Waffle House?”

Chrysti arched an eyebrow. “I refuse to let you take me somewhere where the cook might be in a fight before our food even hits the table.”

Jalen snorted. “That’s what makes it great. The food tastes better after some chaos.”

Chrysti shook her head, laughing. “I like my eggs without a side of trauma, thank you.”

Jalen chuckled, watching her with amusement. She was different. Every woman in his life was special in their own way, but Chrysti challenged him. Made him work for it. And damn if he didn’t like that.

The waitress arrived with their food, setting down their plates. Jalen eyed his French toast, eggs, and turkey bacon, shaking his head.

“This ain’t a waffle.”

Chrysti popped a piece of her biscuit into her mouth, grinning. “Nope. But you’ll survive.”

Jalen sighed dramatically, but when he took a bite, he nodded in approval. “Aight, I’ll admit. This is fire.”

Chrysti smirked, taking a sip of her coffee. “Told you. Now eat up, big guy.”

Ten minutes later, Jalen leaned back in his seat, sipping his coffee, watching Chrysti carefully.

She was trying so damn hard to act normal like last night hadn’t been earth-shattering. Like she hadn’t fallen asleep in his arms and woken up still wrapped around him. She was playing it cool, but Jalen knew better.

He smirked, resting his chin on his hand. “You gonna sit there and pretend like last night didn’t change your life?”

Chrysti snorted, tearing off a piece of her biscuit. “Please. I’ve had better.”

Jalen arched an eyebrow, fully amused. “Damn. That’s how you gonna do me?”

Chrysti grinned, popping the biscuit into her mouth.

Jalen shook his head. “See, now you’re just lying to yourself.”

Chrysti smirked but didn’t argue. She couldn’t. She knew what the truth was.

Jalen chuckled, turning his attention back to his food. They ate in comfortable silence, the tension from the night before still lingering, but it wasn’t awkward. Jalen had no doubts that Chrysti would come around. She just needed time.

After their meal, they stepped outside into the mid-morning sun, the crisp air cutting through the heat left over from their night together. Chrysti pulled her car keys from her purse, but Jalen reached out and gently took her wrist.

She looked up at him, her green eyes guarded. “What?” she asked.

Jalen held her gaze for a moment before speaking. “You gonna try to pretend like this didn’t happen?”

Chrysti hesitated. She could feel a strange pull, some undeniable force tying her to him, even as her mind screamed at her to be careful. But Jalen was so damn sure about them.

She sighed, shifting her weight. “I don’t know what this is.”

Jalen took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. “You don’t have to. Not yet. Just don’t run from it.”

Chrysti hated how much she liked hearing that. She stared at him for a long moment before smirking.

“You just don’t want me to run because you wanna do that shit to me again.”

Jalen laughed, low and deep, stepping even closer. “You ain’t wrong.”

Chrysti rolled her eyes, but her cheeks were warm. “Go home, Moss.”

Jalen smirked, lifting his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. But you’re texting me later.”

Chrysti scoffed. “In your dreams.”

Jalen watched as she walked to her car, shaking his head. She was lying again. And they both knew it.

Jalen kicked off his shoes, plopping onto the couch, exhaling deeply. His body was still worn out from last night, but he felt good. Damn good. His phone buzzed, and he grabbed it off the coffee table, expecting it to be one of the other women. Instead, a name he wasn’t expecting flashed on the screen. Chrysti.

Chrysti: “I don’t know why, but I already kinda miss you right now. Whatever. Don’t get a big head about it.”

Jalen stared at the message for a second before a slow, satisfied smile spread across his face. Oh yeah. She was hooked. And now she just had to accept it.

Meanwhile at Chrysti’s apartment, Chrysti tossed her phone onto the bed after sending the text, already regretting it.

“Ugh. What the hell am I doing?” she muttered to herself.

She was supposed to be done with men like him. Smooth talkers. Confident. Charming. The kind that made you feel like the center of their world, only to leave you when it stopped being convenient. But Jalen wasn’t leaving. He really was ... Different.

At 7:42 PM that night, Jalen sat on his couch, his PlayStation controller in hand, midway through an NBA 2K game when his phone buzzed twice in rapid succession. He glanced over at the screen, his stomach tightening as he saw two different messages from two different women.

Sydney: “Hey baby. I really need you tonight. Can you come over?”

Kristen: “Jalen ... I don’t want to sound dramatic, but I feel like I’m spiraling right now. Can you please come see me?”

Jalen cursed under his breath, dropping the controller onto the coffee table. This was exactly the kind of situation he dreaded. Two women he loved needed him at the same time. And he had to choose. Jalen leaned back against the couch, rubbing a hand down his face as he tried to think rationally. Sydney didn’t say what was wrong, but her message didn’t sound urgent. Kristen, on the other hand, used words like spiraling and please. His gut immediately told him Kristen needed him more. Sydney was strong-willed and independent. If it was an emergency, she would have said so. Kristen, though? She had been struggling emotionally ever since her pregnancy. The hormones, the major life change, the constant battle with her own emotions. It was a lot. And if she was admitting she was spiraling, then Jalen wasn’t about to leave her alone tonight. Decision made.

Jalen → Sydney: “Hey, baby. Is everything okay?”

Sydney responded almost immediately.

Sydney: “Yeah, this may be dumb, but I just miss you. I wanted to cuddle and have some fun. But if you’re busy, I understand.”

Jalen exhaled. He hated disappointing her.

Jalen → Sydney: “I wanna be there, but Kristen needs me tonight. She’s not doing too well. Can I come see you tomorrow?”

A moment passed before her response came through.

Sydney: “Okay, that’s fine. Take care of her. Love you.”

Jalen → Sydney: “Love you too, baby.”

Jalen ran a hand down his beard, already feeling guilty, but Kristen needed him.

By the time Jalen pulled up outside Kristen’s apartment complex, it was already dark. He let himself in with the spare key she had given him weeks ago and walked up the stairs to her unit. The moment he stepped inside, he knew something was wrong. The lights were dim, the place was too quiet, and Kristen was curled up on the couch, her eyes red and puffy from crying. Jalen’s chest tightened ... he had only seen her like this one other time, which was the day she first told him she was pregnant.

“Kristen...” he murmured, setting his keys down and kneeling beside her.

She sniffled, wiping at her face as she looked at him.

“I—I don’t know why I feel like this.” Her voice was hoarse, broken.

Jalen reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “Talk to me, baby.”

Kristen shook her head, her lower lip trembling. “I just feel ... lost. I was fine earlier, and then all of a sudden, it just hit me again. Everything. The pregnancy, my life, the fact that I don’t even know what my future looks like anymore.” She swallowed hard. “And I just ... I needed you.”

Jalen’s heart ached for her. He knew Kristen was one of the strongest, most composed women he had ever met, but everyone had breaking points. Without another word, Jalen slipped onto the couch beside her, pulling her into his arms. Kristen immediately melted into him, burying her face in his chest.

Jalen kissed the top of her head, holding her close. “I got you. I’m here.”

Kristen let out a shaky breath, gripping his shirt like she was afraid he’d disappear. Jalen tightened his hold, silently promising her that he wasn’t going anywhere. She had buried her face in his chest, and he could feel the warmth of her breath through his shirt as she tried to steady herself. Jalen ran his fingers through her dark brown hair, pressing a slow, reassuring kiss to the top of her head.

“I got you...” He said again.

Kristen clutched at his shirt tighter, like she was afraid to let go.

“I hate feeling like this,” she muttered against him, her voice hoarse from crying. “I don’t even know what set me off.” She exhaled sharply. “I just feel like I’m drowning.”

Jalen tightened his arms around her. “You’ve been carrying a lot, Kristen. Plus you have all of the stuffing coming from the pregnancy, this was bound to happen.”

Kristen let out a broken laugh. “Yeah, well ... I don’t like feeling weak.”

Jalen tilted her chin up gently, making her look at him. “Listen to me. You are not weak.” His voice was firm, but warm. “You’ve been through so much these past few months. Leaving Rob, moving out, finding out you’re pregnant, trying to figure out what your future looks like. That’s a lot. You’re human. You’re allowed to feel like this sometimes.”

Kristen blinked at him, her dark brown eyes still glossy from tears. And then, suddenly, she kissed him. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t desperate. It was slow, deep, and filled with emotion. Jalen kissed her back, soft at first, but when Kristen fisted her hands into his shirt, pulling him closer, his grip on her waist tightened instinctively.

Kristen broke the kiss, her forehead pressed against his. “Stay the night,” she whispered.

Jalen nodded. “I wasn’t going anywhere.”

Jalen then helped Kristen get comfortable, leading her into her bedroom. She was still wearing the same leggings and oversized sweater she had been in all day. She was exhausted.

“Go change into something comfortable, baby,” he murmured, running his hand up and down her back.

Kristen nodded, disappearing into the bathroom. Jalen sat on the edge of her bed, kicking off his sneakers and pulling off his t-shirt. A few minutes later, Kristen came out, now wearing one of his t-shirts that she had stolen from him weeks ago. It draped over her frame, the hem barely covering the curve of her thighs. Jalen watched her climb into bed, and before she could say anything, he followed, pulling her into him again. Kristen exhaled softly as she settled into his chest, her body fitting against his perfectly.

“This helps,” she admitted quietly.

Jalen kissed the top of her head again, stroking his fingers down her spine. “Good. Then I’ll stay like this all night.”

Kristen smiled slightly, her eyes finally beginning to close. “I love you, Jalen,” she murmured, her voice sleepy and soft.

Jalen tightened his arms around her, pressing his lips against her temple. “I love you too, Kristen. Sleep. I got you.”

And for the first time that whole day, Kristen breathed easily.

At around 7:45 AM, Jalen woke up to the soft weight of Kristen’s body draped over him, her face buried in his neck, her leg hooked over his waist. She was still asleep, breathing slow and steady. For a moment, Jalen just watched her. Last night had been rough on her. He knew how much she hated feeling so vulnerable. Even in her weakest moments, she always found a way to pull herself back together, and Jalen would always be there to help her hold it together when she needed him. Kristen shifted slightly, stretching before her eyes slowly fluttered open. She blinked at Jalen for a moment, her lips parting slightly as she processed where she was. Then, she smiled. A small, sleepy, but genuine smile. “Hey,” she murmured.

Jalen brushed a few strands of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her cheek. “Morning, beautiful.”

Kristen let out a soft sigh, snuggling deeper into him. “Thank you for staying,” she whispered.

Jalen kissed her forehead, his hand sliding slowly down her back. “Always.”

Kristen tilted her head up, and before Jalen could say anything else, she kissed him. It was soft at first, slow and intimate. Then it deepened. Jalen felt the way her body pressed against him, how her fingers traced over his chest, the shift in her breathing as the kiss grew hungrier. His hand slid under her t-shirt, palming the soft curve of her hip, and Kristen let out the quietest moan against his lips. Jalen’s grip tightened, and that was all Kristen needed. She climbed on top of him, straddling his waist, her thighs warm against his skin. Jalen looked up at her, his hands resting on her hips, holding her in place. Kristen studied his face, her expression serious.

Then, softly she said, “Make love to me.”

Jalen stared at her for a moment, searching her eyes. She wasn’t asking out of desperation or sadness. She was asking because she needed this. Because she wanted him. Jalen sat up slightly, one hand sliding up her back as he kissed her deeply. Kristen let out a soft sound, melting into him, and just like that he gave her exactly what she needed. Kristen’s breath hitched as Jalen pulled her closer, their lips locking again, slower this time, like they were savoring every second. She felt his hand slide beneath her shirt, fingers gliding up her spine, warm and steady.

“I got you,” he murmured against her mouth.

Kristen exhaled shakily, her heart thudding. “I know.”

She reached down, lifting her shirt over her head and tossing it aside. Her bare skin was soft and flushed in the morning light, and Jalen’s eyes darkened as he traced every curve with reverence. No rush or hunger. Just awe. Kristen unhooked her bra slowly, letting it fall behind her, revealing her breasts. Jalen cupped them gently, brushing his thumbs across her nipples, and she let out a quiet moan, her hips shifting slightly over his. He kissed her chest. Her collarbone. Her sternum. Each kiss slow and deliberate, like he was memorizing her.

Then Kristen reached down between them and slowly pushed down his boxers, freeing his thick morning wood. She guided him toward her center, the head of his cock brushing against her folds. He held her gaze as she sank down onto him, both of them gasping at the stretch, the depth, the sheer intensity of how perfectly she fit around him. She gasped sharply as the head pushed past the lips of her vagina and made its journey deep inside of her. Her walls parted and stretched for him as his cock moved deeper through her pussy into the deepest depths. She slowly sank all the way down until Jalen was basically balls deep into her. Then Kristen leaned forward, her hands bracing against his chest, and began to roll her hips in slow, deliberate circles.

“Fuck...” Jalen breathed, his hands gripping her thighs, letting her take control.

She rode him slowly, rhythmically, her eyes fluttering closed as she surrendered to the feeling. Her walls gripped him tightly with every motion, and he could feel every quiver, every pulse. But what hit hardest was her expression. It was vulnerable, open, unmasked. Jalen sat up and wrapped his arms around her, holding her against his chest as he thrust up into her. Kristen gasped into his neck, her arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders. It wasn’t fucking. It wasn’t even just sex. It was intimacy in its purest form.

“I love you,” Jalen whispered, burying his face in her shoulder.

Kristen choked on a sob and whispered it back. “I love you too.”

And as their bodies moved together in that quiet, sunlit room, skin on skin, heart to heart, it was no longer about comfort or lust. It was about belonging. About being chosen. Kristen moved a little faster now, her arms wrapped securely around his head. Jalen was very close until he suddenly let out a series low growls as his cock shot loads of cum into her. Kristen kept moving, taking it all in until he finally subsided. They both then just held each other, the outside world completely nonexistent in that moment.

About ten minutes later, Kristen lay curled against Jalen, her fingers tracing slow, idle patterns on his chest. She looked peaceful. Jalen’s hand was in her hair, playing with the strands, his other arm wrapped securely around her. Neither of them spoke for a long time.

Then, Kristen broke the silence. “I think I wanna move.”

Jalen’s brows lifted slightly. “Move? Like out of Atlanta?”

Kristen shook her head. “No, I mean ... something bigger.” She exhaled, staring at the ceiling. “This apartment was a transition. A way to get out of Rob’s house. But now that I’m ... pregnant, I want something better.”

Jalen nodded, rubbing her back slowly. “I get that. You want something more permanent.”

Kristen bit her lip. “Yeah. Something with more space. A home.”

Jalen studied her for a moment, then kissed her forehead. “We’ll figure it out. I’ll help you find something.”

Kristen smiled softly. “I know you will.”

Jalen held her closer, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against his chest. Kristen was moving forward, and Jalen secretly vowed that would always be there to make sure she had exactly what she needed.

Chrysti gets a text message from Jalen saying that he needs to cancel their plans tonight. She stared at her phone, rereading Jalen’s text.

Jalen: “Hey, I’m really sorry, but I have to cancel our plans tonight. Sydney asked me to come over last night because she was going through something, but I couldn’t because Kristen needed me. So I promised her I’d come see her tonight instead. I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I wanted to let you know as soon as I could. I hate bailing on you. Can I make it up to you next Sunday? I’m not scheduled to be with any of the others that day.”

Chrysti exhaled slowly, tapping her dark maroon long acrylic nails against her countertop. She shouldn’t be surprised. This was the reality of being with Jalen. He wasn’t hers, not entirely. Chrysti had spent her whole life avoiding men like him. The kind of men who had too much charm, too many women in their orbit, too many complications, and yet here she was falling for him anyway. Now, this text was a gut-punching reminder that she was just one of many. She tossed her phone onto the couch and walked to her kitchen, trying to ignore the knot tightening in her stomach. It wasn’t like she hadn’t known what she was getting into. She had teased him, challenged him, even told herself she wouldn’t let this get too deep, but she wasn’t built like these other women. She didn’t know how to compartmentalize her emotions like that. She didn’t know how to share, and right now, she felt like second-place. No, third-place. Sydney had been hurting. Kristen needed him. And Chrysti got rescheduled. Her phone vibrated again.

Jalen: “Chrysti? You good?”

She stared at the message for a few seconds before grabbing her phone and typing out a response.

Chrysti: “Yeah. Have fun with Sydney. I’ll see you next Sunday.”

She hit send before she could second-guess it. Then, she tossed her phone onto the counter and sighed.

God. What the hell was she doing?

Jalen had legitimately felt bad for not being able to be there for Sydney that night even though he knew she understood why. So that evening, Jalen was determined to make it up to her. He brought her a number of goodies including a feast from Moe’s that included all kinds of fajita options plus her favorite drink, Dr. Pepper. Sydney smiled through her first bite of a sizzling chicken fajita, her body melting into the plush couch cushions. Jalen sat at the other end of the couch, his big hands firmly kneading her sore feet, working out every bit of tension.

“I’m officially spoiled,” she mumbled through her food.

Jalen smirked, his dimples appearing as he rubbed slow, deep circles into the arch of her foot. “You were spoiled before I got here.”

Sydney let out a soft sigh, shaking her head. “Not like this.”

The truth was, Jalen always made sure she felt special, loved, and taken care of. Even when he couldn’t be there when she wanted him, he always made it up to her, and tonight he’d made a hell of an effort. She glanced at the spread of Moe’s takeout he’d brought, chicken, steak, shrimp, black beans, grilled peppers, fresh guac, queso, and extra sour cream just how she liked it. Beside the food was a large bag of peanut M&M’s, her favorite candy; and if that wasn’t enough, a gorgeous bouquet of flowers sat on her coffee table, adding a pop of color to the room. She felt so damn loved. Jalen might have missed coming over last night, but he made sure she felt like a priority tonight. She wiped her mouth and eyed him as he continued massaging her foot, his strong hands applying the perfect pressure.

“You know you didn’t have to do all this,” she said softly.

Jalen tilted his head, his dark brown eyes locking with hers. “I wanted to. I felt bad for not being there last night. I know you understood, but ... I still wanted to make it up to you.”

Sydney studied him, her heart swelling in her chest. He was so damn good to her. Despite all the chaos in his life, despite how stretched thin he must be with all the women he was balancing, he still took the time to show her how much he cared. Sydney let out a slow breath, her emotions creeping up on her.

Jalen must have noticed the shift in her expression, because he squeezed her foot gently. “Talk to me, Syd.”

Sydney bit her lip, debating if she wanted to ruin the mood with her thoughts. But Jalen always made her feel safe enough to speak her mind. So she set her plate down, sat up, and slid her foot out of his grasp so she could shift closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest.

Jalen exhaled, wrapping his arms around her just as tightly, holding her close.