Conceal

I expect her to think about the answer, and she surprises me when she doesn’t.

“Yes.”

Her words are a balm to my soul. Here is this girl who’s only known me for a few months, and she trusts me implicitly with her life. And this is why I am taking her with me. Because I need her. She may not realize it, but she is the strongest woman I know, and I don’t care if it makes me weak to admit I need her strength.

“Okay. No costume. No hiding. Just me.”

I lean down and place a kiss on her head.

“And you are perfect.”

Through the mirror, I can see her smile. It lights up the room like her.

It takes Willow a few more moments to put the finishing touches on, and then we are out the door. Like I told her, we grab my car from my basement garage and then head uptown. As I weave in and out of traffic, she holds my hand. I know what she’s doing, and I welcome it.

The ride doesn’t take long, or maybe it’s because I’m with Willow, but before I know it, I’m pulling into Grayson’s garage under his building.

I take a spot marked for me. A perk when you’re a Price. Once we’re parked, we then head upstairs.

Neither of us speak on the ride up. I should probably warn her, but then I think in the grand scheme of life, this is easier than half the shit she’s dealt with. Plus, she’s already met Grayson. Addie is pregnant and will love her, and I’m not worried about Mom. The elevator opens, and together, we step out into the apartment. I haven’t been here for months, not since Willow walked into my life, and I feel like I’ve changed in that time.

She’s changed me.

I’ve always been strong-willed, but watching her, I can’t put my finger on exactly how she changed me, but I feel like a better man with her around.

Standing in the foyer, I reach my arm out and pull her to me. Then and only then do I walk to where my family has gathered.

Mom is the first to see us. Her face instantly turns into a smile, and with quick steps, she makes her way over. I expect her to throw her arms around me; she doesn’t because my arm is around Willow.

“Jaxson,” she says, voice full of love and emotion. Seeing her makes me miss Dad. Maybe that’s one reason I stay away. I let my arm drop from around Willow, but I take her hand in mine.

“Mom. This is my girlfriend, Willow.”

Willow drops my hand and shock plays on her face. We haven’t talked about this; we haven’t exactly given us a label, but that’s what she is, my girlfriend, and there is no reason to pretend otherwise.

“It’s so lovely to meet you, dear,” my mother says to Willow. From my vantage point, I can see Willow wanting to look down. She’s still wary of the attention, no matter how safe she says she feels with me. But she doesn’t let it show, so no one would know. I only know because I know all her tells. But regardless of how she struggles, she holds her head high and extends her hand.

“It’s so nice to meet you too, Mrs. Price.”

“Please call me Annabel,” my mom says as they shake.

My lip tips up as pride surges through me, but it’s quickly knocked down as Willow stiffens, and I hear footsteps.

I was too busy staring at her to notice my brother approach. Turning in his direction, he furrows his brow. He’s looking at Willow, probably because she looks different from the last time he saw her.

The last time he saw her, although her hair was dark, it was a mess. And although her clothes were tighter than the norm, she dressed different from now. Now she wears a sweater dress, tights, and heels. Back then, she was still in sweats.

She’s come a long way. Even before we got together, she had started with the little details, such as losing the glasses and wearing fitted clothes, but here she looks regal. She looks like she belongs, and he’s staring. I step up, placing my arm around her again.

“This is my girlfriend, Willow. I’m not sure if you remember her . . .”

“Oh, I remember her,” he mutters before turning his attention back to her. “How could I forget her?” If my mom notices the tension, she says nothing. However, River must because she comes over quickly, throwing her arms around me and smiling at Willow.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” she says, and then she reaches her hand out and takes Willow’s. “Any friend of Jax’s is a friend of mine.” Then, as if they’ve been friends forever, she pulls Willow and me to the table.