like Jackson had performed some spell. “I don’t mean to do it, Jackson. I swear, I don’t. I have these nightmares that I wake up one morning and I’m all alone and everything between us is gone and I’m just this disfigured freak, all alone in my hospital bed, and he’s won because he took you away from me.”
Day’s stomach dropped when he saw Jackson’s gaze soften, like he felt sorry for Day, but he couldn’t stop talking. It was like somebody had opened the floodgates, and it just kept pouring out of him.
“You call me beautiful, but I don’t even recognize my face. I know you all think I’m crazy, but I get scared that you’re all just humoring me and you are only sticking around because you don’t want to leave your crippled boyfriend, and that scares me, not only because I don’t know how to live without you now, but because my friends and family were your friends and family first, and if I lose you…” Day sobbed. “If I lose you, I lose everybody.”
Jackson stared at Day in stunned silence for a full minute as Day’s insides shriveled. But then Jackson was cupping his face. “Jesus, Dayton. Why haven’t you said anything? Why are you so afraid to talk to me? I need you to hear me. Are you listening?” Day gave a hesitant nod, tears still falling. “Good. I’m never leaving you, Day. Ever. And not because I feel sorry for you. You’re not disfigured. I know you are going through a lot because you look different, but different doesn’t mean bad. I call you beautiful, because you are beautiful, inside and out, but even if you weren’t…even if that fucking piece of shit had mangled your face, I wouldn’t fucking care. Your friends wouldn’t care. Our family wouldn’t care. You are more than your pretty face. Christ, Day. I love you. We all love you.”
“I don’t mean to be like this, I swear,” Day sobbed.
Jackson dropped his forehead to Day’s. “You can be crazy if that’s what you need. But please, don’t think I don’t love you. Please, stop shutting me out. If you are feeling insecure and you need me to tell you all the things I love about you, then tell me and I will. I will tell you when you first wake up in the morning and I’ll tell you when you fall asleep at night if that’s what you need. I told you months ago. I’m all in.”
“You didn’t even know me then,” Day whispered, then sniffled.
“Yeah, I did. I’ve known you my whole life. I just hadn’t found you yet. My gut has never been wrong.”
Day’s heart stuttered off beat at Jackson’s words, but Day just gave him a watery smile. “You really are so corny and romantic.”
Jackson kissed Day’s lips. “You love it. Admit it.”
“I love you,” Day promised.
“That’s a start.”
Dayton sat in his office with his feet up on the desk, his headphones in his ears and his microphone in front of his mouth. He didn’t look at the screen, just listened to the English translation and repeated it in French as his computer transcribed it onto the document before him. He glanced at the clock on his desk. It was ten after seven and they should have been gone twenty-minutes ago. Day smiled. Leave it to Jackson to make them late for their own company Christmas party.
When Day saw Jackson’s office door open, he ended his document and saved it so he could start again on Monday. Jackson shook the other man’s hand and headed towards Day’s office. He looked so handsome in his navy blue Hugo Boss suit with his crisp white shirt and black tie. “Hey, Daddy,” Day purred when Jackson reached the door.
Jackson grinned. “Hey, yourself, beautiful. You ready to go?”
Day stood, showing off his tailored black pants, white shirt, and gold brocade jacket, complete with black bow-tie. “I was ready an hour ago, when you told me to be here. So, I’ve been finishing up the Arsenault contract while I wait.”
Jackson grabbed him by the lapels and tugged him closer, kissing him until Day’s toes curled in his overpriced shoes. “Gold star for you. I promise it will reflect nicely in your annual review.”
“As your boyfriend or as your corporate interpreter?” Day murmured, smile smug.
“Both,” Jackson countered, slapping Day’s ass.
Eighteen months had passed since Jackson and Day had crossed paths, but Jackson couldn’t keep his hands off Day. He supposed the same