Page 224 of Iced Up Love: Part Two
That lands. Hard. Because I know exactly what she’s giving me. She’s placing that responsibility in my hands. She trusts me to control the fallout. To protect her. To make sure nothing touches her.
I feel it settle in my chest.
Heavy.
Absolute.
“This could work in our favour,” she continues.
“How?” I ask.
“The charity event next week. Evelyn’s event. For Zach’s foundation. I want to go.”
“No.”
“You can’t stop me from going,” she says calmly. “This matters. And I’m not going to stop living my life.”
My jaw tightens.
“We can use it,” she adds. “As the moment we go public.”
Silence stretches.
“And if something goes wrong,” she says again, softer now, “I trust you.”
That’s what shifts it. I exhale slowly.
“Fine.”
Jackson stills.
“But I handle security,” I continue. “Every detail. And the second something feels off, we leave.”
“I understand,” she says. “Thank you.”
I hate that she says that.
Jackson leans in, kissing her again, softer but no less certain.
“I can’t wait for people to know you’re mine.”
Then he looks at her again, more serious now.
“I have to start posting again,” he says. “Social media. They’re pushing it hard. I want to post something with you.”
She hesitates slightly.
“How much?”
“Not your face,” he says quickly. “I won’t put you through that. Not after everything.”
His hand finds hers on the table, thumb brushing over her knuckles.
“But… I need something. Something small. Even if it’s just our hands. Something that tells people I’m with someone.”
He pauses, his voice lowering.
“That I’m not available anymore.”
