Page 43 of Don't Think

I turn to him, and even though he can’t see me, I smile. “I’m a registered nurse,” I answer proudly.

“Wow,” he breathes out. “I’ve heard studying that is pretty intense.”

I nod. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Going to school full-time while raising two daughters practically alone—”

I clamp my lips shut as soon as the words leave my mouth.

And I thought Nora overshared? Look at me go. Dropping personal things about my life that he never asked for.

Although his expression doesn’t shift. He’s still wearing that same calm, curious look. And he’ll never know how much that means to me. How much I appreciate him not flinching, pulling away, and not running away like others have.

Every guy I’ve ever gone on a date with bolted the second they found out I have two kids. I never even had time to set my purse down before they were flagging the waiter for the check.

We’re always afraid people will see us as used up, like we’ve already given away the parts of ourselves that matter most. That’s the common misconception about single moms—that all we bring to the table is extra baggage and nothing else to offer.

But if you ask me? We bring extralove. The kind of love that shows you matter to more than just one person in this world.

“See? I knew there had to be dedication in there,” he says gently. “That sort of thing is something your daughters will really look up to when they’re older.”

My breath is trapped somewhere in my throat while my eyes sting with tears. I blink them back rapidly, taking in a deep breath and blowing it out silently.

As silly as it sounds, that might be the kindest thing anyone’s ever said to me. It feels…grounding. Like someone mightactually see the sacrifices I’ve made for my girls and not take them and run.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Most people don’t understand how hard it is unless they’ve been through it.”

He nods slowly. “Do you mind me asking… where their father was? I mean, if you were going to school full-time and raising two daughters, that must’ve been a lot.”

“He and I split up two years ago,” I admit with a shrug. “We just weren’t communicating anymore. We slowly became disconnected in every way that mattered. My mom and Ana stepped in to help and made sure I could graduate on time.”

He smiles warmly, making my belly do somersaults. “I’m glad you had people to lean on.”

“Me too,” I say, then rest my head back against the cushion.

Jax mirrors from beside me, and we sit there in silence, listening while the rain pats softly against the large bay window. When I close my eyes, all I see are my girls, and my heart aches, but it’s a little softer this time.

I miss them so much, I couldn’t even begin to put it into words. But I know they’re safe. And I finally realize that maybe Trevor might have been right about needing to let them adjust to being with him.

Even if it sucks for me.

Chapter Fourteen

Jax

Nothing will wake you up quicker than the sun’s rays burning holes through your eyelids.

I squint against it, trying to make sense of the room, but everything’s a blur—and my shoulder’s stuck.

Frowning, I tilt my head enough to look down and… that explains it.

Allie’s red hair is scattered across her forehead, her lips parting slightly with each soft breath—and the way my heart skitters? Man, there’s nothing like it.

Instead of jostling her to wake up likethe screaming in my shoulder is trying to convince me to do, I sink deeper into the cushion.

When she told me she was a full-time nurse along with taking care of two kids, it really opened my eyes to how lucky we are to be able to play music. I know for a fact I couldn’t stomachhalf the shit nurses have to deal with, never mind adding sleep deprivation on top of it.

She stirs beside me, wiping her hand along her forehead while her eyes flutter open. She doesn’t move at first, still nestled right in my shoulder, before her eyes widen and she peels herself off me.

She stammers, her eyes darting around the room quickly.