Page 72 of Never Pucking Ending

Jesse’s chuckle is light. “Thanks, I appreciate that. Look, the point I’m trying to make is that we all have insecurities. And that’s okay. We’re human. It’s also okay to lay out your boundaries with people. If there are things you’re uncomfortable doing, let them know. If you’re not comfortable speaking to them, tell me and I’ll do it. That’s what teammates do.”

Team. We’re a team.

I smile. “Team Clarkson.”

He leans forward and brushes a kiss against my lips. It doesn’t last long, but it leaves my mouth tingling long after he pulls away. “Team Clarkson,” he agrees, eyes a tint darker than they were before.

When I glance out the windshield, I see Isaac standing by the door clearly ready to greet us. I lock up for a second wondering if he just saw us kiss but there’s no indication.

“Ready?” Jesse asks, oblivious to the fact somebody probably just saw him kiss me. I’m not about to bring attention to it, so I nod and follow him out of the car.

Isaac is smiling wide when we approach him, holding his hand out to Jesse first and shaking it, then at me. “I’d hug you, but…” That’s all he says before that smile grows and he winks at me, gesturing toward Jesse.

He definitely saw us kiss.

Jesse’s palm goes to my lower back, pressing against it as if to lay claim. A claim he doesn’t need to make, because Isaac simply laughs to himself and welcomes us in. “Follow me and I’ll show you where you’ll get ready. We’re finishing up the set now and getting the lighting adjusted. Then the team lead and photographer will take it from there and give you a quick rundown of what we’re thinking. Sound good?”

We walk into the massive warehouse, both agreeing to the agenda for the day. We’re greeted by friendly faces as we’re introduced one by one to the staff working on the shoot. By the time we’re getting our hair and makeup done and the wardrobe is brought into our respective rooms, my nerves have diminished when I see the outfits selected.

We’re a team. Team Clarkson.

I veto two options right away, and they don’t argue with me once. They simply get rid of them and show me the other pieces. By the time I’m dressed and ready, hair sprayed into place and makeup double checked, I feel…gorgeous.

Almost like Ashley Graham.

Isaac is waiting for me outside of my dressing room with the same smile on his face that he had before. He pushes off the wall and claps his hands together. “You look great, Belle. How do you feel?”

I don’t lie. “Great. I’m ready.”

He nods, gesturing for me to follow him. “I’ll show you the set. Jesse is still getting ready.”

We walk in silence down a few hallways that lead back out to an open space where they’ve set up a backdrop and lighting. It isn’t until we’re almost there when Isaac stops and clears his throat.

“Happiness looks good on you,” he states, sliding a hand in his pants pocket. “And, as far as I’m concerned, it’s about time.”

I gape at him. It’s time that I’m happy? I didn’t think I looked miserable before. “Um. Thanks?”

He chuckles at the question in my response, his free hand reaching up to scratch the column of his throat. “I just mean that I’ve always wondered about you two. A guy can tell when another guy is interested in his girl. Not that you were ever mine. But you know what I mean.”

Before I can reply, an arm winds around my waist. “You’re right,” Jesse says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “She wasn’t.”

Shock cements me to the floor.

Is he…?

Are we…?

Oh my God.

Isaac simply shrugs. “Like I said, I saw that coming a mile away. You two make sense. I always sort of thought that. Anyway, let me show you two what we’re working with.”

He speaks so causally like this isn’t a big deal. I look up at Jesse, who still has an arm around my waist. I barely have time to appreciate the athletic outfit they put him into. We sort of match in our sets, not that it was intentional. We’ve always had a knack for doing that, though.

“Did you really just do that?” I whisper as he turns us to follow Isaac, still not letting go.

“What?”

I pinch his side. “You know what. Are we…making this a public thing?”