Tate hated the phrase I told you so. Her siblings said it every chance they could while growing up and even into adulthood. She said it too, but saying it and being the recipient were two very different things. They all thought it after Duncan left her. She smiled, the memory of what happened next had started something. Maybe it started at fourteen or sixteen? She no longer recoiled inside at the thought of being kissed at sixteen.

Jimmy could have said I told you so, but he didn't. After opening up about that night, Tate felt like she could fill her lungs for the first time. Jimmy taught her she deserved whatever her heart desired which was him. As she smiled at him her heart desired going back to bed and letting him kiss every inch of her body. The man was thorough in all his pursuits.

Instead, she reached up and fixed his thick hair. "No, gel today?"

"Nope. Sundays are casual."

His jeans hugged him just right. He hadn't worked out earlier, but his tee fit like a glove. He wasn't bulky. Just perfect. Perfect was her favorite word.

They had spent the night at his house, but their days were limited. Joseph and Elena would be home all summer. Still procrastinating even after their big fight when Jimmy knocked down the wall she had built around herself, they needed to reveal their relationship.

Ivy gave them the opportunity by inviting them both to Sunday brunch. Tate was tired of pretending on evenings they couldn't stay home.

"Baby, it'll be fine. Ivy probably suspects. Hasn't she commented that we are getting along better?"

"Baxter and Ivy are only round one."

"Sweetheart, you'll love Dover. Honestly, the only person to worry about is Stella, the housekeeper. She might embarrass me."

Tate laughed joyfully. "Why would I worry about you being embarrassed?"

He pouted. "Because you love me. Seriously, today will be easy. My parents will be easy and your mother will be thrilled. Just stick to our story."

They abbreviated their past to eliminate rehashing the accident and changing the known facts about Sheriden's death. She was drunk. Jimmy wasn't happy, so they were fighting about it.

"I know and we didn't kiss that night."

They had debated and decided to arrive at brunch together. Jimmy had suggested walking. The temperature was perfect, almost the same outside as in. A light breeze blew the fragrance from the flowers. Bumble bees buzzed and Tate felt a bounce in her step. She felt as new as the tender buds on the rose bush they passed.

"The breeze is blowing the flowery scents."

Jimmy laughed. "It's blowing the pollen."

Tate frowned at the yellow dust. "Sheriden was allergic."

He stopped walking. "Will you go see Mrs. Marsh with me? I think it would make her happy."

"Us together?"

"Yes, she never blamed anyone, except maybe the adults who let kids drink."

"Kids always drink. She wasn't driving."

"I never had a drink that night."

"I know and I can talk about it easier, but let's not. Today is about us."

"I like us." He smiled at her and she felt warmth in her toes. She imagined him looking like Joseph and still smiling the same way.

When Baxter opened the door, he smiled. "Perfect timing. We've set up breakfast on the roof."

Their love nest had a rooftop deck. Tate would never have a cute little home. Her children will be raised like she had been, surrounded by family history.

Baxter offered them a mimosa. "Jimmy, how's business? We never see you anymore."

Tate smirked as Jimmy sighed. "I've been going to Vail more than I like."

Ivy frowned. "I thought you enjoyed traveling."

Jimmy shook his head. "I prefer home. I'm spoiled. Charles serves me dinner and the maids clean my mess."

"Sounds like a hotel to me." Baxter winked.

"Nope. Home is not a hotel."

"So Vail, how much did you lose or did you stick it to old Dawson."

"Old Dawson isn't so bad. I was this close to buying him out." He put his finger to his thumb leaving a tiny gap. "But Whitby came through with a decent offer. Did I lose playing games? Yes, but only to Duncan, but he took the hit harder than me. It was worth it."

Ivy frowned. "Why did you bother getting revenge? It's not like you even like Tate."

Jimmy smiled. "I've always liked Tate."

Baxter chuckled. "Since when?"

"Since before the time you told me to look out for your sister, but hands off."

Tate had stood by quietly, enjoying the show. Unfortunately, Ivy drew her in. "You never liked him though."

Tate looked at Jimmy. "I had the biggest crush on him, but thanks to my brother he asked my best friend out. Let's just say it didn't end well."

Jimmy said, "That's an understatement."

Baxter put his arm around Tate. She loved his protectiveness. She drew in a long breath and slowly released it. "Jimmy and I had a long talk about that night. It helped a lot."

"When did you do that?"

"Right after she almost put me in traction because she thought I was selling Dawson out from under Dickie. The guy just wants to retire."

"I only threatened to hurt you." Tate's eyes danced amusingly.

"You guys are weird." Baxter let her go and picked up his drink.

Jimmy chuckled. "We also talked about Tate's curse."

Baxter shook his head. "Tate, it doesn't have to be a curse."

"For me it always was. I think I'd like the cross back to reverse the curse."

"How do you plan to do that?"

"By kissing the guy without the pain and horror of the accident surrounding me."

"You know who it is?" Ivy's eyes popped out.

"I've always known, but the timing was traumatic." Not a lie at all.

"Who is it?" Baxter looked poised to jump into protective mode.

Jimmy raised his hand. "Me."

"You? But you two have hated each other for years."

"Not hated, but we blamed each other and ourselves when it was Sheriden who stepped out of the car."

Baxter frowned. "She caused the damn flat."

Jimmy laughed. "You know if you hadn't been so bossy. I never would have dated her and probably wouldn't have been with them that night."

Tate smiled. "Yeah, we would have had a chauffeur take us."

Baxter put his hands up. "I'm not falling for this guilt trip. What does this mean about the cross?"

"It means that Jimmy kissed Tate and they can't fight it, because they love each other."

Jimmy laughed. "I'm glad Ivy is following along. We kissed on the day of the funeral to comfort ourselves, but the cross was cursed."

Tate let the wolf, formerly known as snake or shark, handle the lie.

"But you hate commitment and marriage." Baxter furrowed his brow.

Jimmy sighed. "I didn't realize that my heart was being held hostage. I thought the cross was one-sided. Then I saw you two, and the others."

Ivy jumped. "Do you mean you love her?"

Jimmy smiled. "I do and please don't deck me because I've slept with her."

Baxter sighed. "I should have decked Dawson, not you. Mother is going to plan your wedding."

"We're not engaged." Tate feared her mother, but it would give Amelia a purpose.

"Yet. Let us tell people on our own. My parents are back this week."

"Doyle is on tour with a rock band. Bax, worry about her. She thinks she's in love." Maybe Tate should give her the cross. That would balance out her mother's elation over a Kane/Sinclair wedding.

The oldest Kane's face paled. Ivy bubbled over. "Honey, go get the cross, I want to see them kiss." Baxter disappeared and Ivy smiled at Tate. "Is the sex better than with Duncan?"

"Definitely."

"I never told you but I thought it was strange the night before your wedding you didn't think sex was exciting."

"I know. I was very wrong."

Jimmy scowled. "I'm right here. Do women really talk about sex?"

"Don't worry." She put her hand on his arm. "I won't share all our secrets."

Winded, Baxter arrived holding up the cross. Jimmy took it. "You need to work out."

"I do, but I ran up the stairs."

Jimmy slipped the necklace around her neck and clasped it. "I want to buy you jewelry." He turned her to face him. When his lips met hers they tenderly caressed. It was very much like the memory she remembered from her birthday. When they separated the softness in his eyes said it all. Her heart felt even lighter. She wanted to sing or hum, but she just beamed. In her mind, she said, I'm in love.

Ivy clapped. "I'm so happy. Our best friends together! Jimmy will be family too."

Baxter winked. "Do I have to threaten you?"

"I've already threatened myself. We'll have prenups, but if I fail her, she'll get the amount of the Dawson sale."

"Jimmy. I don't want your money. Besides Bax, I can put him on the ground myself."

They laughed, and Tate's hand went to the cross. She had worn it for years after it was cursed. If she hadn't taken it off when Duncan bailed, maybe their journey would have been easier. Cross and cake. Quickly, she shook her head. Baxter had needed it to seal his fate with Ivy.

Last chapter is tomorrow. Thanks for voting ⭐️