Chapter 30

JJ and I wheeled our bags out of the terminal, the hum of travelers and the scrape of luggage wheels against the polished floor filling the space. The late afternoon sun spilled across the curbside, glinting off the roof of a sleek SUV waiting just ahead.

A woman stepped out, scanning the crowd. Blonde hair catching the light, calm eyes, approachable smile. JJ straightened immediately.

“Mom?” JJ called, waving.

The woman’s face lit up. “JJ! You look amazing!” She opened her arms. JJ stepped into a quick hug, and I hung back politely.

“Mom, this is Y/N,” JJ said.

Sandy turned to me, her smile warm. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard plenty about you.”

“Likewise, ma’am,” I said, keeping my tone respectful.

Sandy shook her head, her grin widening. “No, seriously. Please—call me Sandy.”

JJ nudged me gently with her elbow, smirking. “See? Told you she’s nicer than she sounds on the phone.”

I chuckled. “Much nicer.”

The SUV pulled up outside a small, cozy restaurant just as the sun began to dip behind the city skyline. Sandy killed the engine, and JJ and I slid our bags out.

“Here we are,” Sandy said, stretching her arms. “I hope you’re hungry. This place has the best seafood—locally caught, nothing frozen.”

I smiled. “Sounds perfect.”

The waiter arrived, taking our orders, and we fell into an easy rhythm. Conversation flowed naturally, touching on work, hobbies, and the little adventures JJ and I had taken together.

JJ excused herself to the bathroom, leaving Sandy and me alone at the table. The conversation had been light so far, but when the waiter stepped away, Sandy’s expression shifted, just slightly—more focused, deliberate.

“So,” she began, resting her elbows lightly on the table, “I want to ask you something serious.” Her eyes met mine evenly. “What are your intentions with my daughter?”

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden gravity of the question. “My… intentions?” I asked cautiously, unsure how far she expected me to go.

“Yes,” Sandy said, leaning back slightly. “I need to know—where you see this going, how you feel about her. I don’t ask lightly. After Will, I want to be sure she’s with someone who truly respects her, who’s serious about her, and who will be there for the long haul.”

I nodded, keeping my tone steady. “I understand completely. JJ is… everything to me. I love her, and I want to be there for her—through everything. I see a future with her, and I don’t take that lightly.”

Sandy studied me for a moment. “I appreciate your honesty. She means the world to me, with that being said, I did a little deep dive on you.” She pulled out a file.

Just then, JJ returned from the bathroom, sliding into her seat.

JJ’s eyes flicked between me and the file in Sandy’s hands, curiosity piqued. “What’s that?” she asked, leaning forward slightly.

Sandy gave a small, almost mischievous smile. “Just doing my due diligence. Wanted to make sure my daughter’s girlfriend is as solid as she says she is.”

“I’m sure I can explain whatever is in that file.” I said, keeping my voice even.

Sandy didn’t open it right away. She just rested her hand on top of it, studying me for a moment longer before finally speaking.

“It’s a financial audit,” she said plainly. “Assets, accounts, spending habits. Nothing illegal, nothing invasive. I wanted to know how you live.”

JJ’s head snapped toward her. “Mom—”

Sandy lifted a hand gently. “Jennifer. Let me finish.”

She looked back at me. “You own: three homes, four cars, and big investments in the stock market. You have a set income from two places, that are not from the FBI. You’re not a drug dealer are you?”

I blinked once, then let out a short breath that almost turned into a laugh. “No. Definitely not.”

JJ groaned, dropping her head back against the booth. “Oh my god.”

Sandy’s mouth twitched. “I had to ask.”

“I get it,” I said easily. “The houses were… timing and luck. Bought early, renovated, rented one out. The others came later. The cars are practical, one in New York, one at home, and the other two on my property in Ohio.”

“And the income?” Sandy prompted.

“Renting,” I said. “I have two property managers. JJ’s been to my home in New York, it’s an airbnb which brings in $5,000 a month. In Ohio, I own a property with two homes, one being my own, and the other being rented to a close family.”

Sandy nodded, thoughtful rather than skeptical now. “So it’s passive. You’re not chasing money—you set things up so it takes care of itself.”

“Exactly,” I said. “It gives me flexibility. And security.”

JJ lifted her head, looking between us. “She planned all of that before I even met her,” she added, a note of quiet pride in her voice.

“That matters,” Sandy said, glancing at JJ before returning her attention to me. “Especially with the life you two lead. Uncertainty is part of the job—home shouldn’t be.”

I gave a small nod. “That’s how I see it.”

Sandy leaned back, finally relaxing fully. “All right,” she said, decisively. “I’m done interrogating you.”

JJ exhaled loudly. “Thank god.”

Sandy smiled at her daughter, softer now. “I just wanted to know she could stand on her own—and that she’d stand with you.”

The waiter returned with our food, and just like that, the moment passed—file closed, questions answered—leaving behind something steadier, warmer, earned rather than assumed.

We stopped for ice cream on the way back—one of those small places with a walk-up window and a hand-painted menu that looked like it hadn’t changed in twenty years. Sandy insisted on paying, waved us off when JJ protested.

“Mom,” JJ said, laughing, “we’re adults.”

“I know,” Sandy replied, handing over the cash. “That’s why I get to spoil you now.”

Her house was quiet when we got there, warm lights glowing through the windows. It felt lived-in in the best way—comfortable, intentional. Sandy showed us where we’d be staying, handed JJ a spare key out of habit, then paused.

“You’re welcome here,” she said, looking at me directly. “Both of you.”

“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.

JJ slipped her hand into mine as Sandy disappeared down the hall, and she leaned in, voice low. “You survived.”

I smiled. “Barely.”

She laughed softly, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek.

“You wanna get out of here? I’ll show you around town. Maybe go get a drink?”

I caught her by the waist as she settled on my lap. “I could go for a drink. Would your mom mind?”

“I don’t think so. I’ll tell her we’re going for a bit.”

JJ slid off my lap and stood, still holding my hand. “Give me two seconds,” she said, already heading down the hall.

I could hear her voice carry faintly—easy, casual, practiced. “Mom, we’re gonna head out for a bit. Just a drink, we’ll be back later.”

There was a pause, then Sandy’s voice, amused. “Be safe.”

“Always,” JJ replied.

She came back grinning, grabbing her jacket and tossing it at me. “See? Cleared.”

I caught it and stood, slipping it on. “That sounded suspiciously easy.”

She shrugged. “She ran your finances. I think that bought you some trust.”

As we walked out of the car towards the bar, JJ draped her arms over my shoulders, pulling my neck down for a lingering kiss.

“You know how much I love you, right?” she murmured, her forehead resting against mine.

I smiled, brushing my thumb along her jaw. “I do. But I never get tired of hearing it.”

She huffed a quiet laugh and kissed me again, softer this time. “Good. Because I’m going to keep reminding you.”

As she walked away, I couldn’t help myself—I gave her a quick, playful slap on her ass.

She stopped short and shot me a look over her shoulder, brows lifting, a slow smile spreading across her face. “You keep that up and we’ll have to go to some place more private.” she said, amused, eyes glinting.

We walked in and ordered our drinks, the place buzzing just enough to feel alive without being overwhelming. JJ chose something local; I stuck with beer. When we stepped back outside, the patio lights were just coming on—soft yellow bulbs strung overhead, casting everything in a warm, easy glow.

We took a small table near the railing. JJ slid into her chair sideways, one knee brushing mine, like distance wasn’t something she’d ever learned to tolerate. She rested her elbow on the table, chin in her hand, watching me with that familiar, unreadable smile.

“I really like it here.” I said, looking around at the lttle city. “I could picture myself moving here or back in Columbus.”

“Yeah?” she said. “That’s not something people usually say five minutes into being here.”

I shrugged. “We could buy land and build a house. There’s a nice little city. And Columbus wouldn’t be the worst compromise.”

JJ’s smile shifted—small, thoughtful, like I’d surprised her in a good way. She glanced out over the street, then back at me.

I put my hand on her thigh, “I don’t need an answer now. I just am putting it out there.”

“Do you want to get a six pack and go to that?” I pointed at the flyer, which had a drive-in showing of Pulp Fiction tonight.

She stood as she finished her drink, setting the glass down with a soft clink. “Our blankets and pillows are still in the car,” she said casually, like it hadn’t been intentional at all. “I forgot to take them out.”

I raised a brow, already smiling. “Forgot, huh.”

She leaned down, brushing a quick kiss to my mouth—teasing, brief. “Optimistic.”

I laughed and stood, grabbing my beer. “Then yeah. Six-pack, drive-in, blankets already waiting? Sounds like a plan.”

As we walked toward the car, she bumped her hip into mine, fingers slipping into my back pocket like it was second nature.

The drive-in was already half full when we pulled in, headlights cutting through the dark before dimming as JJ eased us into a spot just off-center—close enough to see the screen clearly, far enough from the tight clusters of cars to feel like our own pocket of quiet. Pulp Fiction paused on the opening frame while engines idled and conversation softened into background noise.

JJ climbed into the back without hesitation, kicking off her shoes and spreading one of the blankets across the trunk space. She added the pillows with practiced ease, then reached out a hand to me like it was obvious where I belonged.

I joined her, settling back against the pillows. She shifted immediately, turning onto her side and tucking herself against me, her head fitting into the crook of my neck and shoulder. One arm slid across my torso, her palm resting over my ribs.

I draped an arm around her, my hand resting flat against her back beneath the blanket. She exhaled, slow and content, melting into my chest like that was the only place she meant to be.

Halfway into the movie, JJ burrowed her hand under my shirt, resting just beneath my breast. I looked down instinctively, breath catching—not from surprise, but from the quiet certainty in the way she did it.

She looked up with a grin, shifting closer until there was barely any space between us. She leaned in and kissed me—slow at first, soft and deliberate—but it didn’t stay that way. The kiss deepened, warmth building as her hands slid to my neck, fingers curling there with intention.

Her moans slipped out as I traced my tongue along hers. I kissed down her neck, lingering just long enough to leave marks that would surely bruise.

My hand slid down to her core. Rubbing over her panties, her moans grew louder and louder. My hand immediately went over her mouth, looking in her eyes while teasing her.

She couldn’t take the foreplay any longer and pushed my hand where she wanted it. I circled my fingers slowly, then slid one inside her, setting a smooth, steady rhythm as her hips rocked against my hand.

I groaned, “You’re so wet for me, baby. I want to hear you—but you can’t be loud.”

I moved my hand from her mouth, and she buried her face against my chest, whimpering. I slipped another finger inside her, and she looked up at me like she was right on the edge.

Her grip tightened on my arm. “Oh my god—fuck.”

Her legs tensing, breath coming fast. I lifted her face for a quick kiss, and she barely met it. I could tell it had taken everything out of her.

A wave of relaxation came over me as she curled into my side, her head settling on my chest, my leg caught between hers. My hand rested lightly along her back again, slower now.

Her breathing evened out gradually, soft against my collarbone, and I pressed a quiet kiss to the top of her head. The tension from a few minutes ago melted into something calmer—something steady.

On the screen, Pulp Fiction carried on, voices drifting through the speakers, pulling me back just enough to follow along. I didn’t move to turn it up or adjust anything. The low volume fit the moment.

JJ shifted slightly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing along my side, not trying to start anything—just there. Comfortable.

“You okay?” I murmured.

She hummed softly against me, a quiet, content sound. “Yeah… just—don’t move.”

I smiled to myself. “Wasn’t planning on it.”

We stayed like that for the rest of the movie, tangled together under the blanket, the night stretching on around us—quiet, warm, and easy in a way that didn’t need anything more.