The Quit List

by Katie Bailey

“Yes. I’m in love with her,” I say

“You show up for her when it matters most.”

Jax always puts me first. I see it, and I feel it, with the sort of clarity I never had with Dylan. It’s a feeling I ached to have for so long and never did, whereas Jax has been there for me from day one.

“No,” I say with a smile, remembering how Jax called my hit list ridiculous. “The only ridiculous thing I did was wait way too long for you to choose me, when you were never going to. So now, I quit. I’m done.”

I want a partner, not a savior. And I want that partner to be Jax. No matter how that looks, I choose to be with him, because I’ve already chosen myself.

“I realized I couldn’t leave today without first telling you that… I love you. I’m in love with everything that makes you who you are, Holly Greene.” “I love you, too,”

“I know I might not be what you originally wanted, but I need you to know that I’m always going to make you my priority, and I’m going to try⁠—” “You’re everything I want, Jax. I know what I really want now, and it’s you.”

“You’re my perfect man.” “The perfect man still doesn’t exist, Hollywood, so I can’t promise perfect. But what I can promise is to be your partner. Your co-pilot. Your equal. To choose you, every single day, always.”

“I choose you too, Jaxon ...

“I told you once to find a man who kisses you like he’s going to move heaven and earth for you. Bring down the sun, moon and stars. But what I didn’t tell you is to find a man who also loves you like that. Who wakes up every day in your corner. Who’ll do anything for you, go to the ends of the earth for you.”

“But I guess I didn’t need to tell you any of that, because you already had one. Have one.”

“And I want to continue to be that man for you until the day I die. I love you, Holly. You’ve changed my life and you’re the center of my

universe. I’m hoping that you’ll do me the hono...

“Yes!” I practically scream, my head spinning....