Both women’s expressions fell from polite excitement to shock.
Lexi turned to Jax and slid her arm around his waist. “I’m ready to go. How about you?”
He only nodded, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and followed her lead as she led the way deeper backstage.
Jax stopped her again before they reached the area where photographers crawled over the space.
She glanced up at him. “What?”
“Photographers…”
She grinned. “You can’t be camera shy.”
He laughed with the joy of feeling so complete. Then he circled her in his arms and sobered. “I should never have left you that night,” he said, his voice a hoarse murmur. “I didn’t know what else to do. I’ve missed you so much. I’m so sorry—”
She pressed her fingers to his lips. “Just tell me you’ll stay.”
“I’ll stay.” He lowered his lips to hers, whispering, “Always.”