Chapter 20 - Jack

The clang of metal and the steady hiss of welding torches fill the air, a symphony of noise that’s always felt like home. But today, none of it cuts through the buzz in my head. My thoughts keep drifting, no matter how much I try to focus on the piece of steel I’m working on. It’s been days since Sonya stayed the night, and every minute that passes without her around feels like a weight pressing down on my chest.

I set my torch down, wiping the sweat from my brow as I glance around the shop. Reiner’s across the room, barking out orders to one of the newer guys while everyone else is busy, heads down and eyes glued to their work. Normally, I’d be right there with them, lost in the rhythm of the job. But not today. Today, my mind’s somewhere else entirely.

Or rather, with someone else.

The sound of the shop door creaking open catches my attention, and I turn just in time to see Sonya step inside with Fiona balanced on her hip. She’s wearing a loose sundress that flutters around her knees, and her hair’s pulled back in a messy bun that somehow still looks perfect. She spots me and offers a small wave. Her smile is bright enough to cut through the haze of dust and smoke surrounding me.

I raise my hand in response, trying to fight the stupid grin that’s threatening to spread across my face. She’s got this way of lighting up a room, of making everything else fade into the background. And when she’s holding Fiona, it’s like looking at something out of a dream.

Reiner’s the first to notice, a wide grin splitting his face as he saunters over. “Well, look who decided to drop by,” he calls out, his voice booming over the noise. “About time we got some real sunshine in here.”

Sonya laughs, and the sound is music to my ears. “Hey, Reiner. Thought we’d come by and see what kind of trouble you boys are getting into.”

Reiner reaches out, taking Fiona from Sonya’s arms with the ease of someone who’s done it a hundred times. “Trouble? Us? Nah, we’re on our best behavior today, right, Jack?”

I chuckle, shaking my head as I wipe my hands on a rag. “Right. Always.”

Sonya steps closer, her eyes scanning the shop with genuine curiosity. I can’t help but watch her, the way she moves, the way she fits so seamlessly into this space that’s always been mine.

One of the other guys, Jake, wanders over, and his eyes light up at the sight of Fiona. “Hey there, little lady,” he says, tickling her foot. Fiona giggles, and it’s like a spark ignites in the middle of the shop. Suddenly, everyone’s paying attention, crowding around to coo at Fiona and chat with Sonya.

She handles it like a pro, laughing and talking with each of them like she’s known them for years. She’s got that easy charm, the kind that makes people instantly feel at ease. I watch as she answers questions about Fiona, sharing little stories that make the guys laugh and shake their heads in amusement. She’s a natural, effortlessly blending into the mix of welders and mechanics like she was always meant to be here.

Reiner holds Fiona up, making faces that have her squealing with delight, and I can’t help but feel a swell of pride. This is my world, and Sonya’s right in the middle of it, making it all better just by being here.

I can’t take my eyes off her, and I don’t want to. Every time she laughs or glances my way, it’s like the oxygen has been sucked out of the room in the best possible way. I’ve never brought anyone here before, never let anyone see this side of me. But with Sonya, it feels right. Like she belongs here just as much as I do.

As the guys fuss over Fiona, I take my chance and step closer to Sonya, nudging her with my elbow. “Hey, you want a quick tour?”

She raises an eyebrow, smirking. “Oh, so this is how you get all the girls, huh? Show them your fancy welding shop?”

I grin, leaning in so our shoulders brush. “Wouldn’t know. Haven’t had anyone to show since you came along.”

Her smirk falters, just a little, and her eyes soften as she looks at me. “Really?”

“Really,” I say, holding her gaze.

There’s a flicker of something in her eyes—hope, maybe, or uncertainty—and it hits me like a punch to the chest. I don’t want to hide this anymore. I don’t want to pretend she’s just some temporary part of my life when every fiber of my being is screaming that she’s meant to be so much more.

She glances around, her eyes landing on Reiner, who’s still entertaining Fiona with exaggerated expressions and silly sounds. “You sure you’re not just saying that?”

I shake my head, stepping in a little closer so our hips bump. “I’m sure. Sonya, I haven’t… I haven’t looked at anyone else. Not since you and Fiona came into my life.”

Her breath catches, and she looks at me like she’s seeing me for the first time. There’s this charged moment between us, where the noise of the shop fades away and it’s just the two of us standing there, the space between us electric. I want to pull her close, to kiss her until there’s no doubt left in either of our minds, but I know this isn’t the place.

Still, I can’t help myself. I lean in, catching the corner of her mouth in a sneaky kiss that leaves her breathless and grinning. “Jack,” she says, half-exasperated, half-amused. “We’re in the middle of your shop.”

I shrug, not bothering to hide my grin. “So?”

She laughs, a sound that’s bright and real, and it warms me from the inside out. “You’re impossible.”

“Yeah, but you like me, anyway,” I tease, planting another quick kiss on her cheek before she can protest. Her smile widens, and for a moment, everything else disappears. It’s just us, tangled up in this crazy, messy thing that’s somehow turning into the best part of my life.

We linger there, sharing a few more stolen moments, until Reiner clears his throat loudly, shooting me a knowing look as he bounces Fiona in his arms. “Hey, lover boy, you planning on working today, or should we all just take the day off?”

Sonya snickers, and I give Reiner a mock salute. “Yeah, yeah, I’m on it.”

We reluctantly step back, rejoining the others as Sonya gets pulled into another conversation with one of the guys. I watch her, my chest tight with something I can’t quite name, and it hits me all over again how much I want her in my life. Not just today, not just for a little while. I want her here, with me, with Fiona.

Reiner hands Fiona back to Sonya, who takes her with a smile that could light up the whole damn shop. I dive back into work, but my focus is shot. My mind keeps drifting back to Sonya, to how she fits so effortlessly into my world and how she makes everything seem a little brighter.

The hours drag by, each one longer than the last. I can’t stop thinking about her, about the way she looked at me when I told her I hadn’t been with anyone else. The way she leaned into me like she was ready to take that leap, too. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want this—to keep her, to make her a part of every corner of my life.

By the time the workday ends, I’m still no closer to figuring out how to make that happen. I’ve never been good at this—at opening up, at letting people in. But for her, I want to try. I have to. Because the idea of going back to how things were before Sonya and Fiona is unbearable.

As I clean up my station, I catch Reiner watching me with a knowing smirk. “You’re in deep, aren’t you?”

I shrug, but I know it’s pointless to deny it. “Yeah. I guess I am.”

He claps me on the back. “Don’t screw this up, man. Sonya’s good for you. Fiona, too.”

“I know.” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Believe me, I don’t want to mess this up.”

Reiner nods, his gaze steady. “Then don’t.”

It’s simple advice, but it’s easier said than done. Still, I can’t help but feel a flicker of hope as I watch Sonya chatting with the guys, Fiona giggling in her arms. Maybe this isn’t as complicated as I’m making it out to be. Maybe all I have to do is take that leap and trust that she’ll be there to catch me.

For the rest of the day, I keep stealing glances at her, unable to stop thinking about our conversation, about the way she feels so damn right in my life. And as the sun starts to dip behind the trees, I know one thing for sure: I’m not ready to let this go. Not now. Not ever.

But the question that keeps gnawing at me is whether Sonya feels the same. And if she does, what the hell am I going to do to keep her here, with me, for good? Because the more time I spend with her, the more I realize that losing her isn’t an option I’m willing to consider. Not anymore.