Chapter 36
Jake
I sit in front of my computer, my eyes locked on the tiny human appearing on the screen. She really looks like me, with green eyes and long blonde hair that falls over her shoulders.
Jessie sits quietly behind her. I probably will never forget what happened, but Agatha, my little sister, shouldn’t have to suffer for their mistakes.
“Hi,” I say, my voice sounding unfamiliar even to my own ears, softer with more emotions than I anticipated. A surprising warmth spreads through my chest when her smile lights up the screen. “Do you know who I am?” I lean slightly forward, peering into the camera.
“Jake,” she says in a voice as adorable as her smile, pure and melodic.
“That’s right, I’m your big brother Jake.” I say the words with a smile as I watch her bounce up and down on her mother’s lap. The term brother feels real and significant for the first time since I’ve found out about her. I’m already in love with her.
After a few minutes, her attention drifts, and my story about me and my dad going camping doesn’t seem interesting to her anymore. She runs off to play, throwing a “bye” over a shoulder that makes me laugh. Jessie and I exchange a few words before I end the call.
I lean back on the chair and rub my hands over my face. A small involuntary smile forms as I think about my sister, so adorable and innocent.
As the silence grows, my mind inevitably drifts to Mia like it always does. It’s been two days since I laid everything on the line. Well, not everything since I didn’t tell how utterly in love I am with her. The silence is deafening, yet hopeful. She hasn’t said no, which means she’s considering it.
Checking my phone, there are no messages from her. Alex is out with them, but I’ve chosen to stay behind, giving Mia the space she needs. I don’t want to pressure her.
I need a shower to clear my head.
As I am stepping out of the shower, a knock at the door startles me. Alex has a spare key, and I didn’t order room service.
I wrap a towel around my waist before stepping out of the bathroom. My hair is still damp from the shower.
I freeze the moment I open the door and find Mia standing there. Her eyes are wide, taking in my bare chest down to my biceps, and pausing at the tattoo on my arm. I got it a few months ago for my birthday. It’s the first time she is seeing it and I wonder what she is thinking.
“Hi,” I say, finally finding my voice. Does she even have the slightest idea how nervous she makes me? Maybe I’m good at hiding it.
“Hi,” she says, her breathing shallow and quick.
I step aside to let her in, and my heart races with anticipation. “Give me a minute to put some clothes on.” I rush back into the bathroom, the tiles cool under my bare feet. I throw on a pair of pants and a lightweight tank top before making my way back to the living area.
I find her standing by the balcony, absorbed in the view of the mountains, where the sun begins its descent. Despite the breathtaking beauty of the scenery, it’s her presence that truly captivates me. The subtle rise and fall of her shoulders with each breath, the gentle flutter of her hair in the evening breeze. She shines brighter than the sunset, her beauty is as radiant as the moon.
Sensing my presence, she slowly turns around, and our eyes lock as the silence stretches around us. “Water or wine?” I ask to break the ice.
“You got a tattoo.”
Of course, that’s the first thing she blurts out.
It wasn’t a question, but I answered with a soft “yes.”
“Can I?” she asks, not waiting for my permission as she steps closer, her gaze fixed on the ink that sleeves my arm. Her fingers trace the lines. She smells like wine and roses, an intoxicating combination. Her touch is feathering light, sending little flips through my heart, unsettling my composure.
“It’s the waterfall,” she says.
“Yes,” I breathe out, struggling to focus on anything but the growing desire to feel the softness of her lips against mine. Damn it. The more I try not to think about it, the more it consumes my thoughts.
Get it together, Jake.
I thought my first tattoo would be a cliff or a peak, something related to climbing. But when I finally sat in the tattoo chair, my thoughts weren’t on climbing. I couldn’t stop thinking about her and the summer we spent together.
I thought of the waterfall—the place, the sound, the magic of it all… and of us. And I knew then I wanted to carry a piece of that summer with me forever.
“Why?” she finally asks.
I turn to face her more directly. “It reminds me of you.” I lock eyes with her. “You were right. Falling doesn’t always have to hurt. With the right person, it’s about surrender, to give up control.”
Her fingers pause as she listens, and when our eyes meet, there’s a noticeable softening around the edges of her gaze, the tension in her forehead easing as we connect. This connection, this falling with her. I’d choose it every day, especially when it gets rocky.
She paces before me, her arms folded across her chest, her movements betraying her anxiety. I can feel her fear, a mirror of my own.
“Mia,” I call out gently, trying to catch her attention, but she keeps moving, wrapped up in her own turmoil.
Reaching out, I gently catch her wrist. Her pulse flutters like a caged bird against my fingers, though she doesn’t immediately look up.
“Talk to me.” I lift her chin so her eyes—vulnerable and brimming with unshed tears—meet mine.
“I’m scared,” she whispers, her voice shaking. She looks away briefly, gathers her courage, then locks eyes with me again. “It all sounds so perfect, but you… You were the guy who avoided relationships, who never slept with the same girl twice to avoid any attachment.”
Her words sting because they’re true.
“Have I ever lied to you?” I ask quietly, needing her to see my sincerity.
She shakes her head, her curls brushing her cheeks.
“Meeting you… it changed all of that,” I confess, my heart swelling as I hold her gaze. “I built walls around me for years, not wanting to hurt anyone, especially not you.” The emotions threaten to overwhelm me, but I push through. “You’ve climbed over those walls, and there’s something real between us I want to explore.”
I let my words hang for a moment, my gaze searching hers for signs of acceptance.
“I know we’re both scared,” I continue, my voice steady despite the storm of feelings inside me. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, Mia. This…us…it’s new for me, too. If I wasn’t sure about my feelings, I wouldn’t be here.” I take a moment, searching for the right words. “I want all of it with you—the attachment, the falling in love. ” I trace my finger on the bridge of her nose and she chuckles just like she used to.“I don't want to lose you because you mean everything to me. ”
“Okay,” she says simply.
I smile. “I’m going to need a bit more than okay,” I tease.
She tucks a stray curl behind her ear. “Let’s try for the summer. Then , we can decide after if we want to do this long-term.”
Joy and relief flood through me, lighting up every corner of my heart. This is my chance to make things right. To show her how much I adore her, and to really get to know her, and vice versa. It’s an opportunity for us to open fully, no holding back.
A grin spreads across my face, so wide that it hurts. Without thinking, I lift her up and spin her around, her laughter, light and infectious, fills the room. Oh God, I missed that laugh.
“Put me down,” she giggles, wriggling out of my arms. “You’re squeezing me too hard. I need oxygen, you know.” She laughs, pushing against my chest.
I chuckle, my heart light, and carefully place her back on the ground. “Sorry,” I say, still smiling. I keep my hands around her waist, admiring her beautiful face up close. I look for the little freckles that's kinda hidden behind her make up.
“So, how are we going to do this?” Her brows furrow. “With me living here, and you in Boston.”
“I’ll rent a cottage for the summer; we can figure the rest out later.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Or, you can stay with me. I have a spare bedroom.”
I hesitate, scratching the back of my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Are you scared, Jacob Harrington?” Hearing my full name from her lips always sends shivers down my spine and straight to my shaft. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
“I’m not scared.” I try to sound confident. “But I think it’s smarter if I rent a cottage.” Being that close to her, and not being able to touch her, would only lead to disaster. And I know it was my idea, but I want to show her I adore all of her—mind, body, and soul.
“I meant what I said,” I pull her closer, “I want to show that I care about all of you, your thoughts, your dreams, and your heart.”
My forehead leans against hers, breathing her in like she’s the very air I need. I press my lips to hers, and the simple touch ignites a fire within my body. We stay like that for a few seconds, neither of us move our lips. Pulling away, she grants me a beautiful smile, and my heart swells even further. I am completely and utterly enamored by her.