Chapter 38
Jake
T he kiss is quick and sweet, but it’s enough to leave me dizzy. Fearing I might lose control if we continue, I gently lift her up and set her beside me on the couch. She crosses her legs, and the intensity in her gaze tells me I’m not the only one affected by the kiss.
Needing a distraction, I turn my attention to the food. “I’ve got shrimp pasta and wine,” I say. “And I thought maybe we could narrate the book I picked earlier. I’ll read his point of view, and you can read hers.”
“That sounds perfect.” She says grabbing her plates. “So, how do you feel about having to talk to Jessie?” She rolls her fork around her pasta.
“I’ll never be okay with it. Even if I wasn’t in love with her or we weren’t an official couple, it doesn’t change the fact she slept with my dad.” The thought is still disturbing. “But Agatha shouldn’t suffer from their mistakes. She’s so sweet and adorable.” A genuine smile spreads across my face at the thought of my little sister.
She nods, taking a sip of her wine. “And your dad. Have you forgiven him?”
“It’s harder to hold a grudge against a dead man, but I’ve taken your advice and remember the good times, that he loved me in his own fucked up way.”
Talking about him doesn’t feel as suffocating as before.
“You did it for you, not for him. You deserve to be happy, and holding a grudge can weigh you down.” She places her hand over mine.
I’ve avoided love and relationships all my life, afraid of giving anyone the power to hurt me like he did. That if I let someone in, eventually they would realize I’m not worthy of love and stop loving me too. But looking at her now, I realize I would rather have my heart broken a thousand times than miss out on the chance to love her.
“You’re right,” I acknowledge with a half-smile.
“I am right,” she laughs, twirling some spaghetti on her fork. After swallowing her bite and taking another sip of wine, she asks, “So how’s it going with Peak Finders?”
My smile widens involuntarily. “So, you’ve been keeping tabs on me?”
“No,” she deflects, quickly shoveling another forkful of pasta into her mouth.
I stare at her for a few seconds with a knowing look. “It’s doing great, I love teaching them.”
“Do you miss them?”She asks, setting her wineglass down.
“I enjoy being around them, and yes I miss them, but I’d rather be here with you than anywhere else,” I tell her, catching her eyes as I speak. It’s important to me she sees the sincerity in my gaze; I want her to know the truth in my words.
As we continue our conversation, my phone vibrates on the table, interrupting the moment. Setting my plate aside, and pick up my phone to check the notification. It’s an email from Sergio, but I ignore it for now.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch her trying to steal a shrimp from my plate. “You could have just asked instead of stealing my shrimp,” I tease, chuckling. “I’ll give you everything you want.” I’d give her the moon if she asked, except she already is my moon. I pick the shrimps off my plate and add them to hers.
Once we finish eating, I grab our books, and she lays her head in my lap as we take turns reading.
“You know, if climbing or managing the hotel doesn’t work out, you could be an audiobook narrator . Your voice is perfect,” her words make me smile, though it’s her voice that mesmerizes me. Everything about her does.
Finishing my chapter, I wait for her to continue, but she doesn’t say anything.
“It’s your turn, baby.”
Glancing down, her eyes are closed, and her breathing is deep and even. The steady rise and fall of her chest sync with the calm night around us. Carefully, I brush a stray curl from her face, revealing her serene expression. God, I love her so much it hurts. Is it crazy to think I’ve loved her before in another life?
“I love you,” I whisper, needing to say it before my heart explodes. She stirs slightly, as if she can hear me. “Come on, baby girl, let’s get you to bed.” I scoop her up, her head resting against my chest. Her body feels light and trusting as I carry her to the bedroom. Gently, I lay her down, pulling the covers up around her shoulders to ensure she’s warm and snug.
I grab one of those bonnets she likes to wear when she sleeps, even if they always come off. Tucking her curls inside of it, I smile at how cute she looks. I’m about to go downstairs to sleep on the couch when her arm reaches out and stops me. “Please stay.”
I hesitate before sliding into bed next to her. She buries her head in my chest, her warmth seeping into me. My arms wrap around her, pulling her closer. It’s been a long time since I felt this content and complete.
“Good night, Moonie,” I press a kiss to her forehead.