Chapter 6 Jayde
SIX
JAYDE
I need a drink. Preferably, a strong one. With vodka or tequila or something that will make the nerves pinging around my head quiet so I can enjoy this breathtaking view and these beautiful flowers.
Reese Keller is falling in love with me.
I mean, he’s hinted at it. But the way he looked at me during Emily and Mick’s wedding ceremony…it was intense. It was deep and real, and it has shaken me to my core. Because his eyes swam with promise, his expression was soft, tender, and filled with love for me.
I work a swallow, my palms clammy.
The reception is even more beautiful than the ceremony, if that’s possible. Circular tables are spread beneath a canopy of woven branches and hanging flowers. Tea lights are strewn throughout, creating a soft glow, like we’re dancing below a swarm of fireflies.
It’s romantic and ethereal, like a wedding you’d see in a movie.
Holy shit, I’m living in a freaking movie.
Girls like me don’t end up with guys like Reese.
I’m not the woman who partners with the Golden Boy.
I’m the girl who ends up with a fighter, a rough and tumble kinda guy who is tatted up and growly.
Who enters a room and makes grandmothers clutch their purses.
I sink into the chair at table number six. Reese is taking photos with his friends, all the guys from his college group tossing up hand signals and chanting fight songs from their alma mater.
He’s that kind of guy and I’m…panicking. I breathe in through my nose and try to calm my racing heart.
“Hi!” a friendly voice says, placing a purse down at the seat across from mine.
“Hi,” I say, trying to look friendly.
“I’m Keisha. I just got in.” She wrinkles her nose. “My flight was delayed but I still made it in time to see Mick kiss Emily.”
I offer a smile, standing to extend a hand. Keisha shakes it. “I’m Jayde. I came with Reese.”
Keisha freezes, her mouth dropping open. “Oh my God! You’re real!” She squeaks. She drops my hand and rounds the table, pulling me into a hug.
My body locks down. This is a group of huggers. And I’m not.
“It’s so good to finally meet you.” Keisha pulls away, smiling at me.
“Where’s Reese—oh, he’s at the bar.” She points to the bar where Reese and his friends are taking a shot.
Keisha shakes her head, her eyes darting back to mine.
“He’s never looked happier. That boy is in love.
” She declares it easily, with so much confidence that I know it’s true.
Reese Keller loves me.
My heart trips over itself and I feel dizzy, with black spots appearing in my peripheral vision.
I clear my throat, force a smile, and sit back down before I fall. “You went to the University of Denver, too?”
She nods. “Yeah. But I haven’t made it to many group things the past few years. Work keeps me busy.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m a surgeon. In New York now. But there’s no way I could miss Emily and Mick’s wedding. Those two were meant to be from the moment they met, orientation freshman year.”
I force a smile and nod. “It’s good you could come.”
“Thanks! Hey, I’m going to grab a drink. You want one?”
I shake my head, knowing my request for a fifth of vodka would be met with a strange look. “I’m going to head to the bathroom.”
“Okay. I’m so glad to meet you, Jayde. Keller’s a good guy and deserves to be happy. It’s obvious you make him so.” She moves toward the bar, and I fight the urge to dry heave at the table.
I gotta get out of here. I need to regroup, clear my mind, breathe.
Standing on shaky legs, I move toward the bathroom. The floral perfume wraps around me, too sweet. The tea light flickers, too romantic.
Reese looks happy. Deliriously happy. In love. With me.
I close the bathroom door and lean against it, my breathing too fast, too heavy. My fingers tremble and when I lift my hand to my mouth, I catch my reflection in the mirror.
I look like I’m about to have a nervous breakdown. Wild eyes and a panicked expression. All because a good man, a hardworking, decent, committed man has feelings for me.
God, what is wrong with me?
Isn’t this what I always wanted? Isn’t Reese the kind of man I wished for? The man I hoped I would meet, the one who would want me back? Even though I’m an emotionally damaged woman with trust issues.
But how can I trust that? How can I lean into it? Because if I do, when Reese leaves, I’ll be left with nothing. Too much heartbreak to stitch my heart back together, too much damage to repair.
“Jayde,” his voice grows closer.
I look up just as the bathroom door swings open and Reese enters. His eyes are shadowed in concern. Automatically, he flips the lock on the door and reaches for me, his hands holding mine.
Safe. Stable. Secure.
“This is the woman’s bathroom,” I point out, flustered.
He smirks. “Tell me if you need a minute, Jayde. Tell me and I’ll give you space. But if you need me…” He pauses and a worried look flashes across his face. “If you need me, Jayde, tell me that too.”
I nearly crumple from the understanding in his expression. He gets me. How the hell does he understand that I’m panicking? That I’m spiraling?
“I’m a runner,” I tell him.
“A nature enthusiast now?” he teases.
I snort. “Not in the exercise sense. I’m a runner. When things are too much, too hard, I run.”
“No, you don’t.” He shakes his head, his voice so sure, I pull back in surprise. “You don’t run when things are hard, Jayde. I’ve only ever seen you step up to challenges and face them head-on.”
“At work, yes,” I agree. “But not in my personal life. I don’t know how to do this. Relationships,” I hiss, gesturing between us.
“Communicating is a big part of one. And you’re doing great. I scared you off, didn’t I?”
I frown, rolling my lips together. “Golden boys don’t fall for girls like me.”
“I can’t think of a better woman for me than you,” he counters. “Jayde, my parents are complete opposites. My dad is type-A, organized, efficient. He color-codes his closet and has a Cricut to make labels.”
I snort out a laugh.
“My mom would lose her head if it wasn’t attached to her body. She’s always rushing, forgets where she left her keys. One time, we found her passport in the freezer.”
I shake my head.
“And I don’t know two people more in love.
I’ve never heard two people laugh harder or have more interesting debates.
They watch movies on Sunday nights, even though they never agree on which one to watch.
Mom tries to be vegan and Dad smokes meat on Fridays.
They have almost nothing in common but everything that matters.
And I think we could have that, Jayde. I love that you change your hair color and hate hugs.
I love that you rock combat boots when sneakers would be more comfortable.
I know you weren’t sure about your dress because it’s lavender—”
“You’re the only guy I know who would say lavender instead of purple.”
He grins. “You skip breakfast in favor of coffee unless it’s a cinnamon doughnut or cupcake from Primrose Sweets.”
I crack a smile.
“Jayde DuPree, I know myself to know that you’re it for me. It wasn’t a line or a moment, it was the truth.”
“You really believe that? You really think we have a chance?” I whisper. “Because if you let me fall for you and then leave—”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. I know if we both work hard at it, communicate and share and are honest, we’ve got more than a shot, Jayde. We can have everything.”
“Everything.” I raise skeptical eyebrows. “No one has everything.”
Why is he still standing here? Why hasn’t he bolted yet?
I lean over the sink, bracing my arms on the vanity. Reese shifts closer, shadowing me, his voice low and soothing, his hand on my back centering. Reassuring.
“You’re my everything, Jayde. All I want is you. I know I came on strong. I tried to pack an entire dating phase into a weekend.” He bites the corner of his mouth. “Maybe it was ambitious. Or naive. Or stupid. But I wanted to show you, prove to you, that I want this with you. Everything.”
I draw in a breath. My heart is hammering so loudly, I’m sure he can hear it.
“I’m freaking out,” I admit, turning to look at him.
Reese tilts his head, his eyes searching mine. His expression is earnest and so damn lovable. Flashing, curious eyes and tender understanding. “I know, baby.” His hand rubs soothing circles along my spine. “Let’s talk about it, yeah?”
I want to laugh because his solution is so…logical. I’m used to my ex-boyfriend, a dramatic fight followed by tears and several days of not speaking.
But Reese is mature. He knows what he wants and is confident in his choices. It’s sexy as hell and still, I feel like my dress is too tight and I can’t draw a full inhale.
“Talk to me, Jayde. Tell me, please, has this weekend done more harm than good? Or have I convinced you at all? Will you take a chance on me?”
I freeze.
Will you take a chance on me?
Doesn’t he realize it’s the opposite? Doesn’t he know that he’s gambling, risking it all, on me? I’m not the stable and steady type. I’m not the rock in the relationship. I’m the runner.
Reese holds my eyes, certain and sure of his decision, of his choice.
And he chose me.
The realization rocks through me like a storm, a wave pulling me under.