Chapter 50
fifty
“The two of you are so freaking cute, it’s disgusting,” Chelsi declares, rolling her eyes and taking a large drink of her wine as we sit around the table in my condo.
Chelsi insisted that the three of us have dinner together and wanted to make sure she could interrogate Jake as part of her best friend responsibilities.
So far, she’s been on her best behavior and hasn’t said anything too outrageous.
“Is this how it’s going to be? Both of you spend all night eye fucking each other while we eat? ”
My mouth drops open, but I’m only slightly shocked by her directness. This is the type of commentary I’ve come to expect from her.
Jake laughs and flashes me a heart-stopping grin. “Pretty much. Consider yourself lucky I’m able to show some restraint and haven’t kept her tied up in the bedroom all day.”
“Jake!” I shout, hitting his arm with the back of my hand.
“What? You seemed to like it last night,” he teases, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
“Oh, I heard.” Chelsi shakes her head, finishing off her wine. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
Oh my God. The two of them are going to be the death of me.
“Can we not talk about our sex life at the dinner table? Can we talk about literally anything else?” I ask, politely smiling and hoping they’ll listen.
In Chelsi’s defense, she posed a fair question.
Jake and I were up until the wee hours of the morning having sex, and I was anything but quiet.
The more we’re together, the louder I become.
I just never thought Chelsi would be able to hear us, since her bedroom is at the complete opposite end of the condo.
Gonna chalk this up to another reason Jake and I living in a rental for the next couple of months is a good idea.
“Fine,” Chelsi groans, rolling her eyes at me. “New topic: Jake, what are your intentions with Kate?” She grins widely, proud of herself for abiding by my request while also somehow making me even more uncomfortable.
“Thanks for the softball question, Chelsi. Totally going easy on me,” he jokes, turning his head and gazing into my eyes with a soft smile for a few seconds before clearing his throat.
“My relationship with Kate is very new, and I’m sure she’s shared with you that I’m not really known for long-term relationships.
Never had one.” He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his and squeezing.
“Not until Kate. I’m hoping she’s the first and last serious relationship I have. ”
Chelsi stares in Jake’s direction, assessing the authenticity of his comment.
She’s always skeptical of men who have struggled with commitment in the past suddenly wanting to be in a committed relationship.
In her experience, the only way this type of change truly works is when it’s gradual; otherwise, the promises of long-term commitment end up being merely promises made and quickly broken.
“How do you know Kate is the right person for you?”
Definitely spoke too soon about Chelsi being on her best behavior tonight. We’ve moved into full-interrogation mode. She missed her calling in the FBI or CIA, given the way she can extract information from people. Although I’m tempted to try to stop her, it will only delay the inevitable.
“Have you met Kate? What’s not to love?” Jake says, switching his focus to Chelsi.
“Everything about Kate is incredible, even her quirks. And yes, I’m well aware of her love for spreadsheets.
” He gives me another sweet smile, rubbing circles on the top of my hand with his thumb.
“Kate makes me want to be a better version of myself. The person I want to spend all my time with. Tell all my good and bad news to. She’s been that person to me since we became best friends as children.
And now…we’re more.” He exhales deeply, locking eyes with me before he says, “Kate’s my best friend.
And hopefully, she’ll become my wife and the mother of my children. Because she’s endgame for me.”
Chelsi’s mouth parts slightly, her eyebrows raise, and she doesn’t say a single word. Has Jake stunned Chelsi into silence? This never happens. She has a witty response for everything.
“What else do you want to know, Chelsi?” Jake asks, knowing that his response was not what she was expecting. “Happy to answer any questions you have about the life I want to build with Kate.” Jake presses a kiss to my hand.
“Um…okay,” Chelsi stutters, glancing around the room, as if it’ll help her figure out her next question.
Is it possible that Jake’s directness and honesty broke Chelsi?
She’s used to prying information out of people in these types of situations.
Jake was the complete opposite. Perhaps she’ll lighten up.
“How about this one: Why did you break Kate’s heart years ago and cut her out of your life?
How can I be sure you won’t do that again? ”
Nope. Definitely not going to go easy on him.
Jake sighs, dropping my hand and running his fingers through his hair.
“Fair question. Expected you’d ask that at some point tonight.
I’d do the same if I were in your shoes.
” He closes his eyes, inhaling and exhaling before saying, “The simplest answer is I was a stupid twenty-something guy who made a bunch of shitty decisions and wasn’t man enough to take accountability for them.
Too fucking scared to admit that I’d screwed up until it became too late.
Hurting Kate…cutting her out of my life and breaking her heart is my biggest regret. ”
“I get it. Everyone makes dumb decisions when they’re young. Well…everyone but Kate. She’s the most straitlaced person I know,” Chelsi replies. “Does this mean you’ll never let your career become a bigger priority than her?”
Shit. She’s not playing around. Asking the hard-hitting questions, including the one I’ve been too afraid to ask.
Would he choose his career over me again?
My breath stills as I clench my fists tightly under the table.
Every muscle in me becomes tense, unwilling to relax until I hear what he has to say. Praying it’s the answer I want.
Jake sighs. “My career is…complicated. I don’t control my own schedule.
Constantly told what to do and where to be.
” He drags a hand down his face and takes a long gulp of wine.
“The only reason I’ve been able to stay in one place for the past few months was that I played the dead mother card.
Reminding everyone how I’ve always done what they’ve asked and worked my ass off.
Taking time off for a few months was the first real request I’ve made in fifteen years.
” He turns to look at me, a smile growing across his face as his eyes soften and he takes my head.
“Moving forward, Kate will always come first. I would never cut her out of my life or intentionally choose my career over our relationship. I have no plans on walking away from her. But that doesn’t mean I won’t occasionally disappoint her.
It will happen. I’m only human. And there will be times when one or both of us have to prioritize work for periods of time, but I’ll never do so at the cost of our relationship.
I’d rather give up everything I’ve worked for than lose Kate again. ”
“That’ll do,” Chelsi says with a Cheshire Cat grin, lifting her wine glass. “For what it’s worth, you have my approval. Just remember…if you hurt her, I’m going to kick your ass.”
“Noted,” he says with a laugh, draping his arm around my chair. “I’d never want to do anything to make Kate’s second-best friend angry with me.” Jake mimics Chelsi’s Cheshire Cat grin back at her.
Chelsi chuckles. “Oh, sweet Jake. You’re definitely number two—”
“How about we all agree that you’re both my best friends and there is no ranking system?” For the love… Please let them agree to this because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life watching the two of them poke at each other.
“Fine,” Chelsi groans. “But I’m still going to kick his ass if he hurts you.” She points at Jake to make sure he knows.
“You won’t have to worry about that, Chelsi.
The only way I’m not in Kate’s life is if she chooses to leave me for some reason, and I plan to never give her one.
” Jake leans over and presses a soft kiss to my temple, melting my heart.
The impact this man has on me cannot be understated.
He’s infiltrated every part of me. Changed the very fabric of my soul.