Chapter 34
CHAPTER 34
M allory hadn’t expected Dylan to be here tonight, and his presence was throwing her off.
Later they could be friends and meet with ease. This was still too soon. He had to realize that. Her skin prickled with discomfort and she looked through the glass at the cocktail party inside. She needed to make an excuse and leave.
“Jenny told me about you losing your parents.”
References to her loss always knocked away her composure. Of all the things she expected him to say, that wasn’t it. She looked at her hands and struggled for a way to move past this.
“I was the worst kind of selfish when we were together. Not to even know that much about you.”
“Don’t say that.” It was a heavy topic to lay on a temporary relationship. Mallory lifted her gaze to the stars. “I honor their memory by focusing on being happy.” She pressed her lips together. “Ten years on and it’s still a challenge to talk about them. That wasn’t your fault.”
A group exited the building, chattering loudly, staring at Dylan. They had that energy that told Mallory they’d be heading this way.
“Come somewhere with me.” Dylan sounded serious, and his words were only half a question.
She should go now, but not with him. “That’s not a good idea.” Mallory smiled gently. She had to go with the truth and avoid the temptation to be with him and extend the inevitable. “One day, we’ll be these amazing old friends, but I need time to get there.”
“I don’t want you to get there.”
Her heart skipped in a mixed rhythm of hope, denial, and reality. He didn’t know what his wavering was doing to her. She had to shut him down.
The group drew closer.
“Please?” Dylan lowered his voice. “Come with me.”
No.
Absolutely not.
“Please, Mallory?” Dylan repeated.
Everything in her softened. Oh no, she was going with him. She moved to his side.
Dylan led her through the courtyard to an exit where he’d parked. He drove them to the Han River and found an empty spot. He left the car running for the heater and played the music low.
“I love this view.” Mallory stared out at the water. How many couples had laughed, loved, and fallen apart here? Centuries worth.
Dylan withdrew a small, wrapped gift from the console. He placed the present in her lap.
Mallory had no clue what he was thinking. Housewarming present? Going away gift? “What’s this?”
“When you make a mistake, you should always come bearing a gift.”
Mallory closed her eyes. “Dylan.” She shook her head. “You didn’t make a mistake. You were honest about your situation from the beginning.”
“Of course. But I didn’t tell you when that changed for me. That’s not honest. It’s weak.”
She opened and closed her mouth. Her heart raced and she didn’t know what to hope for.
“I didn’t know love could happen like that. That you just looked at someone and knew in an instant that they were the one.” Dylan clenched his hands together. “That happened as I looked at you typing with your cinnamon candle in my apartment. I straight-up knew . But I didn’t tell you. Instead, I ran. Now I’m telling you where my head’s at. I’m being honest. Give me a chance. Go out with me.”
His using the word “love” had her mind spinning. She was the writer, but he’d come up with the exact words that fit her feelings. Love wasn’t enough, though. Giving in and being dropped again wasn’t an emotional ride she could handle. If she didn’t care so deeply, she could try. With him, she cared. She’d fallen first, and she’d fallen the hardest. “Your reasons for not being in a relationship still apply. I understood then, and I understand now.”
“Those are details. We’ll work them out.”
“Dylan…” Mallory searched for a way to explain her weakness. She couldn’t take meaningful loss. She’d had too much. She didn’t want to feel that ripping pain again.
“Be honest with me. Tell me the stuff that’s in your head. The stuff you hold back. Tell me you’ll give me a chance.”
“I can’t go through a breakup with you again.” The words hurt her throat. “I felt more than I knew, more than I’d admit. We need to leave it there.”
“We won’t break up.”
Mallory stared at him, uncertain, not wanting to shatter. At the same time, she couldn’t deny that hope was filling her, a hope so greedy and needy and blind that it was shutting down her defenses.
Dylan leaned forward and kissed her, lightly, sweetly. “Say you’ll give me a chance.”
Memories of Dylan flooded her. All of them delightful, supportive, euphoric. He had traits she never knew she could find in a partner. Would she? Could she? Could she live without trying?
The lesson of her life, to reach for happiness, to risk it, fought with her fears. She had to choose. Sometimes three little letters conveyed every feeling. “Yes.” She tilted her head up and kissed him.
Dylan cupped her face and kissed her back, softly, with a clear promise. He dropped his forehead to hers. “Open your present.”
A million times lighter, but also fragile, Mallory shook the box gently. “What did you get me? A dragon?”
“Maybe.”
She eased open the wrapping. Inside the box lay a rose-gold necklace with a charm. The charm was the earth, flat and round.
At the top, where the earth hooked onto the chain, a tiny dragon clung to the chain. There be dragons . Adorable. The dragon would usually have her complete attention. Instead, she was drawn to the images etched into the earth.
An entwined daisy and musical note lay atop the continents. Symbols of each of them. Mallory caught her breath. “Dylan. This is lovely.”
“I thought about highlighting Seoul or Texas, or where we’d go next.” He took her hand. “But I don’t want to limit us. I want you with me wherever I go.”
Mallory handed him the necklace and lifted her hair so that he could hook the chain.
Dylan connected the ends. “I know I’m not easy. My career brings unique difficulties; being with me will be a challenge on multiple fronts.” He centered the chain on her square neckline and withdrew his hands. “I’m selfish enough to want us together anyway. I’m impatient enough to want us together now, without waiting. I’m greedy enough to ask you for everything.” He eased back. “No more perpendicular. No walking away. We’ll work it out, you and me. We’ll figure life out together.”
He said everything she needed to hear with love and sincerity, dissolving her doubts.
Dylan placed his hands over hers. “My band has a saying. Until the last note plays. To us, it means forever . Will you grab that future with me? Will you love me and be with me until the last note plays?”
The conviction in his voice melted her confusion and caution. He was offering her what she dreamed of, wanted, and needed. Heart full, Mallory reached for him. “Yes. Until the last note plays.”
THE END.