“Sorry, uh, ignore me. You were saying you had dinner with your dad?”
“Yeah.” She pulls her lip between her teeth. “And I had coffee with Eric this morning after dawn patrol too.”
“Eric, your ex?” I ask, and she nods. “Hold on, did you say you did dawn patrol this morning? Alone?”
If she wanted my attention, she’s definitely got it. I stay fully focused on her as she walks me through the last day and a half. I don’t know how she’s still conscious at this point between the early wake-up and the emotional toll of her conversations with both Eric and her dad. I kind of wish I could hate her ex, but it sounds like that chance meeting was exactly what she needed.
Then there’s everything with her dad. I know it’s on him for leaving and not fighting for her, but what kind of mother keeps a child from their father out of spite?
“I don’t know, Wes. I don’t think she’s changed at all. I think she sees an opportunity here, with either me or my dad—or maybe both—to have her needs met. I hope I’m wrong, but it doesn’t feel that way, does it?” she asks, and I can see the sadness in her eyes at even having to voice such a question about her mother.
“I obviously don’t know her like you do, but no, sweetheart. If I were a betting man, I would put money on the fact that she’s only here because of your trust fund.”
Her head hangs forward.
“Why am I never enough for anyone just on my own? Not enough for my dad to stay, not enough for my mom to want me just for me, just never enough.” Her head is in her hands now and I pull her shaking body closer, wrapping my arms around her.
“They failed you. Their mistakes are not on you.” I hate to see this beautiful, strong woman so broken. “They’re just two people, Joss.”
“But they’re myparents. Of all the people in the world, they’re supposed to be my biggest supporters.”
Her arms come around me, her face in my neck, and I can feel the wet tracks of her tears against my skin.
“I know, Joss. But that doesn’t mean other people won’t love you like you deserve. Look at Jaz and how much she loves you. Joss… look at me.” Her eyes meet mine as she pulls back. They’re red and puffy but full of hope, waiting for the words. “Look at how muchIlove you.”
I bring a hand up to wipe a tear that’s making its way down her cheek. I let her sit in the moment and soak up my words. She’s still learning to believe them, and I’ll continue saying them until she does.
When she finally moves, it’s to fist her hands in my shirt, her gaze never leaving me as it searches out the truth on my face.
“I told you earlier that we’re everything. You might not have been their everything like you should have been, but believe me when I say that you are mymine, Joss.”
She sucks in a breath and her eyes flutter closed as she rests her forehead against my sternum. My heart is hammering, and I’m sure she can feel it. It’s still new for me to put my heart in her hands too, and as much as I’ll continue to do it, I have fears laced underneath that I have to fight.
She finally pulls back, her shoulders straightening, her head held high as she brings her eyes to mine. She smiles then. It’s small at first and then it grows before she finally speaks.
“You’reminetoo.”
My heart explodes and I’m finally able to take a full breath before I pull her into me, holding her tight. Her head tilts up just as mine tilts down, and we fall into the perfect kiss. It’s slow and languid, and the fire beneath it burns strong and steady, unlike the blaze of those that came before it. This one is full of unsaid words. It’s full of promise as we sink into it, deeper and deeper.
She’s reluctant to pull away, and I don’t let her go far.
“Wes, I…” She falters, and I give her the space to find her way to what she needs to say. “What happens now? I mean…”She glances away. “Your visa, your plans—I know you said you were staying, but you can—”
I bring my finger to her lips to stop whatever it is she thinks she needs to say. I can see the protest forming on them. She isn’t ready to trust that this is true yet, but she will. I’ll make sure of it.
“I love you, Joss. I’m staying. We’ll figure out the rest as we go.”
The lip under my finger starts to tremble and her eyes are now so shiny with tears that another one spills over. I lower my hand so that I can kiss her again. I know that words aren’t the way to show her that I’m in this for the long haul. It’ll be my actions, showing up for her again and again until she believes it down to her very bones.
When I finally pull back, there’s a smile on her lips. It’s one of wonder and excitement at what comes next. Her hand lifts to my face and, touching my cheek, she laughs lightly.
“You know I swooned over your dimples that very first day in the airport terminal, but you’ve made me fall for you in so many ways since. I just couldn’t let myself admit it.”
“I might have fallen for you the moment I saw you in your sexy flight attendant uniform, but IknowI fell for you the night I held you in my arms while you were sick. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere but where you were.”
“So.” She blows out a breath. “Now what?”
“Well, sweetheart, we figure out what you want to do about your parents first. We have all the time in the world for the rest, yeah?” I say, and she silently nods, pressing her forehead against my chest again.
