I frown. “Which part?”
“Any of it. All of it.”
I lift my shoulders. “I guess it’s the same reason all around. Look at you.” I gesture from his clothes to the impressive building behind him. “You’ve got your life figured out. You're going places, destined for greatness.” I motion toward myself. “And then there’s me. Until a week and a half ago, I was unemployed and directionless.”
Squaring my shoulders, I admit, “I didn’t think I was worthy of you.”
Gage shifts on his feet. “So, you’re here now because you think having a job somehow makes you more worthy of me?”
I slide my fingers under the Gage bracelet on my wrist, then clasp my hands in front of me. “No. I’m here now because I realized it’s not up to me to decide who should or shouldn’t be part of your life. It’syourchoice.”
His expression softens, and it gives me the courage I need. “And I’m here now because the reality of my life without you in it wrecked me. I don’t want a life like that.”
Gage takes a tiny step closer. “In each other’s lives how exactly?”
I meet his eyes. “I love you, Gage, and I want a real relationship with you.”
Gage winces and runs his hand through his hair. “I love you, too, Olivia. I have since we were kids, but I just … how do I know you won’t leave again? Hurt me again?”
I nod, blinking back tears. “That’s fair. But I promise you, I’m working with a therapist to deal with my stuff now. I’m all in.”
“I don’t … I don’t know.”
“Will you let me show you? Will you let me try to earn back your trust? Please.” My voice breaks on the last word, but still Gage hesitates. “I know I’ve already struck out twice, but I get one more pitch, don’t I? Don’t call me out yet.”
The cheesy sports metaphor makes Gage smile, like I’d hoped. He takes a deep breath. “Yeah, okay. It’s only fair to let you finish your at bat.”
I grin. “I’m down in the count, but this next swing will be a home run. I know it.”
Gage lifts his hand and strokes my cheek with his thumb. “I’ve seen hitters come back from worse.”
My smile widens, camouflaging the moisture still in my eyes. I’m so grateful for this third chance with Gage, so grateful that he’s willing to try to trust me again after the way I took him for granted and hurt him. I’m determined not to waste the opportunity or either of our time anymore.
I’m going to marry Gage someday, and I’m done pretending my end goal is anything else.
He tilts his head down and kisses me, slowly at first, as if he’s committing the experience to memory, reveling in the way our lips press together and move. I understand the impulse, because I’m drinking in this moment, too.
He leans in further, and there’s nothing slow about this kiss anymore. Gage lets himself get lost in me, and I’m right there with him.
The pressure of his lips, the way his nose brushes against mine, the placement of his hands on either side of my face, and most of all the love and warmth surging between us, is all pulled from my wildest dreams.
Dreams that I’m worthy of having come true.
Chapter thirty-six
Gage
“What’snext?”Oliviaasks,her hands warm on my shoulders and her smile lighting up my whole world.
Man, I’ve missed her.
After camp, when I realized Olivia was ghosting me again, I crashed pretty hard. After a while, that initial gut-punched feeling where my chest was cracked open and my limbs were filled with bricks faded, in time for me to start school.
My new classes gave me something to look forward to, but I still kept thinking,Maybe she’ll call. Maybe she’ll show up at my house. When I saw her leaning against the front of my Jeep in the parking lot, the scene was like I had pictured it a thousand times. Except better.
Her flowery shorts and white tank top looked bright and fresh against the backdrop of parked cars. Her face looked like a mirage in the desert. And I definitely noticed that she’s wearing the bracelet I made for her at camp.
I lift my eyebrows. “Dinner? I want to hear all about your new job.”
