AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I had an idea I wanted to run by you. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how you’re going to take what I have to say, so promise me you’ll listen until I’m finished and with an open mind.”
“Okay.”
I take a deep breath and begin my pitch. “I’ve had the time of my life in the last several weeks, and it’s all because of you. Every moment I spend with you is greater than the last, and I look forward to the end of my workday because there’s a chance I get to see you. Jaime, I know we’ve only been seeing each other for a little more than a month, but it feels like a lot longer, doesn’t it?” I ask.
She seems unable to say words, but I’m awarded with a quick nod.
Getting up, I head over and grab the white bag from the glass shop we visited yesterday. Retrieving the goods inside, I slide back down into my chair and hand her the bag.
“I saw you yesterday admiring that blue bowl. Your face lit up, eyes sparkling like emeralds. I knew you had to have it. In fact, if you wouldn’t have purchased it, I was going to get it for you. Open it,” I say, nodding towards the bag in her hands.
Jaime takes her time, her hands slightly trembling as she carefully unwraps the first of two wrapped items. When she finally reveals what’s inside, her mouth drops open and her eyes shine with unshed tears.
“I knew you had to have that bowl and I thought those would look great with it.”
Cradled gingerly within her left hand is one of the blue glass candlesticks with edged seashells around the base. “It matches my bowl. It’s gorgeous,” she says, those tear filled eyes focused solely on me.
“I thought they’d be perfect on your table.” Jaime swallows audibly. “I know you don’t have a table right now, since you’re temporarily living with your dad. And that got me thinking. I have a table here. I’d love to come home every night from work and see that bowl and those candlesticks on this table…because you’re here. With me. Every night.”
Jaime’s eyes widen and her mouth hinges open. “Are you…saying…”
“I want you to move in with me.”
She gasps loudly and looks away. I can practically see the wheels in her head spinning a hundred miles per hour.
“But we haven’t known each other very long,” she whispers, still not looking up at me.
“I understand that, but it doesn’t bother me. I knew the moment I met you, the moment I first laid eyes on you, that I wanted you. I felt it in my heart that we would have something amazing, and you know I was right.”
Jaime starts to speak, but I place my finger across her lips. “You said I could finish before you said anything.” I take another deep breath. “Jaime, I love you. I knew weeks ago that I was in love with you; hell, I practically fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you. I was just too afraid to say the words then for fear that I’d scare you off or something. I know this is scary, sweetheart. I see it in your eyes that you’re ready to run screaming from this room. Well, I’m not going to let you. We’re good together, I know you feel it too. I don’t want an answer right now. I want you to think about it, really consider it.
“Don’t be scared, baby. I won’t ever hurt you the way Gavin did. I only want to love you and spend as much time with you as I possibly can. And when you’re ready, I want to live with you. I want to wake up beside you every morning, and fall asleep with my arms around you every night. That’s what I want, and I’m hoping you want that too.”
I pull back, her eyes are wide with something that resembles fear. She’s quiet for several moments, the only sound her shallow inhales.
“I need to go,” she whispers, looking at me for the first time since I dropped my bomb in her lap.
I jump to my feet moments after she does. She starts to move towards the front door, retrieving her bag that I deposited on the floor earlier.
“Jaime, I know you have some things to process. Make a checklist,” I add with a smile. But her eyes don’t display a hint of humor. “Take your time and think about it. But know this: I’m not going anywhere. If you’re not ready, that’s fine. I still want to date you, get to know you, love you. But if you do want to move in with me, I promise to make you happy and smile and laugh, and maybe even scream my name at the top of your lungs every night.” That got a crack of a smile.
“You’re welcome to stay here tonight, but something tells me you need some time alone to think. So know that I’ll be here, waiting for you, whenever you’re ready.”
With that, I place a hard kiss on her lips. It’s a proclamation. The kiss says she’s mine and I’m not letting go. I don’t let the kiss deepen the way my body craves. Instead, I grab the bag from her hand and follow her to her car. She doesn’t speak as she slides into her warm car, shaky hands trying to start the engine.
When the car finally starts, I crouch down beside her open door. “I love you. I’ll talk to you soon,” I reiterate. Leaning forward, I give her another kiss, this time in the middle of her forehead.
Jaime still doesn’t say anything, and I try not to let it get to me. I know she’s trying to process what I’ve said. Instead of trying to force her to talk to me, I stand up, leaning down with one arm on the roof of the car, the other on the door. “I love you,” I repeat with conviction and meaning.
She glances up and gives me the slightest smile. Her eyes soften, my words seeming to push away the worry and fear that was so dominant only moments ago.
Without waiting to hear if she returns my sentiment, I shut her car door. I tap on the roof twice before stepping back, allowing her to pull away. She sits there for several tense moments, but eventually puts her car in drive and heads down the road.
I ignore the pang of dread that threatens to overtake me. I refuse to believe that this is it, that she’ll run away from the happiness I’m offering. Instead, I focus on that tiny smile and the love in her eyes. She loves me, I know it. She believes we can have a future together, I see it. I just need to step back until she allows herself to believe it.
This might be my greatest challenge, yet, but one I’m committed to.
I will make her see how fucking amazing we are together.
There’s no other option.
