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“I’ve worked through a lot of shit since then, and I think you have too,” I said. She nodded, and I shifted my position so I could cradle her closer.
I could see Vincent’s silhouette through the glass doors in the living room, waiting for us to join him. But I didn’t want to rush this.
This was important.
“I forgive you, Jess,” I said. “When you first came around, honestly, I didn’t think I could. I didn’t think I wanted to. But you surprised me. You fit in with us better than I thought you would.” I grazed my fingers along her jaw and was almost left breathless by the look in her eyes. The emotion, the hope in them, tugged at my heart. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad that we get another chance at this, because this time, it’s going to be different.”
“Different,” she murmured, echoing me. “How?”
It was my turn to look away, a little surprised at myself. I tried to be careful with my words, but sometimes I told her things without a second thought.
“Well,” I said, “I have a hard time letting go of things I want.”
Our gazes met again. Every beat of my heart was like a hammer banging against my ribs. My brain was running a million miles an hour, and I couldn’t have plucked out a cohesive thought if I tried.
“I want you,” I said. “So if you still think this is all going to wrap up neat and tidy once your car is fixed, I’m sorry to break it to you, but you’re not getting rid of me that easily. Any of us.”
She’d drawn in her lips, as if she was trying to suppress a smile. “I’m moving out of town, you know.” I nodded. “And my mother is awful. She doesn’t like any of you.” I nodded again, and the next few sentences spilled rapidly out of her. “I’ve really fucked up before, and I’ll probably fuck up again. And I don’t always know the right things to say, and sometimes I blurt shit out. I’m insecure and petty. I can be selfish, rude, and sometimes I act angry because I get nervous —”
I put my finger over her lips. Her shoulders sagged, tension deflating from her.
“I know all those things, princess,” I said. “I expect nothing less. Iwantnothing less.” I moved my finger and kissed her, cupping the back of head. Her kisses were so sweet, and the way she clung to my shirt to pull me closer drove me wild.
When we parted, she sat there looking at me for a moment, tracing her fingers over my face as if she was memorizing it.
“I’m glad it’s different this time,” she said softly. “I want it to be different.”
She didn’t need to say anything more; that was enough confirmation for me. She felt the same. She wanted this to work, even if she didn’t know yet.
But to make sure she was thoroughly convinced, I kept kissing her until she was shaking, wide-eyed and breathless. Only then did I carry her back inside to join Vincent on the couch, snuggling her between us.
Right where she belonged.
6 - Lucas
Jess’s scream piercedthe quiet morning air, accompanied by the rumbling roar of the Bronco’s engine. She sped down the narrow dirt trail, the suspension creaking with every bump and dip, the massive tires kicking up plumes of dirt.
