Page 52 of One Pucking Chance

“So what? They can wait.”

“That’s the spirit.” The hotel phone rings, and Miranda picks it up. “Hi. Walter. Sure. Send him up.” She hangs up. “Speaking of the sex god. He’s on his way up.”

“What?” I shriek.

Amusement dances in her eyes. “I’m going to go run some errands, maybe hang out with Walter for a bit. Call me when you’re packed and ready.”

She heads toward the elevator and greets Jaden as he steps out of it.

Miranda steps in, and as the doors close, she makes a heart with her hands and shoots me what I’m sure is meant to be a reassuring smile, but I’m nothing but nerves as Jaden makes his way toward me.

“Hey.” He fixes me with his gaze, frowning. “Are you crying?”

I shake my head. “Just tired. What’s up? Aren’t you supposed to be at practice?”

He stands before me. “I told him I was puking, stomach bug. I had to see you before you left. I didn’t like the way things ended this morning.”

“I’m sorry. I know I kind of ran out of there, but I had a lot of packing to do.”

He takes my hand and moves us to the bed. We sit facing each other. “I…” He swallows. “I have never been in a relationship.”

I open my mouth to stop him, but he raises his hand. “Just hear me out. I’ve never been in one because I’ve neverwantedto be in one. I know you say everything between us is fake, but I don’t buy it. I may not have a lot of experience when it comes to relationships, but I’m not an idiot. You and I have something… something really great. I don’t know how to describe it, but I want to say that we work. We get along great, have fun, and just… fit. You know?”

I raise my hand. “Jaden, stop. All of that is true. We’ve had a remarkable time together. It’s nothing to do with you. I’m just not in the right space for a relationship, especially a long-distance one.”

He bites his bottom lip. “I just feel that if I let you walk away, I’m going to lose the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“We’ll still see each other. You promised Miranda and me tickets to your Cali games. And depending on how the awards show season pans out, I might need you then. As far as anyone knows, we’re still dating. We’ve definitely had enough face time in the tabloids this month to keep that story going for a while. We’ll stay friends.”

The longing in his eyes shoots a pang of sorrow straight to my heart. “I don’t want to be your friend, Anna, or at least not just your friend. I want to be more.”

I press my hand to my chest. “I’m sorry. I can’t give you more.”

He scoots closer to me, our legs touching. “Anna, against all odds, we were brought together. In a world where I should’ve never known you, we met. And we’re so good together. I can’t figure out what you’re so afraid of, but I will always protect you. You may be able to shield the truth of what we have from yourself, but don’t forget that I lived it, too, and I know it was real. We were given one fucking chance, and if you’re brave enough to take it, it could change your life. I’m just asking for a chance to prove how good we could be.”

I swallow hard. “You know I don’t gamble.”

“Just this once. Take a chance, and you might get lucky. I promise you, it’s worth a shot,” he pleads.

I close the space between us and circle my arms around his back, holding him tight. He reciprocates. His strong arms hug me back, and I sigh in relief. I can’t deny that being wrapped in Jaden’s embrace is one of my favorite places to be. He makes me feel cherished and so safe.

He holds me close to his chest and kisses the top of my head. “I know this was all supposed to be fake, and I pretended it was, but the truth is, it was always real to me. I was utterly enchanted with you from the very beginning. Somewhere along the line, I fell in love. I didn’t mean to, and I know I wasn’t supposed to, but that doesn’t change the fact that I did, and I think you did, too.”

My heart twists at his words. “Jaden…”

“I don’t need you to promise me forever right now. I just need you to give me a chance. Please, Anna.”

I lean back so I can look into his eyes. “I love you, Jaden. I do. I just need time.”

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You can have all the time in the world. I’m not going anywhere… besides California to visit you, of course.”

I grin. “I really picked the wrong guy to fake date, didn’t I?”

“If you wanted a guy who you wouldn’t fall for, then yeah, you did. However, from where I’m sitting, I think it’s going to turn out just fine.”

“I hope so.”

“We can figure it out, and it doesn’t have to be today. You can have tomorrow, too, and even till the end of the week if you need it.” His signature sexy smirk is back, and the weight of the day is gone. A few minutes in his presence and I already feel better.

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