Page 88 of Home in Nevada

“Okay, okay,” I say, pulling back to look into his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

His gaze drops to the floor, and I can tell he’s still holding onto whatever’s bothering him.

“Is it your hair?” I ask, running my fingers through the damp strands. “Because I really fucking love your hair. You should leave it like this forever.”

Jamie laughs softly, but he shakes his head. “No...”

“Your eyes, then?” I say, tilting his chin up gently. “Because those are definitely perfect.”

He tries to keep a straight face but ends up laughing anyway, swatting my hand away.

“Stop,” he mutters, but the tension in his shoulders eases a little.

I kiss him again, cupping his face in my hands. When I pull back, I grin. “Your body is bangin’, by the way.”

Jamie finally laughs, rolling his eyes. “Not next to yours.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I was thinking the same thing about myself on our first date.”

Jamie’s smile wavers. “Really? Is that why you were so nervous?”

“Yeah,” I admit, brushing my thumb over his cheek. “Among other things...”

Jamie leans into my touch, his smile softening.

“Don’t ever say something like that about yourself again,” I tell him firmly.

He looks up at me, his expression warm but teasing. “Jeff, I’m allowed to feel that way.”

“Yeah, but… it’s not true, I don't want to hear it” I argue, pulling him closer. “You’re gorgeous, inside and out, and if you ever tell yourself otherwise, we’re gonna have a problem.”

Jamie laughs, his arms tightening around me. “Okay, okay.”

“Good,” I say, resting my forehead against his, my voice softer now. “I want you to see yourself the way I see you.”

Jamie’s arms stay wrapped around me, and for a moment, neither of us says anything. The room is quiet except for the faint hum of the air outside and the steady rhythm of his breathing against mine.

“Jeff,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. “I love you. You’re such a sap.”

I snort, pulling back just enough to look him in the eye, a grin tugging at my lips. “Yeah, well, I love you too and… you bring it out of me, so… deal with it.”

Jamie shakes his head, but he’s smiling—really smiling now—and it feels like the sun breaking through the clouds.

“Come on,” I say, grabbing his hand and lacing our fingers together. “Let’s go watch something stupid and eat way too much popcorn. No more thinking. Deal?”

“Deal,” Jamie replies, his thumb brushing against mine.

As we head toward the couch, his laughter fills the space around us, and for the first time all day, it feels like everything is exactly where it’s supposed to be. Him, me, and this moment. Perfect.

Chapter 21

The one where Jeff overshares and Lucy spills everything.

It’sbeenoveraweek since Jamie went back home to Nevada. The time we spent together feels like a blur—beach days, late nights, and moments I can’t stop replaying in my head. I’ve tried to distract myself, keep busy, but everything just circles back to him. Now he’s miles away again, back in Middle-of-Nowhere Nevada, and I’m stuck here in LA. The space between us feels heavier this time, like every passing day stretches it further. It’s only been nine days, but I’ve already started counting, like keeping track of the time will somehow make it easier. It doesn’t.

“Okay, finish the sentence. Jamie has a beautiful…” Lucy says, her voice slow and syrupy, like she’s fighting to stay upright. Her glassy eyes land on me, daring me to answer.

“…butthole,” I mumble, barely able to stifle a laugh that bursts out before I can stop it. It’s ridiculous and uncontrollable, and yep—I’m utterly wasted.

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