Page 96 of Fumbled Beginning

My bottom lip quivered, and those stupid traitorous tears wouldn’t stop falling.

His smile was soft with understanding as he continued. “I was so taken by you that it spooked me. I kept my distance for my own sanity, but the more I got to know you, the more I liked being around you.”

“I don’t know why you’d like me. I was kind of a brat to you.” I laughed in between sobs.

His thumb caressed my jaw. “It started out as playful banter, and me trying to prove to myself that I could flirt and have fun but not touch. Until one night, we decided to take things further. One taste and one touch, and there was no going back for me. I’ve loved you for a while now, but I was scared to admit it. It felt like I was leaving her behind, and I wrestled with those emotions more than I cared to admit. But in order for me to be free to love you, I had to let her go.” He drew in a breath and let it out slowly.

“I never asked you to leave her behind.”

“I know.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “But I thought you would leave me when you found out the truth. Instead, you stayed, and I knew that you were it for me. If I learned anything during our time apart, it’s that if I can’t have you, I don’t want anyone else. A life with you is the only one I want. So, I’m here begging you for another chance and even though I don’t deserve one, if you give me one, I will never give up on you again. I will never put anyone above you again.”

“JP.” I hiccupped through a sob.

He held his hand, stopping me from talking. “I’m almost done.”

He reached over and handed me a paper napkin so I could wipe my eyes.

“Everything in life has a beginning and an end. I want you to be my ending. Until then, you are my present and my future and all I need. I promise never to doubt you again. I swear on my life that you will always come first.”

Before he could finish, I dropped my face on his chest as my tears soaked through his shirt. “Rylee,” he kissed the top of my head, “I’ve made many mistakes in my life, but falling in love with you was never one of them. Please give me one more chance.”

“You don’t have to beg and I don’t want a second chance. I want to start over.”

“So, you forgive me?”

I smiled through the tears and pulled on his neck. “I’m not strong enough to stay away from you, and after that speech, I don’t want to. I believe in you more than you believe in yourself. More importantly, I believe in us and as long as I believe, I know that somehow, we will find our way.”

Our mouths met in a kiss, and everything in the world felt right. The kiss was soft and slow, and when our lips parted, I knew without a doubt that no matter where life took us, I was his, and he was mine forever.

“Come home with me?” he asked in between kisses.

“I can’t.”

His shoulders slumped forward.

I lifted his head to stare into his eyes. “Tilly is out of town, so I don’t have anyone to take care of Oakley.”

His body perked up at that. “Can I come to your place?”

My pulse sped up at the thought of being alone with him after all this time apart. “I would like that.”

I grabbed my purse off the bar and slung it onto my shoulder. I was ready to get out of there.

“Good. We can pack up your things.”

“You mean an overnight bag?”

“No, Rylee.” He looked down and paused for a minute before lifting his head. “I want you to move in with me.”

My eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

He reached for my hand and entwined our fingers. “I know you think I’m moving too fast here, but it makes sense.”

I just stared at him, blinking. “I’m a little caught off guard, considering less than thirty minutes ago we were still broken up.”

“Before you turn me down, listen to me. I love you. You love me. You love my house and I think we could be very happy there. Honestly, the thought of having you there permanently feels right. Oakley would have more space to run around.”

“You really want to live together?” My smile was so big I could barely speak.

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