Page 84 of Can't Kiss the Chef

“I think I am. I don’t know if it’s because I really want to or if I’m more interested in how this rekindling happened. I just know that this means a lot to my mom.”

It surprises me when Lola arches her back up and places a gentle kiss on my lips.

“I’m proud of you. Go in there with an open mind. I trust your mom knows what she is doing.”

I nod, but there is something much more important I want to talk about.

“Then there was this message about an update to one of my lists,” I say trying not to laugh at the way her face lights up.

I lift her and turn her so she faces me, her legs on either side of mine. I run my finger over the top of her hand.

“I meant every word I said last night. I love you, Lola.”

I tuck some wild strands of her hair back behind her ear before I continue.

“The night you brought Dalton to my house, I had a conversation with your brother, and he told me I had to earn your trust back. Before I ask you the question I want to desperately ask you, I need to know that you trust me. I’ll always choose you and support you no matter what decisions you make, as long as you allow me to cheer you on at every win and be the shoulder you cry on after life’s tough losses.”

“You talked to Oliver about us?”

My cheeks turn pink as I shrug nonchalantly.

“I do trust you,” two green eyes land on mine.

“This weekend showed me that you will be there with me through the difficult times. That’s what I want in a partner, not someone who expects me to be perfect and hold my emotions at bay, but someone who will guide me through the tough times without judgment.”

Without thinking, I place a hand on each side of her face and pull her into a deep kiss. It’s a passionate promise to always support and love each other.

“Lola Adams, are you finally ready to make this thing official?”

Being the sarcastic asshole she is, she says with her hand clutched over her heart, “Byron, this is so unexpected,” thenshe grows serious. “But I want nothing more than for the whole world to know I am your girlfriend.”

I roll us over so I am just hovering over her.

“We have thirty minutes before I have to go see my parents.”

“How do you think we should spend that time Mr. Andrews?”

32

Lola

We were lucky that Jalen and Ivy hadn’t gotten out of bed when Byron snuck out of the guest room to grab his stuff from the entryway closet. Knowing we aren’t going to get lucky a second time, I made sure all traces of my bedhead and last night’s post-party activities were erased from my physical appearance.

We decided we wanted to drop the bomb together. Byron’s dressed in jeans, a New York Rangers crewneck and of course a Yankees cap. It’s front facing for now.

I wanted to dress comfy because who the hell wants to sit in a car for five hours in jeans. That’s why I’m sporting leggings and a Philadelphia Eagles hoodie–I stole from my brother–and fuzzy socks that look like polar bears. I threw them on at the lastsecond because I have no clue how this conversation is going to go and they may just become my security blanket.

“You ready Pips?” He holds out his hand and without a second thought I grab it, holding on to it like it’s a life perseverer in choppy water.

A sense of relief washes over me at the realization that we are actually going out in public–okay it’s just our best friends’ apartment–and not hiding our relationship. No matter what happens I’ll have Byron.

I sneak look at our hands and produce a giggle I don’t recognize.

Byron takes the lead, opening the door. A low squeak on one of the door hinges triggers slow claps. With each step the claps get louder and louder until they fill the apartment.

Byron runs this thumb over the top of my hand. I can feel my cheeks start to heat. My first instinct is to let go of Byron’s hand in self preservation. Byron looks down at me, his blue eyes unsure of what I’m going to do. I squeeze his hand and flash him a reassuring smile.

It’s shocking that just two people could have produced that round of applause. Jalen and Ivy are sitting drinking their morning coffee. Ivy’s mug stalls at her lips when she notices we are holding hands. They smile first then it turns into roaring cheers.

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