Page 87 of Chess Not Checkers
I smile at him, then look at Bash again. “Thank you.”
“I’m always going to be here for you,” he tells me, then looks at Shepherd. “You too.”
Shepherd nods, gratitude written all over his expression.
Bash claps his hands together. “Now, if there are no other huge emotional speeches I need to listen to, I’m going to head home. Sundays are for pancakes, and I’m missing out.”
I giggle. “Give everyone my love.”
Shepherd walks over and takes my hand.
“I will. And I expect you both at the next family dinner. Anticipate a full interrogation,” Bash says with a pointed look.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Shepherd replies with an easy smile.
Bash chuckles. “You only say that because you don’t know what you’re in for.” He grabs a ball cap off his desk and puts it on, then picks up his keys and phone and drops them into the pockets of his athletic joggers.
“I’ll make sure he’s prepared,” I tell Bash on our way out of his office.
I swing my and Shepherd’s interlocked hands as we follow Bash down the photo-lined corridor. We step outside into the crisp autumn air, a breeze kicking up orange and brown leaves.
“I’ll see you both soon, if the family group chat is any indication.” Bash nods to us before setting off toward the parking lot behind the athletics building.
“You have a family group chat?” Shepherd asks.
“Yes, it’s chaotic on a normal day, but after news like this, I had to mute it because my phone was buzzing so much it fell off my vanity table,” I say with a laugh. “I don’t think you know what you’re getting into by dating me.”
He tugs me closer to him, settling his arms around my waist. I lift mine to drape around his neck, toying with the hair there. “I think your family is great. The way you care for them is one of the things I love most about you.”
My movements cease. I meet his indigo eyes. “Love?” I whisper.
His smile turns a little shy, but there’s a certainty in his gaze that makes my pulse speed up. “Yes, love. I love you, Jasmine. I love the way your hair is always falling into your face, and how you cook to express all your big emotions. I love how you take care of your friends. I even love your insults when we’re playing chess.”
I let out a little laugh at that, but it comes out choked because of the emotion in my throat.
“I can’t do anything without thinking about you, and I don’t want to spend a day apart from you either,” Shepherd continues. “I think I’ve been falling for you since the day I saw you playing Grayson in chess, and every interaction since then multiplied my feelings.”
I tug him down for a gentle kiss, pressing our foreheads together. “I love you too, Shepherd. I didn’t want to fall for you, but you made it impossible not to. You’re kind, thoughtful, and caring. You make me laugh and feel safe. Each time I see you, from the very first time, I get butterflies.”
I feel Shepherd smile against my lips before capturing them in a kiss. Everything settles in that moment. All of my anxiety over the future dissolves like salt in pasta water. There’s only me and Shepherd and the autumn breeze combing through my hair.
We break apart, and I smile when Shepherd brushes his nose against mine.
“What do you say to me taking you on a real date? No sneaking around necessary.”
“I would love that,” I breathe.
“I don’t think I want to go to a restaurant, though. You’ve ruined me for all food that isn’t made by you.”
I giggle. “I love you.”
He brushes his nose against mine again. “I love you too, Chef.”
“For the last time, I’mnota chef,” I groan.
He smiles as he whispers, “Yet.”
Epilogue
