Page 31 of Taste Of You

“She’s a remarkable young woman who deserves a man who will love her unconditionally.” Ana takes the now crumpled papers from my hand and places them on a small cabinet near us. Taking my hands in hers, she gives them a tug, and I look down at her. “Someone that will cherish her without restraint. Are you that person? Can you be?”

“I’m the only fucking one.”

Ana nods. She’s fighting a smile. “Millie is afraid, Jet, and convincing her won’t be easy this time.”

“Where is she?”

“At home. She’s spending the day with her cutie of a niece.”

“I have to see her.” Can’t wait until tomorrow. Need her now. “Apologize, demand, and beg if it comes to that.”

“Good. Then go be stubborn enough for the two of you.”

Doing the right thing is hard.

At times, it seems almost more than I can manage, but I do. For her I will do anything.

I let her down once, but never again. Never again will she be apart from me, from the love and safety I will provide until my last breath.

And even then, I will leave her protected and wanting for nothing until it’s her time to follow me into our next life.

So, instead of running to my girl’s house and making things right between us, I spend the day catching up on the work I’ve been neglecting in my brooding. I make sure that everything is done and with the wrapping of a perfect bow, so I can close this place down for a day. I don’t care about the money I will lose or the payroll hours I will gift the staff for understanding.

Besides, my Millie deserves a day to relax before I pounce. Her feelings and wants will always come before my own, and that starts now.

She’s worth the extra day of waiting, and so much more. Her, and the little girl who I plan to make mine as well.

I’m in it for the long haul.

Want it all.

Marriage, babies, and adoption of the sweet child who lost her mother so young. With me, they’ll never need for anything. They will live a happy and full life filled with sweet moments. Memories overflowing with love.

“I’ll never give her a reason to doubt me. My commitment,” I whisper, tapping the light blue box inside my pocket. It was my mother’s, and after swinging by my safety deposit box, I brought it with me.

Felt right to.

Last night, after exhausting myself, I dreamed of her walking toward me in a beautiful white dress while rounded with my child, a beautiful piece of me and her that will tie her to me for the rest of our lives.

It’s a decadent desire that I want to become our reality, and soon. It also made me dissect my reaction to her niece that night.

This has never been about seeing her with the small kid or the lie, to be honest. Everything but infidelity can be forgiven with good reason.

There isn’t—and never was—any malicious intent within her lies.

At the end of the day, I was overcome with jealousy. The thought that someone else had her. Took what is mine.

When it comes to Millie, I’m angry at the wind for so much as blowing through her hair. And it’s a bitter pill to swallow, while I acknowledge that I need to humble myself when it comes to her. Because the truth is, that for as much as she owes me an apology, I need to give her one as well.

So, I left them alone to enjoy a day of junk food and movies. Took my time to think things through and make decisions that will impact everyone in this new familial nucleus.

If she forgives you.

She has to. No choice.

Neither of us ever stood a chance against the inexplicable force that pulls us together. We’re sudden. Crazy. All consuming, but oh so right.

I’ll make her happy. Take away the pain and worry she lives with every single day.

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