Page 83 of One Time Only (One Time Only 1)
“Yes, did you tell him how you really feel?” Nadia choruses.
I scratch my jaw, flashing back to yesterday.
Did I? How could I not have said it? “I mean, sure. I’m sure I did,” I say, but I choke on my words because as soon as they come out, the gong rings and I realize—“I didn’t say a word. I simply said, ‘You’re right. We should end this. We always planned to.’”
Zane scoffs. “Brilliant move.”
Nadia pats my hand.
I groan, gripping my forehead. “I let him walk out the door. I let him get on the plane. I let him ride off into the sunset without telling him he’s the love of my life.” I raise my face. “What the hell is wrong with me?”
“Hmm. How much time do you have?” Zane asks.
“Seriously, guys. Do you really think that’ll change things? If I tell him?”
“Well, it can’t make it worse,” Nadia says.
“How can you expect the man to make a hard choice unless he has all the facts?” Zane puts in. “I couldn’t make the choice to leave Dad and his business until I had all the facts in front of me.”
Nadia reaches for my arm, squeezing. “Maybe he didn’t want to sneak around. Maybe he wants to be your boyfriend, but he feels like your sidepiece. Maybe he feels like your mistress. What if he doesn’t know that he’s the love of your life?” Her voice breaks on the question, and her eyes swim with tears. “You idiot. Do you know how lucky you are? Do you know how rare it is to meet the love of your life? Tell him. Then at least he’ll have all the facts to make the choice.”
I spring to my feet, energy propelling me. “You’re right. I need to find him and tell him.”
I fish for my phone in my pocket, but when I try to call him, he doesn’t answer.
“Dammit,” I curse.
Nadia holds up a hand. “Maybe this is a good thing.”
I stab the table with my finger. “How? I just figured out where I fucked up. I need to fix it stat.”
She rolls her eyes. “Stone. You literally just decided to tell him you love him. Let’s make sure you tell him in the right way at the right time.” She taps her wrist. “Because you have a charity event and then a concert.”
My shoulders sag, and I exhale heavily, then sniff myself. “I need to shower and get dressed. Should I tell him at the start of his shift?”
Zane arches a brow. “Didn’t you say you had an interview to do as well? I’m guessing Candi will be there, then you have the event, then the concert.”
I drag a hand down my face. “You two are geniuses, and I love you and hate you.”
Because there is a way to tell someone you love him, and I’m going to do this right.34JacksonMy phone flashes with a text message as I practice my Spanish.
My heart jumps in the hope that it’s Stone.
But when I click over to my app, it’s my sister.
I’m happy to hear from her. I’m happy to hear from her. I’m happy to hear from her.Bethany: So, tell me stuff. How is everything going? Is there going to be a Jackstone any day soon?Jackson: I don’t think so.Three seconds later, my phone rings.
I answer it, and Bethany launches at me. “What happened?”
I heave a sigh. “I ended it.”
An epic wail across the halls of time pierces my eardrums. “Why?”
“Because I work for him.”
“Ugh. You make me crazy.”
“Bethany, this is the real world,” I say, frustration coloring my tone. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I put the brakes on things, and I don’t feel an ounce better. But soon I will. I have to. “I have to earn a living. But more than that, what happens next? Do you think I’ll ever get another job again? This is the worst line I can cross in my profession. It’s the golden rule—never ever fall for your client. And I did it. And this could haunt me for the rest of my life.”
She sighs in the way only a teenager can—egregiously. “Jackson, you lost your partner. The man you love died. He died.”
“I know that,” I bite out. “What does Fabian have to do with Stone?”
“You were devastated,” she soldiers on. “You were broken, and that man didn’t even respect your wishes. And now, you’re not devastated. You’re not miserable. You’re the opposite. Stone makes you happy. Ridiculously happy. Happier than you’ve ever been with anyone. And you’re going to throw it away because of a rule?”
“It’s kind of an important rule,” I say with a huff, even though my heart is slamming against my rib cage—because I am happy with Stone.
Was.
I was happy.
But I’ll be happy again.
“Love is an important rule,” she says. “Love is the most important rule of all—love, just love. Do you love him?”
